Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-09-14
RECALLING PICKETT'S CHARGE.


While so far from the seat of action. one can bu1
family grasp the awfulness of of the charges
that have been made, army against army. in the
great European struggle The destruction of prop
erty and lives is beyond comprehension, The dark
ened screen gives us a vivid insight of the results
left in the wake of wars ebbng flowing tide, and
the dispatches have told of the awful slaughter
when foe met foe
But with all this the European war presents nc
incident which compares with the famous charge
of General Pickett at the battle of Gettysburg Nc
war since has given to the world an episode OF
greater daring than this one.
The charge that will go down in history as one
never equaled in its day, made the after
noon of July 3, 1863, by division of the arm, OF
Northern Virginia. under the leadership of Gen
eral Edward Pickett, the objective point being the
capture of Cemetery Ridge. most advantageous
position then held by the Federal troops under Gen
eral Warren.
This famous charge at Cemetery Ridge has been
the theme and subject of countless writer's, who
lived at that day and could grasp its awfulness its
pathetic and humanitarian aspects.
For two days the fight had waged at Gettysburg
with neither side claiming any advantage, but with
a determination to continue on tie morrow the
awful work of the two days gone. If there was
shade Of favor it was with the Federal troops who
were fighting on their own ground.
The break of dawn on the morning of July :
found a Gordon of Federal troops with batteries
driving johnson from his position on the right
Reinforced by Stuarts cavalry. and a fresh div
sion under General Pickett, which had come up dur
ing the night, General Lee determined upon charge
against the Union lines that would pic ce the cen
ter of that army.
Two brigades of Pender's division, divisions I'M
der Pettigrew and Pickett, were formed for column
of attack. General Pickett in command led the at
lacking column forward. The Confederates had
assembled all their strength for this des
perate effort that to sweep the Union forces
before them like chaff or NOW them down like
grain. Selecting an hour when thensun was on the
down course and somewhat at the backs of his men
General Pickett gave his order for the troops to
rush the ridge.
In some places they actually lifted up and pushed
back the Union lines, but that terrible onslaught
could not continue at the awful toll of lives that
was being collected by the Federal troops, who
stood their ground to a man.
The Union commanders awaited the impact. being
for some time aware of the intention of the Con
federate forces, and gave their command in low but
very distinct tones: "Steady, men. steady. Don't
fire yet" and not shot was fired until the rush
ing column had advanced so close that the expires
sion on their faces could be seen. then aiming low
the Union troops poured a whitening fire upon the
column. Nothing human could have
faced it and lived. The Confederate soldiers seem
ed to melt and drift away 1t was at this psyche
logical moment General Hancock gave the order to
the Union troops, Forward. men, Now is your
chance" and forward they went. And in that
short space of terrible fighting page of history was
made that will live forever. The charge of Pickett
and his men is written on that page. and it will
be classed with the Noble Six Hundred at Bala
klaya, whose bravery and devotion are familiar his
tory to every child
So will always live the charge of Pickett and his
men, who walked into the jaws Of death at Gene
terry Ridge.