While this has no real connection with the work in hand, still, since the “Charge of Pickett,” has gone in song and story, as the most gallant, dashing, and bloody of modern times, I am tempted here to digress somewhat, and give, as far as I am able, an impartial account of this memorable combat, being an eye witness.  While Pickett led the storming party, in person, still the planning and details were entrusted to another head, namely, General Longstreet.  In justice to him I will say he was opposed to this useless sacrifice of life and limb.  In his memoirs he tells how he pleaded with Lee, to relieve him from the responsibility of command, and when the carnage was at its zenith, riding through the hail from three hundred cannons and shells bursting under and over him, the Old Chieftain says, “I raised my eyes heavenward and prayed that one of these shots might lay me low and relieve me from this awful responsibility.”  While I would, by no word, or intimation detract one iota from the justly earned fame of the great Virginian, nor the brave men under him, still it is but equal justice to remember and record that there were other Generals and troops from other States as justly meritorious and deserving of honor as participants in the great charge, as Pickett and his Virginians.  On the day before, Kershaw, in the battle before little “Round Top,” Semmes to the right, Wofford and Barksdale in front of the peach orchard and up the deadly gorge around Little Round Top to say nothing of Hood at Round Top, charged and held in close battle, two thirds of the Army of the Potomac, without any support whatever.  See now how Pickett was braced and supported.  Cemetery Ridge was a long ridge of considerable elevation, on which, and behind it the enemy was marshalled in mass; opposite this ridge was another of less eminence, and one mile, or near so, distant, behind which the Confederates were concentrating for the assault.  Longstreet moved McLaws up near to the right of the assaulting columns in two lines, Semmes and Wofford in the front and Barksdale and Kershaw in the rear lines as support.  I continue to retain the names of the Brigade Commanders to designate the troops, although Barksdale and Semmes had fallen the day before.

Kemper and Garnett were on the right of the assaulting column, with Armstead as support, all Virginians and of Pickett’s Division.  Wilcox, with his Alabama Brigade was to move some distance in rear of Pickett’s right to take any advantage of the break in the line, and to protect Pickett’s flank.  On the left of Pickett, and on the line of attack was Heath’s Division, commanded by General Pettigrew, composed of Archer’s Brigade, of Alabama and Tennesseeans, Pettigrew’s, North Carolina, Brockenborro’s, Virginia, and Davis’ Brigade, composed of three Mississippi Regiments and one North Carolina, with Scales’ and Lanes’ North Carolina Brigade in support.  Hood and McLaws guarding the right and A.P.  Hill the left.  I repeat it, was there ever an assaulting column better braced or supported?