Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 20.djvu/201

 Presentation of Statue of A. P. Hill. 195

marches to and from Pennsylvania, the utmost fortitude and patient endurance, under fatigue, and zeal and gallantry in action."

General Long in his life of General Lee says, in speaking of the work at Gettysburg :

" There ensued one of the most tremendous engagements ever witnessed on an open field ; the hills shook and quivered beneath the thunder of two hundred and twenty-five guns as if they were about to be torn and rent by some powerful convulsion. In the words of General Hancock, in reference to the performance of the opposing batteries, their artillery fire was the most terrific cannon- ade and the most prolonged, one possibly hardly ever paralleled. For more than an hour this fierce artillery conflict continued, when the Federal guns began to slacken their fire under the heavy blows of the Confederate batteries, and ere long sank into silence."

General Howard in an article in the Atlantic Monthly, in speaking of the effect produced by this splendid work of the artillery at Gettysburg, says : " I have thought that the fearful exposure of Gen- eral Meade's headquarters, where so much havoc was occasioned by the enemy's artillery, had so impressed him, that he did not at first realize the victory he had won."

But Gettysburg was not the only field of which I wish to speak. In his report of the first battle of Fredericksburg, General Lee says: " The artillery rendered efficient service on every part of the field, and greatly assisted in the defeat of the enemy. The batteries were exposed to an unusually heavy fire of artillery and infantry, which officers and men sustained with coolness and courage worthy of the highest praise."

In his report of the Battle of Chancellorsville, he says: " To the skillful and efficient management of the artillery, the successful issue of the contest is in a great measure due. The ground was not favorable for its employment, but every suitable position was taken with alacrity, and the operations of the infantry supported and assisted with a spirit and courage not second to their own. It bore a prominent part in the final assault which ended in driving the enemy from the field of Chancellorsville, silencing his batteries, and by a destructive enfilade fire upon his works, opened the way for the advance of our troops.

"Colonels Crutchfield, Alexander and Walker, and Lieutenant- Col-