Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 31.djvu/359

 North Carolina and Virginia. 351

or render the necessary support to the attacking party. Owing to this fact, which was unknown to me when the assault took place, the enemy was enabled to throw a strong force of infantry against our left, already wavering (italics ours) under a concentrated fire of artillery from the ridge in front and from 'cemetery hill on the left. It (the left), finally gave way, and the right, after penetrating the enemy' s lines, entering his advance works, and capturing some of his artillery, was attacked simultaneously in front and on both flanks, and driven back with heavy loss."

We have only to remember that Pettigrew's Division was on the left and Pickett's on the right to understand clearly what General Lee here says. We next quote from General Longstreet's report, who was standing not very far from General Lee, and saw the whole movement. He says:

"The advance was made in very handsome style, all the troops keeping their lines accurately, and taking the fire of the batteries with coolness and deliberation. About half-way between our posi- tion and that of the enemy, a ravine partially sheltered our troops from the enemy's fire, where a short halt was made for rest. The advance was resumed after a moment's pause, all still in good order. The enemy's batteries soon opened on our lines with canister, and our left seemed to stagger under it, but the advance was resumed, and with the same degree of steadiness. Pickett's troops did not appear to be checked by the batterie's, and only halted to deliver a fire when close under musket range. Major-General Anderson's Division was ordered forward to support and assist the wavering columns of Pettigrew and Trimble. Picket? s troops, after deliver- ing fire, advanced to the charge, and entered the enemy' s lines, cap- turing some of his batteries, and gained his works. About the same moment, the troops that had before hesitated, broke their ranks and fell back in great disorder (italics ours), many more falling under the enemy's fire in retiring than while they were attacking. This gave the enemy time to throw his entire force upon Pickett (italics ours), with a strong prospect of being able to break up his lines or destroy him before Anderson's Division could reach him, which would in its turn have greatly exposed Anderson. He was, there- fore, ordered to halt. In a few moments the enemy, marching against both flanks and the front of Pickett's Division, overpowered it and drove it back, capturing about half of those of it who were not killed or wounded."