Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 31.djvu/363

 North Carolina and Virginia. 355

odds. We therefore fell back to our original position in rear of the batteries."

It will be seen that this officer does not claim that any of his men entered the works, or that the troops on his right (Pickett's and Archer's) gave way first; but those on his left, the other two brig- ades of Pettigrew's Division. The reports of Generals A. P. Hill, Heth and Davis throw no light on the question, and we have been unable to find any report from General Pickett, or from any officer of his division, except that of Major Charles S. Peyton, of Garnett's Brigade, which would throw any light on this question. Major Pey- ton says this:

11 Our line, much shattered, still kept up the advance until within about twenty paces of the wall, when, for a moment, it recoiled under the terrific fire that poured into our ranks both from their batteries and from their sheltered infantry. At this moment Genera Kemper came up on the right and General Armistead in rear, when the three lines, joining in concert, rushed forward with unyielding determination and an apparent spirit of laudable rivalry to plant the Southern banner on the walls of the enemy. His strongest and last line was instantly gained; the Confederate battle-flag waved over his defences, and the fighting over the wall became hand to hand, and of the most desperate character; but more than half having already fallen, our line was found too weak to rout the enemy. We hoped for a support on the left (which had started simultaneously with our- selves), but hoped in vain (italics ours). Yet a small remnant re- mained in desperate struggle, receiving a fire in front, on the right, and on the left, many even climbing over the wall and fighting the enemy in his own trenches until entirely surrounded, and those who were not killed or wounded were captured, with the exception of about 300 who came off slowly, but greatly scattered, the identity of every regiment being entirely lost, and every regimental com- mander killed or wounded."

Colonel Walter H. Taylor, of General Lee's staff, who was on the field standing by General Lee and saw the movement, says:

" It is needless to say a word here of the heroic conduct of Pick- ett's Division, that charge has already passed into history as ' one of the world's great deeds of arms.' While doubtless many brave men