Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 32.djvu/202

 190 Southern Historical Society Papers.

in the battle of Gettysburg. He says as follows, concerning that battle:

The nth Virginia Infantry arrived near Gettysburg, marching from Chambersburg on the afternoon of July 2d, 1863. We halted in sight of shells bursting in the front.

Very early on the morning of the 3d July we formed in rear of the Confederate artillery near Spurgeon's woods, where we lay for many hours. I noticed on the early morning as we were taking positions the long shadows cast by the figures of the men, their legs appearing to lengthen immediately as the shadows fell.

The nth Virginia was the right regiment of Kemper's Brigade and of Pickett's Division. No notable event occurred in the morn- ing, nor was there any firing of note near us that specially attracted my attention.

SIGNAL GUNS.

About i o'clock there was the fire of signal guns, and there were outbursts of artillery on both sides. Our artillery on the immediate front of the regiment was on the crest of the ridge, and our infantry line was from one to 250 yards in rear of it.

We suffered considerable loss before we moved. I had twenty - nine men in my company for duty that morning. Edward Valen- tine and two Jennings brothers (William Jennings) of my company were killed; De Witt Guy, sergeant, was wounded, and some of the men a man now and a man then were also struck and sent to the rear before we moved forward I think about ten killed and wounded in that position. Company E, on my right, lost more seriously than Company G, and was larger in number.

LONGSTREET'S PRESENCE.

Just before the artillery fire ceased General Longstreet rode in a walk between the artillery and the infantry, in front of the regiment toward the left and disappeared down the line. He was as quiet as an old farmer riding over his plantation on a Sunday morning, and looked neither to the right or left.

It had been known for hours that we were to assail the enemy's lines in front. We fully expected to take them.

Presently the artillery ceased firing. Attention ! was the com- mand. Our skirmishers were thrown to the front, and "forward, quick time, march," was the word given. We were ordered not to fire until so commanded. Lieutenant-Colonel Kirkwood Otey