Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 39.djvu/18

 6 Southern Historical Society Papers.

ability of his own plans. As an executive officer he was un- surpassed. He aflvised me in the beginning of my career with him, always, of course, to obey orders, but never to volunteer to do anything. The battle of Gettysburg v^as lost by Long- street's failure to attack early in the morning of the second day, when we were up and ready (except General Lawton's Brigade. which arrived at 1 1 A. M. and Pickett's Division, which came too late for that day) and the enemy was scattered for twenty- five miles. He (Longstreet) attacked at 4 P. M. and naturally encountered the whole army before the evening closed, which had, during the unpardonable delay, taken possession of Little Round Top (the key) with Artillery, as well as all other avail- able defensive points. Had he attacked early in the morning, nothing earthly could have saved the enemy from defeat, and •there v/ould have been no third day at Gettysburg.

The salient at Spottsylvania Court House, May 12th, w^as lost, as you state, by my Artillery being ordered out the even- ing before, under the supposition that the enemy was moving by flank, as reported by the Cavalry. Hancock told General Harry Heth he had 30,000 troops in the attack — the point being selected because of a notable white house on his side, as a cen- tral point. He was not aware of the salient. He also expressed the opinion that he could have carried the salient, even though the Artillery had been in position, when he attacked. It would be a sufficient reply to his surmise to say that neither he nor any one else ever saw a line of Artillery of the Army of Northern Virginia intrenched, supported by Infantry, and with open front, carried by front attack. I challenge the citation of a single instance during the war, no matter what the num- ber of lines and troops in the attacking column — when the front lines go down those in rear are not eager to come along — the moral effect being many times greater than the physical.

General Ewell was a superb rider. His physical condition was greatly impaired by the loss of his leg. I recall most vividly his pale and anaemic face both at Gettysburg and Spott- svlvania T.attles. His courage was of the most constant and