Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 39.djvu/199

 Armistead at the Battle of Gettysburg. 187

leached the enemy's guns between the two lines in the bloody angle, thus sealing with his life's blood the high water mark of the rebellion.

As Armistead was carried from the field he met Hancock as he was hurrying to the front. They recognized each other, and Hancock dismounted and grasped his hand and told him how sorry he was to see him wounded. Armistead returned his kindly expression and told him the wound was mortal and that he had on his person some things that he wished to entrust to him to be returned when opportunity presented to his people in Virginia. Hancock accepted the commission and tried to per- suade Armistead to look upon the bright side, that he probably was not so seriously hurt as he feared, excused himself by saying he was compelled to hurry to the front, left Armistead, promis- ing to see him next day. In a short time he was wounded him- self and they never met again.

This was related to me as I lay on the ground back of the bat- tle line where hundreds of wounded were carried after the fight, by one of Hancock's staff, who rode up just about dusk and found a number of men congregated about me. When he found I w^as a badly wounded "Johnny P-cb" Colonel he dismounted, drove everybody away that I might have fresh air, and com- menced a conversation.

When he found tthat I was of Armistead's Brigade, he said, "Armistead, Armistead. I have just left him, he is mortally wounded," and then related the above, and said, "I will have you taken care of," etc.

'Armistead lingered through the 4th and died on the 5th, leav- ing an example of patriotism, heroism and devotion to duty which ought to be handed down through the ages.

Here's my heart and hand.

Sincerely and truly,

R. W. Martin,

Pittsylvania Tribune. [See Vol. XXXVH, p. 144-— Ed.J