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THE GREAT CHARGE AND ARTILLERY FIGHTINGAT GETTYSBURG.
BY E. PORTER ALEXANDER , BRIG A DIE R-GENE Ii A L, G. S. A.
r pHE Reserve Artillery of Longstreet’s corps, in the Gettysburg campaign,
consisted of the Washington Artillery of New Orleans , then nnderMajor Eshleman, nine guns, and my own battalion of twenty-six guns.Besides these, the artillery of the corps comprised Cabell’s, Henry’s, andBearing’s battalions of eighteen guns each. The latter battalions wereUsually attached, on the march, respectively to McLaws ’s,- Hood’s, and Pickett’sdivisions of infantry.
On the first of July, 1863, the Reserve Artillery was encamped near Green-wood, and we had no idea that the great battle of the campaign had alreadyopened about eighteen miles away. Early in the night, however, rumorsCached us that Hill’s corps had been heavily engaged, and that Ewell’s hadoorne to his assistance; that the enemy had been driven some distance, but■Lad finally made a stand in a very strong position. These rumors were soonfollowed by orders for the artillery to march at 1 o’clock for the front. ThereWas little time for sleep before taking the road, and I think but few improvedev en that little. There was the usual lively interest, of course, to hear offhe personal fortunes of friends in the two corps which had been engaged.Who was killed and who safe t Then there was no one so dull as not toappreciate the tremendous gravity to us of the results of the battle which theUext day was to bring. We had penetrated farther into the enemy’s countrythan ever before. Our only communication with our arsenals and depots wasby an unguarded wagon-road to Staunton, Virginia , about two hundred miles,°ver mountains and across unbridged rivers; much of it through a hostilee °untry, and all of it liable to cavalry raids by the enemy. But we felt thatWe were now, somehow, nearer the enemy’s heart than we had ever beenbefore,— within easy reach of some vital part,— and that a blow struck now■^ust have many times the effect it would have if given in Virginia againstonly
an invading army. Our confidence in Lee was, of course, supreme,an< I the opportune arrival of Ewell to Hill’s aid gave fresh confirmation of
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