Early Contemporary Accounts on the Fate of Confederate Brig. Gen. Richard Brooke Garnett in the Battle of Gettysburg

Abstract

At 2,30 p. m., the artillery fi re having to some extent abated, the order to advance was given, fi rst by MajorGeneral Pickett in person, and repeated by General Garnett with promptness, apparent cheerfulness, and alacrity. Th e brigade moved forward at quick time. Th e ground was open, but little broken, and from 800 to 1,000 yards from the crest whence we started to the enemy’s line. Th e brigade moved in good order, keeping up its line almost perfectly, notwithstanding it had to climb three high post and rail fences, behind the last of which the enemy’s skirmishers were fi rst met and immediately drive in. Moving on, we soon met the advance line of the enemy, lying concealed in the grass on the slope, about 100 yards in front of his second line, which consisted of a stone wall about breast high, running nearly parallel to and about 30 paces from the crest of the hill, which was lined with their artillery. Th e fi rst line referred to above, aft er off ering some resistance, was completely routed, and driven in confusion back to the stone wall. Here we captured some prisoners, which were ordered to the rear without a guard. Having routed the enemy here, General Garnett ordered the brigade forward, which it promptly obeyed, loading and fi ring as it advanced. Up to this time we had suffered but little from the enemy’s batteries, which apparently had been much crippled previous to our advance, with the exception of one posted on Early Contemporary Accounts on the Fate of Confederate Brig. Gen. Richard Brooke Garnett in the Battle of Gettysburg