TY A SSE NS ap. sn a he a ——

 

 

 

 

 

 

564 NortH Carotina Troops, 1861-65.

of Burnside, Pope and Nathaniel P. Banks. We can-
not wonder at Trimble’s language to Lane: “If the troops
I. had the honor to command today (Lane’s and Seales’
Brigades) couldn’t take that position, all hell can’t take it.”
General Trimble denies that he used the profane language at-
tributed to him by General Lane, but says he “used some em-
phatic expression of commendation,” ete. There are men
who, as Wellington says, never even “stumble on the truth.”
A certain writer, whose name I am glad I do not know, says:
“The right (Pickett) behaved gloriously; the left (Petti-
grew) faltered and fled. Each body acted according to its
nature, for they were made of different stuff; the one of com-
mon earth, the other of finest clay. Pettigrew’s men were
North Carolinians, Pickett’s were superb Virginians.” This
man ought to be sent to the insane asylum. I cannot reply
to such childish twaddle. Has this man ever read Lee’s gen-
eral order as to the conduct of certain troops? I forbear.
General Trimble, who commanded Lane’s and Scales’ Brig-

ades on the third day, says: ‘We passed over the remnant of
their line (Pettigrew’s) and immediately after some one close
by my left sung out, ‘three cheers for the Old North State,’
when both brigades (Scales’ and Lanes’) sent up a hearty
shout, on which I said to my aid, “Charley, I believe those

fine fellows are going into the enemy’s line.” My men

(Lane’s and Scales’ Brigades) were the last to leave the field.
This I know as I rode in the line between the two Brigades
(Lane’s and Scales’) from the start down to the Emmetts-
burg road, passing over the wreck of Heth’s Division (Pet-
tigrew’s). Before my line recoiled under a concentrated fire
from my front and left, I looked to the right where Pickett’s
men had been seen to advance and beheld nothing but isolated
and scattered remnants of that splendid line. * * *

Thus I am sure that my command continued the contest some
time after Pickett’s force had been dispersed. General Trim-
ble in these statements is substantially supported by Gen-
eral Lane and Colonel Avery, of the Thirty-third. These of-
ficers say the “whole right had given way” before Lane’s
Brigade left the field. General, Trimble says further: “No
one acquainted with the fact can, for a moment, doubt the