 It
is after the bitter fighting of July 2nd; the Confederates lick their wounds.
Longstreet visits the severely wounded Hood in a Confederate field hospital. Hood again
insists "We should've gone to the right." Later, Lee obliquely criticizes
Longstreet's handling of the attack. He says, "The attacks were not properly
coordinated." Longstreet lets it slide, but once again recommends the army maneuver
to get between the Federals and Washington to make the Yankees do the attacking. Late that
afternoon, the long absent J.E.B. Stewart finally returns to the Confederate lines.
Many officers in this war had been fast friends with those on the other
side. This irony is highlighted here by the friendship between Brigadier General
Armistead, one of Pickett’s brigade commanders and Union General Hancock, whose Corps
will face the brunt of the attack tomorrow. Armistead fondly recalls his friendship and
gives Longstreet a small package for Myra Hancock "in the event of my death."
Just a mile across the way, Hancock also remembers and wonders about Armistead.
 Lee lays out his
plan for the attack on July 3rd. Massed artillery will blast the Federal
center, then 15,000 of his most rested men will smash into and break the Federal line,
dividing Meade’s army in two. It will be the charge that can win the war. Longstreet
again expresses his doubts. "I believe this attack will fail. No 15,000 men ever made
can take that ridge." Lee overrides him. The Federals are weak in the center, the
artillery will clear the way. Longstreet reluctantly issues the orders.
The Confederate artillery opens fire and pounds the Union lines for
nearly two hours. The Federals returned the fire as officers on both sides tried to steady
the men. Union General Hancock calmly rode along line, his Corps colors fluttering in the
breeze beside him, as artillery shells whizzed overhead and burst around him. Finally,
Longstreet allows the charge to go forward.
 The long gray lines of Confederate infantry formed out in the
meadow and peered a mile across to the Federal lines. Pickett - "Up, men, and to your
posts! Don't forget today that you are from Old Virginia!" And Armistead - "
Virginians! Virginians! For your land - for your homes - for your sweethearts - for your
wives - for Virginia! Forward... march!"
And they marched across that open field toward the Yankee lines. The
artillery took them under long-range fire almost immediately, tearing great gaps as they
went forward.  They climbed over a wooden fence part way across, even fewer now
than there were before. As they got closer, the Yankee infantry opened up with rifle fire.
At long last they reached the Yankee position, some even fought their way over the wall
and in among the enemy. But there were too few and too many determined defenders who would
not be driven away. The Yankees counter attacked and the survivors melted back across the
meadow.
As they returned, Lee and Longstreet when out and met them. Lee went
among them apologizing. "It's all my fault. I thought we were invincible ..... we
must rest now ..... never let them see you run." He ordered the army to withdraw to
Virginia. "We will do better another time." |
