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all threatened, one of the divisions of
Hood and
McLaws, and the greater portion of the other, could be removed out of the lines and be made to take part in the attack.
Indeed, it was designed, originally, that the two divisions last named, reinforced by
Pickett, should make the attack; and it was only because of the apprehensions of
General Longstreet that his corps was not strong enough for the movement, that
General Hill was called on to reinforce him. Orders were sent to
General Hill to place
Heth's Division and two brigades of
Pender's at
General Longstreet's disposal, and to be prepared to give him further assistance if requested.
The assault was to have been made with a column of not less than two divisions, and the remaining divisions were to have been moved forward in support of those in advance.
This was the result of the conference alluded to, as understood by me.
Lieutenant General A. P. Hill appears to have had the same impression, for he says, in his report of the operations of his corps at this time:
I was directed to hold my line with Anderson's Division and the half of Pender's, now commanded by General Lane, and to order Heth's Division, commanded by Pettigrew, and Lane's and Scales' Brigades, of Pender's Division, to report to Lieutenant General Longstreet, as a support to his corps, in the assault on the enemy's lines.
General Longstreet proceeded at once to make the dispositions for attack, and
General Lee rode along the portion of the line held by
A. P. Hill's Corps, and finally took position about the
Confederate centre, on an elevated point, from which he could survey the field and watch the result of the movement.
After a heavy artillery fire along the entire line, and at a given signal, the movement began, but the plan agreed on was not carried out. The only troops that participated in the attack were the divisions of
Pickett (First Corps) and
Heth (Third Corps)-the latter, since the wounding of
General Heth, commanded by
General Pettigrew-and thy brigades of
Lane,
Scales, and
Wilcox.
The two divisions were formed in advance, the three brigades as their support.
The divisions of
Hood and
McLaws (First Corps) were passive spectators of the movement.
To one who observed the charge, it appeared that
Pettigrew's line was not a continuation of that of
Pickett, but that it advanced in
echelon.
It would seem that there was some confusion in forming the troops, for
Captain Louis (r. Young, of
General Pettigrew's staff, says:
On the morning of the 3d of July, General Pettigrew, commanding Heth's Division, was instructed to report to General Longstreet, who directed him to form in the rear of Pickett's Division, and support his advance upon Cemetery Hill, which would be commenced as soon as the fire from our artillery should have driven the
