Southern Historical Society Papers, Volume 31.
Reverend J. William Jones, Ed.

[353] relied on entirely, it would seem, by the advocates of North Carolina's claims, can be found than by contrasting General Lane's report with what is said by Captain Louis G. Young (now of Savannah, Ga., a gallant and gifted Confederate, who was in the charge as an aide on General Pettigrew's staff), in an address recently delivered by him on Gettysburg, a copy of which he has kindly furnished us. Captain Young says:

‘General Trimble and his brigade (division) were not, and had not been in supporting distance; they must also have been delayed, as was Davis' Brigade, in the woods on Seminary ridge. Be this as it may, they were too late to give any assistance to the assaulting column. When I delivered my message, I knew it was too late, and I recall my sad reflection, “What a pity that these brave men should be sacrificed!” Already had the remnant of Pickett's and Heth's Divisions broken. They broke simultaneously. They had together struck the stone fence, driven back the enemy posted behind it, looked down on the multitude beyond, and, in the words of General McLaws, who was watching the attack, “rebounded like an India rubber ball.” The lodgment effected was only for an instant. Not twenty minutes elapsed, as claimed by some, before the handful of braves were driven back by overwhelming numbers. Then Trimble's command should have been ordered to the rear. It continued its useless advance alone, only to return before it had gone as far as we had.’ (Italics ours.)

It will be seen that this statement is (unintentionally, we know) not only at variance with the report of General Lane, but also with those of Generals Lee and Longstreet, both of whom confirm General Lane in the statement that Pettigrew's men gave way before those of Pickett did.

But let us quote again from the official reports, and this time from that of Colonel Lowrence, who, it will be remembered, commanded Scale's North Carolina Brigade, which was supporting Pettigrew. He says:

“We advanced upon the enemy's line, which was in full view, at a distance of a mile. Now their whole line of artillery was playing upon us, which was on an eminence in front, strongly fortified and supported by infantry.” * * * ‘All went forward with a cool and steady step; but ere we had advanced over two-thirds of the way, troops from the front came tearing through our ranks (italics ours) which caused many of our men to break, but with the remaining ’