The Gettysburg Chnr.j.. 237
cannonade that preceded the infantry, were unable to reply, or ren- der the necessary support to the attacking party. Owing to //n's fact, which was unknown to me when the assault took place, the enemy was enabled to throw a strong force of infantry against our left, already wavering under a concentrated fire of artillery from the ridge in front, and from Cemetery Hill on the left. It finally gave uay, and the right, after penetrating the enemy's lines, entering his advance works, and capturing some of his artillery, was attacked simultaneously in front and on both flanks, and driven back with heavy loss."
There is no obscurity in the language of General Lee. The artil- lery did not render the necessary support, and, in consequence of this fact, the assault was a disastrous failure. This must be regarded as a complete vindication of the infantry. No blame can be attached to the officers and men of the artillery service participating in this fearful battle. They did their work nobly.
IS NO IDLE BOAST.
Taking into consideration the facts referred to in this paper, nearly all of which are from the official records, it will be seen that it was no vain boast of General Lee when he said of " Pickett's charge": "If they had been supported, as they were to have been, we would have held the position, and the day would have been ours."
It is perfectly apparent that General Lee attributed the defeat of Pickett solely to the failure of the batteries to advance as ordered ; aud it is equally certain that had the General been informed of the fact that the supply of ammunition was exhaused, the advance would not have been made at all.
