"240 Southern Historical Society Papers.
unhurt held their ground, hoping, but in vain, for support, until they were killed or captured by the fresh troops of the Federals that were pushed forward to restore the broken lines. No charge could have been more gallant. Looking at it now, after a lapse of years, with calm reflection, I think I may say, no commendation given by writers concerning this celebrated charge of Pickett's Division has ever exceeded the truth."
Thirty years after the surrender, as far as could be ascertained, there were surviving of the 145 men of Company G, scattered from Virginia to Texas, thirty-six. Of these, Captain Richard Irby and Lieutenant Richard Ferguson, are the only surviving commissioned officers.
The above items were gathered from a " Historical Sketch" of the company, published in 1878 by the surviving captain, with the aid of Lieutenant Ferguson.
[From the Richmond Times, July 12, 1896.]
PETITION FOR MR. DAVIS' RELEASE.
To the Editor of the Times :
SIR, Every incident connected with President Davis is of great interest. I accidentally found this item a few days ago:
"The ladies of Petersburg petition for the pardon of Jefferson Davis.
"The following petition, signed by over six hundred ladies of Petersburg, has been forwarded to his Excellency, President John- son, praying for the pardon of Jefferson Davis. This method of reaching the President, has been adopted in other States and cities, and the appeal for clemency in behalf of the great state prisoner, bids fair to become universal throughout the land over which he lately ruled. Will the President disregard the earnest prayers of so large a portion of the nation ? ' '
"PETERSBURG, October, 1865. " PRESIDENT JOHNSON:
"Honored Sir, We, the ladies of the Cockade City of Vir- ginia, approach your Excellency requesting executive clemency for our beloved captive head, late President Jefferson Davis, who is
