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"The enemy showed examples of bravery in that battle that they never exhibited to such an extent in any fight before. We saw lines formed under our terrible fire and moved up to our lines in the most daring manner, and it is said that some of our troops met them actually with the bayonet and butts of their guns..." On July 13, 1863, during the retreat, a correspondent of General Benning's Georgia brigade identified only as "Tout-Le-Monde," seated himself to record events of the Battle of Gettysburg. His recollections were sent from Hagerstown, Maryland to the Savannah Republican and published July 23, 1863.
Letter From the Army
Hagerstown, MD, July 13
Editor Savannah Republican: --This invasion has been of very little profit to the Confederacy so far, but in the humble opinion of your correspondent it may have been of the greatest importance....
In Gen. Benning's brigade there were examples of bravery never surpassed. The General himself rode through the storm that came from those summits like a mountain torrent, perfectly calm, and the men had a noble example of bravery, which they followed most explicitly. His horse was shot, but the fates spared him. Lt. Col. William T. Harris, of the 2d Georgia, went before his men in that awful gorge as if he were leading them to a parade. Col. John A. Jones, of the 20th Georgia, was a prominent example to every doubting heart in his command; but he and Col. Harris fell in all their glorious deeds, to rise never again for our cause or for the delight of their heart-stricken families at home. Everywhere, horror had a great feast that day. Beside and in a little stream that forced its way through the gorge where the 17th [Georgia] and 2d [Georgia] met the foe, so many of the enemy and so many of the Southerners fell that the water was tinged with the blood that flowed into it, so desperate was the fight.
The enemy showed examples of bravery in that battle that they never exhibited to such an extent in any fight before. We saw lines formed under our terrible fire and moved up to our lines in the most daring manner, and it is said that some of our troops met them actually with the bayonet and buts of their guns. The Sixteenth Georgia engaged the U.S. Regulars in a desperate conflict of this sort, in which a stubborn fight ensued for the colors. The enemy lost the stand.
On the fourth the cavalry forces of the enemy appeared on our right flank endeavoring to get into our wagon train. Gen. Anderson's brigade skirmished with them all day. Gradually giving way in the evening the enemy was drawn into our lines, and about 200 of this force were cut off entirely from the main body. Gen. Farnsworth commanded them, and upon discovering his situation attempted to break through our lines. Everywhere a blaze of musketry met him. At last, dashing up in front of the bold 1st Texas, he was commanded to surrender; but he was a brave, daring man, and stinging under the mortification of being captured, drew a revolver and blew his own brains out. It was a pity; a Southerner would rejoice to honor such courage. All of his command, except what was shot down in the fire, surrendered, without following his example....
Tout-Le-Monde
Sources:
Art - "Georgia Tide," A Gettysburg Diograph by Dennis Morris, Limited Edition https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GKAGW4M/?tag=civilwartalkc-20
Letter - The Savannah Republican., July 23, 1863, page 1.
Edited: "fell in all their glorious deeds, to ride never again" - corrected spelling error; "ride" should be "rise"
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