lelliott19
Brigadier General
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Regtl. Staff Chickamauga 2018
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Wofford's Brigade at Gettysburg - 16th, 18th, and 24th Georgia Infantry, Cobb's and Philip's Legions, and 3d Battalion GA Sharpshooters
Presently, but after what seemed like an eternity, Gen'l Longstreet accompanied by Gen'l McLaws, rode near us and spoke briefly to Gen'l Wofford, who saluted smartly, turned his horse and galloped to the front of his brigade. All eyes and ears were focused keenly on him in rapt attention. Rising in his stirrups, he exclaimed, "Georgia Brigade, attention! Boys our time has come. Today, you will make all of Georgia proud!" To this we responded with a wild cheer. He then quieted us with an upraised hand and continued, "Remember, guide to the center on the colors and fight like hell!" Another yell burst forth in answer and we heard the command, "right shoulder, shift. Forward quick time, march!" ......
General McLaws and Longstreet had ridden, to our surprise, most recklessly out ahead of our advancing brigade, but had determined it necessary in order to see our proper line of advance....We double-quicked through our guns, which ceased their fire to allow our passage, and when doing so the gunners removed their hats and cheered us gaily.....I noticed the 24th Georgia had become unaccountably delayed by the guns. Their formation had been disrupted and their officers were endeavoring to to re-form them in front of the artillery. Gen'l Wofford, seeing this, became enraged and galloped back to them shouting orders to form quickly and move up. This was done in short order and moving at the double-quick, they quickly caught up to us and rejoined our line......
When almost to the Emmittsburg Road, we reached and passed Gen'ls Longstreet and McLaws, who had wisely halted and allowed us to pass by. We greeted them with a cheer, to which both Gen'ls doffed their hats in salute. Longstreet called out, "Cheer less boys and fight more. Your work is up ahead - give them the steel!" Our feelings slightly injured at this mild rebuke, and heedless of his advice we nevertheless answered with yet another cheer. We soon reached and crossed the Emmitsburg Road and entered the large grove of peach trees.....
Wartime Recollections of Captain James Lile Lemon 18th Georgia, Mark Lemon, 2013. Available now; contact Mark Lemon for a copy https://www.facebook.com/mark.lemon.14
@Tom Elmore @Chattahooch33 @GMSorrel @TinCan @xlsteve you guys may be interested in this account
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