As I write this, it is 3:40 pm, July 3rd, 2011.
148 years ago, at this time in the afternoon, 12,500 Confederate infantrymen, from nine different brigades, led by Major General George Pickett, were crossing an open field for 3/4 of a mile, to attack Union positions on Cemetary Ridge.
There were more than 50% casualties in the Union repulse of that attack.
Later in the day, General Lee called upon Pickett to form his men as part of another assault, and Pickett replied 'My Brigade lies dead on the field!' There was no other attack.
Fifty years later, there was a re-enactment of the charge, as ancient veterans of the Army of Virginia, hobbled, limped and staggered across the field they had fought for.
This time, rather than sending storms of lead, the equally ancient Union veterans came over the wall, and met their former enemies with embraces and tears.
When I was a young man, I would tear down any Confederate flag I saw, regardless of danger; it was a flag that flew in defiance of mine, an enemy nation.
ReplyDeleteNow, I see it and honor it.
Life is a journey, to an extent that defies cliche.
KevinV
Thanks, Dances.
ReplyDeleteThe veterans of the Battle of Chickamauga (in Northern Georgia) met up years later too, in a tremendous showing of brotherhood. Together, north and south planned, built, financed, and installed the monuments that now stand in the battlefield.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, the healing that occurred there was an exception, rather than the rule. The Confederate dead of Shiloh to this day lay in mass burial trenches, and a person must trek through the woods to find them. Still, fresh wreaths lay upon the large mounds.
Dances, you know I just finished reading about this but I had no idea about the recreation.
ReplyDeleteLike Matt said, thank you.