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<p>As fast as the gunners could load they concentrated a fire on the Peach Orchard, which must have been destructive and demoralizing. This was kept up for half an hour, though the Union guns were silenced after the first discharges. When the order was given by the battery commanders to cease firing, every man in the brigade knew that “our turn” had come at last. The scenes and events as they moved thereafter were charged with intensely dramatic and never to be forgotten incidence sic. General Barksdale’s appearance, riding rapidly along in rear of the line, was the signal to the respective regimental commanders to get alert. Noted for excelling in the soundfulness of the word of command, never before did Colonel Humphreys shout “Attention” with such imperative insistence. Like an electric shock it brought every man of his regiment up standing. At the same time General Barksdale turned the right of the line and rode as rapidly down the front, to take his position at the head of his old regiment, the 13th. As he turned he called out to Colonel Humphreys the words which dictated the direction of the attack – to move forward and “swing to the left.”
General Barksdale … had a very thirst for battlefield glory, to lead his brigade in the charge. Of the comfort of his men he was most considerate, would tolerate no neglect or denial of their rights, or imposition on them from any one. As this was destined to be my last sight of him, impressions of his appearance are indelible. Stamped on his face, and in his bearing, as he rode by, was determination “to do or die.”
Next came the ringing command – “Double quick, charge”, and at top speed, yelling at the top of their voices, without firing a shot, the brigade sped swiftly across the field and literally rushed the goal. Our men began to drop as soon as they came to attention, and were well peppered in covering the distance to the enemy. The 21st struck and flanked the Peach Orchard angle. Our left regiment, the 18th, breasted a hot fire from a large brick barn … which they captured and burned. The 13th and 17th swept the line between these two salient. All met with stiff resistance. But when the blue coats saw us swarming over the fences and across the Emmetsburg road, without pausing, they began to “back out.” Though they fought back bravely, retiring slowing until the firing was at close quarters, when the retreat became a route in which our men took heavy toll for the losses inflicted on them. So hot was our fire that many of the enemy hid behind the great boulders, which were numerous, and as our charging line passed over them surrendered and were sent to the rear. General Graham with becoming courage rode out of the orchard behind his men. His horse was wounded and pitched the General over his head, leaving him in a dazed state of mind. Thus he was passed over and captured by the 21st Mississippi and sent to the rear. Several guns and caissons whose teams were shot down were captured on the Peach Orchard line. There was hot fighting afterward, but the heaviest losses were incurred in the charge across the open field on Peach Orchard Hill.</p>
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