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<p>; the Thirteenth, Colonel J. W. Carter; and the Eighteenth, Colonel Thomas M. Griffin.
To Barksdale was assigned the task of taking Peach Orchard Hill. Longstreet later described Peach Orchard Hill thus: “a piece of elevated ground that General Lee desired me to take and hold for artillery”.
To the immediate front of the Mississippians lay open field to the Emmitsburg road which runs between two very high rail fences. Beyond the road was Peach Orchard Hill, and to the left of it a high picket fence. Between this line and Cemetery Ridge were scattered farm houses, rail and stone fences, and a little stream called Plum’s Run. The brigades of J. B. Kershaw’s and P. J. Semmes’ South Carolinians and W. T. Wofford’s Georgians were to Barksdale’s right. Farther to the right were Hood’s Texans. Union General Charles K. Graham’s brigade of General Daniel E. Sickles Corps, heavily supported by artillery, occupied the Peach Orchard Hill line.
Promptly at 4:00 p.m., Hood began the assault. This charge was followed at intervals by those of Kershaw, Semmes, Barksdale and Wofford. J. S. McNeily, a member of the Twenty-first Mississippi who participated in the assault, dramatically described the action:
While waiting their turn, Barksdale’s men lay under fire of artillery and infantry in their front, which they were not allowed to return for an hour or more. Where they were well covered, the casualties were few; but where the line was exposed, the punishment was severe. The severest of all tests on troops, to receive fire without returning it, was borne unflinchingly. It but increased the impatience of General Barksdale and his men to get the order to move on the offensive batteries. Never was a body of soldiers fuller of the spirit of fight, and the confidence of victory.
Relief and diversion came when a score or more guns were unlimbered in the depression behind us and quietly rolled up by hand on our infantry line. As soon as they were placed they opened up in concert and with a din that was deafening.</p>
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