Company H, 21st Missisippi Infantry

Regimental History

The commander of the Mississippi Brigade was a combative former U.S. Congressman who had championed State’s Rights on the floor of the House of Representatives. William Barksdale had been a “fire-eater” and staunch advocate of secession, and when Mississippi left the Union he immediately traded his Congressman’s pen and suit-coat for a uniform and sword. Barksdale had distinguished himself as commander of the 13th Mississippi Regiment, and after the death of General Richard Griffith at Savage’s Station had been promoted to command of the Mississippi Brigade. At Fredericksburg in December, 1862, he had led his men brilliantly in contesting Union efforts to bridge the Rappahannock River. The Mississippians had fought a furious delaying action, firing from rifle pits, cellars, and houses, to stall the Army of the Potomac in its crossing of the Rappahannock. This tenacious fight held up the entire Union Army for six hours, allowing Lee vital time to entrench on Marye’s Heights. The great Confederate victory that followed was largely due to the crucial time bought by the dogged struggle put up by Barksdale’s Mississippians.

Barksdale took good care of the soldiers under his command, and was highly respected by them in return. One of his men wrote of him, “General Barksdale was a large, rather heavily built man of a blond complexion, with thin light hair. He was not a graceful horseman, though his forward impetuous bearing, especially in battle, more than made up for such deficiencies. He 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.”

In command of Barksdale’s 21st Mississippi Regiment was Colonel Benjamin G. Humphreys, a lawyer and state legislator from Claiborne County, Mississippi. Humphreys had entered the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1825, but was expelled the following year after a cadet riot on Christmas Eve. Despite this misadventure in his youth, Humphreys became one of the leading attorneys in Mississippi and served with distinction in the state government. When war came, Humphreys originally served as a company commander in the 16th Mississippi. In September, 1861, he was promoted to Colonel and made commander of the 21st Mississippi. Humphreys had commanded the 21st in every battle of the Army of Northern Virginia except for Second Manassas, and had distinguished himself as a superb leader who was absolutely fearless in combat. (Note: A group of patriotic ladies back in Mississippi had presented Humphreys a hand-sewn uniform made of an inexpensive material called satinette. Despite the fact that he could easily have afforded a uniform of much higher quality, Humphreys wore the satinette uniform throughout the War out of loyalty to his home state. After the War he would be elected Governor of Mississippi.)

The march north was leisurely along dusty Virginia and Maryland roads in the summer heat. The men rested for several days at Culpeper Court House, and resumed the march on June 15. With the rest of General James Longstreet’s First Corps, Barksdale’s men moved along the eastern slope of the Blue Ridge and crossed into the Shenandoah Valley. On June 26 the column crossed the Potomac River into Maryland at Williamsport, and the following day reached Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Here they halted for two days to rest, until abruptly ordered to consolidate with the rest of the Army and prepare for battle. The Union Army had been discovered by a Confederate spy employed by General Longstreet. The Federals were not, as General Lee had believed, still in Virginia...They were in pursuit of Lee’s Army and almost within striking distance. Lee ordered the three corps of the Army of Northern Virginia to concentrate and prepare to fight.

In compliance with these orders, Longstreet moved most of his corps, including the Mississippi Brigade, east from Chambersburg to Greenwood, PA. They camped there the evening of June 30, and moved out for Gettysburg on July 1st. A huge fight had begun there early that morning, when an advance column of General A.P. Hill’s Third Corps ran into two brigades of Union cavalry. Both sides rapidly received reinforcements, and what would become the largest battle ever fought in the Western Hemisphere was underway. Barksdale’s men were not aware of this, however. Of more immediate concern to them was that their march was delayed for several hours to allow Major General Edward Johnson’s division of the Second Corps to pass on the Shippensburg Road. One Mississippian wrote, “We lay on the side of the road for hours, waiting for the wagon trains of other commands, moving in the same direction, to go by.”

Finally ordered to reform and march on in late morning, the column passed through the South Mountain defiles shortly after noon. Then the men heard in the distance the rumbling thunder of artillery, and a surge of anticipation passed through the ranks. J.S. McNeily of the 21st Mississippi wrote later, “We felt, rather than knew that the hunt was up, that the dogs of war had been let slip. Again and again the heavy thunder came booming from beyond the mountains, nearer, clearer, deadlier than before.”

Throughout the long afternoon and evening the men marched toward the ever-louder sound of battle. McNeily continued, “Night descended with the music of the artillery still resounding. But we did not pause or halt until midnight...about four miles from Gettysburg, we turned out of the road and bivouacked where we stopped, tired, hungry, and sleepy. As our division, McLaw’s, led, we were more fortunate than Hood’s men who did not lie down until hours after.”

The weary men were roused at sunrise on July 2, 1863, and quickly formed ranks and marched on toward Gettysburg. “The march had not proceeded far before evidences of the fighting of the previous day...were encountered.” As the sun warmed the Pennsylvania countryside the Mississippians “...passed hastily established field hospitals where surgeons, with rolled sleeves, worked feverishly to mend the wounded. The debris of battle became more abundant as the brigade crossed Willoughby Run and ascended McPherson’s Ridge. On both sides of the Chambersburg Pike, Barksdale’s men saw stark evidence of battle: shattered trees, trampled crops, abandoned equipment, and scores of bodies yet unburied. The field bore silent testimony to the brutal clash that occurred on July 1; a clash in which their fellow Mississippians of Brigadier General Joseph R. Davis’ Brigade were roughly handled. The fields also bore ample evidence of a brilliant victory achieved by Southern arms; but a victory that was yet incomplete. Barksdale’s men approached the battlefield confident that complete victory would be achieved before the sun set on July 2.”

Between nine and ten o’clock, the Mississippians reached the front and halted where the Chambersburg Pike intersects Seminary Ridge. Major General Lafayette McLaws, commanding the division which included Barksdale’s Brigade, rode forward to converse with Lee and Longstreet. The men took this opportunity to stack arms and rest.12 Many of them “...looked across the country a mile or so to Cemetery Ridge, where we could see the outlines of the enemy’s forces. It seemed, as it was soon to prove, impregnable to a front attack.”

General Lee’s plan of attack for July 2 called for Longstreet to launch a crushing assault on the Union left flank with two of his three divisions, those of McLaws and Major General John Bell Hood. (Longstreet’s third division, commanded by Major General George Pickett, had not yet arrived on the field.) These divisions’ orders were to move into position for the attack “if possible without being seen by the enemy.” Doing this necessitated a round-about march which consumed four precious hours. At one point, McLaws’ column was forced to countermarch to avoid observation by Union signalmen on Little Round Top. Longstreet’s veterans finally reached their assigned position on Seminary Ridge shortly after three in the afternoon.

The four brigades of McLaws’ division were posted in line of battle on Seminary Ridge astride Wheatfield Road. Kershaw’s South Carolinians were to the right supported by Semmes’ Georgia Brigade. Barksdale’s Mississippians were posted on the left supported by Georgians commanded by William T. Wofford. Hood’s division formed to McLaw’s right. Their lines formed, the men grimly settled in to await the order to attack. A duel began between nearby Confederate batteries and Union artillery posted west of Cemetery Ridge, some only 600 yards away from the Rebel position.

Heedless of the danger from the fire of the artillery, officers rode along the lines, reassuring the men and making sure that all was set for the advance. “Infantrymen fixed bayonets and shed excess gear in preparation for the grim task which awaited them. To steady their nerves, some men glanced at photographs of loved ones far away; while others prayed that a merciful God would spare their lives in the coming fray. The bloodshed at Gettysburg was about to resume; and the Mississippians of Barksdale’s Brigade would shed their best and noblest blood.”

At four o’clock, General Hood unleashed his division in a furious attack against Union positions on Little Round Top, in Devil’s Den, and in the Wheatfield. The fighting which followed was some of the fiercest of the entire war. As was his custom, Hood was in the forefront of the assault. He was severely wounded early in the attack and had to be taken to the rear. General Hood would survive his wound to fight bravely on other fields, but his absence was keenly felt during the Confederate attack of July 2nd. J.S. McNeily wrote, “The ‘bad luck’ that threaded Gettysburg for the Confederates outcropped at the outset of Longstreet’s attack, in the wounding of General Hood. The loss of his consumate and daring leadership in attack at such a crisis may not be measured. But it is easily imaginable that it was of seriously adverse effect.”

While Hood’s division slammed into the Union left, Barksdale’s men and their comrades in McLaw’s division were forced to wait under concentrated Yankee artillery fire. General Lee’s plan called for an attack “in echelon”, i.e. a graduated assault to throw the enemy off-balance rather than a massive advance with all units attacking simultaneously. The Mississippians waited for more than an hour under fire from Union batteries in the Peach Orchard, where units of General Daniel Sickles Third Corps of the Army of Potomac were dug in. Finally, the order came to advance. J. S. McNeily wrote of the long wait and the receipt of the attack order: “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. This was betokened by their conversation, in groups, under such shade as they could find from the hot sun. Some strolled down to the little stream in their rear, where canteens were filled. Others crossed over and broke off great branches from the numerous cherry trees, which were in full bearing. 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. 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. 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 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”.

The Mississippians formed line of battle with the 21st on the right, then the 17th, the 13th (with Barksdale at their head), and the 18th on the left. Captain B. G. Lamar of McLaws’ staff arrived with word to commence the attack. When he delivered the order to Barksdale, the General’s face was “radiant with joy”. Lamar wrote of Barksdale, “He was in front of his brigade, hat off, and his long, white hair reminded me of the white plume of Navarre.” In ringing tones he thundered, “Attention, Mississippians! Battalions, Forward!” Then he “turned toward the enemy and led his men to glory.”

Historian Terrence Winschel described the scene: “Longstreet watched as the Mississippi Brigade was ordered to ‘Dress to the colors and forward to the foe!’ The commands were echoed down the line and the Mississippians swept forward in what has since been known as ‘the grandest charge that was ever seen by mortal man.’ With ‘glorious bearing,’ Barksdale sprang to his work. Lamar wrote of the gallant brigadier, “I saw him as far as the eye could follow, still ahead of his men, leading them on.” George Clark of Alabama also watched as ‘Barksdale threw forward his Mississippians in an unbroken line in the most magnificent charge I witnessed during the war, and led by the gallant Barksdale who seemed to be fifty yards in front of his bave boys.’ Clark wrote, ‘The scene was grand beyond description.’”

The 1400 Mississippians let forth a mighty Rebel Yell as they leapt to the attack. Union artillery quickly blasted gaps in the gray lines, but the Brigade surged on. One Federal later wrote, “Nothing we could do seemed to confuse or halt Barksdale’s veterans...Nothing daunted Barksdale and his men...[they] just came on, and on, and on.” In tight ranks with a front of 350 yards, the Mississippians slammed into Brigadier General Charles Graham’s Pennsylvania Brigade defending the Peach Orchard, and overwhelmed them in minutes. Among the scores of Northern prisoners taken was General Graham.

Barksdale led his men along the high ground along the Emmitsburg Road, driving Yankees before them. Then he wheeled the three left-most regiments north up the road. Colonel Humphreys led the 21st deeper into the Peach Orchard, and then also wheeled left to attack a six gun Federal Battery which had been pouring fire into their ranks (this was the 9th Massachussetts Light Artillery, commanded by Captain John Bigelow). General Barksdale exhorted the 13th, 17th, and 18th Mississippi Regiments, “Forward, men...Forward!”22 Those three regiments continued pummeling the Union units which vainly attempted a stand along a small stream called Plum Run.

When Colonel Humphreys ordered the 21st Mississippi to advance against Bigelow’s Union Battery, Captain Bigelow concentrated the full force of his six pieces against the attacking Confederate regiment. Bigelow called for double canister, and blasts of shotgun-like shrapnel blew huge gaps in the ranks of the 21st. The gaps were quickly closed, and the Mississippians charged on, undaunted. Bigelow realized his position was untenable, but it was also apparent that if his cannoneers ceased fire long enough to limber up and prepare to withdraw they would be over-run. Therefore, he gave the desperate order, “Prolonge by fire!”. This command meant that his men would secure the guns to teams of horses while still firing, and the recoil of the guns would assist the teams with withdrawing them. This maneuver was one of the most complicated and hazardous an artillery battery could conduct, and would have been a severe challenge for combat-hardened veterans. Bigelow’s men had never been under fire before, but they coolly hooked up the horses and began to withdraw the guns, firing all the while. Humphrey’s men came on, heedless of the fire blasting holes in their lines, determined to capture Bigelow’s guns. Finally, Captain Bigelow’s men reached the gate at Trostle Farmhouse, and it appeared they would escape. Bigelow’s desperate maneuver was the only time that a Prolonge by Fire is recorded to have been successfully executed in the entire War, and it seemed to have bought the time they needed to limber up and save their guns. It was then that Captain Bigelow’s battalion commander, Colonel McGilvray, approached and informed him that the 9th Massachusetts Battery must buy time for the other batteries attempting to escape the Rebel onslaught on the Emmitsburg Road line. If Bigelow could not delay the Confederate regiment to his front they might capture the entire 3rd Corps artillery battalion. McGilvray ordered Bigelow to sacrifice his entire battery, if necessary. Grimly, Bigelow ordered his men to unlimber and stand and fight.

Whitelaw Reid was a correspondent for the Cincinnati Gazette. He told the story of the epic fight between the 21st Mississippi and the 9th Massachusetts Light Artillery: “Some Massachusetts batteries- Captain Bigelow’s, Captain Phillips’, two or three more under Captain McGilvray of Maine- were planted on the extreme left, advanced now well down to the Emmitsburg Road, with infantry in their front- the first division, I think of Sickles’ Corps. A little after five a fierce Rebel charge drove back the infantry and menaced the batteries. Orders are sent to Bigelow, on the extreme left, to hold his position at every hazard short of sheer annihilation, till a couple more batteries can be brought to his support. Reserving his fire a little, then with depressed guns opening with double charges of grape and canister, he smites and shatters, but cannot break the advancing line. His grape and canister are exhausted, and still, closing grandly up over their slain, on they come. He falls back on spherical case, and pours this in at the shortest range. On, still onward, comes the artillery-defying line, and still he holds his position. They are within six paces of the guns- he fires again. Once more, and he blows devoted soldiers from his very muzzles. And still mindful of that solemn order, he holds his place. They spring upon his carriages and shoot down his forces!”

For a couple of minutes there was a savage hand-to-hand struggle for possession of the guns, but the 21st would not be denied. Bigelow’s men managed to evacuate two of the cannons but the other four were captured by Humphreys’ Mississippians. The Confederates captured a number of the Federals, and drove off the others. (The severely wounded Bigelow was among those who managed to escape.) Lieutenant George Kempton of Company I jumped astraddle one of the guns, waving his sword and yelling to Colonel Humphreys, “Colonel, I claim this gun for Company I!” Lieutenant W.P. McNeily leapt onto another and claimed it for Company E. Then Humphreys spotted another Union battery several hundred yards away, and ordered his men to charge it, as well. This was Battery I, 5th U.S. Artillery, commanded by Captain Watson. The Mississippians rapidly seized these guns, also, despite suffering heavily from close-range canister in the process. In the space of half an hour, the 21st Mississippi had captured a Union General and two enemy batteries comprised of eight cannon, and had played a major role in crushing the better part of two Federal Brigades.

Humphreys now realized that he was in a remarkable position. He observed Union troops eight hundred yards away to his right, being driven back by the attack of Hood’s division. His men attempted to turn the captured guns on the disorganized Federals, but found to their frustration that the fleeing Union cannoneers had carried off all the rammers and friction primers. To the front, the view was astonishing. There was not a Union soldier to be seen. “...the view on our front was most singular. Looking almost to Mead’s bent back right, not an enemy appeared in sight. The 21st Mississippi had fought its way into the enemy’s rear, and was planted squarely between his left and center . With vivid realization of the strategic strength of his position, Colonel Humphreys mingled vain and bitter regrets over the weakness of his force.”

While the 21st was neutralizing the two Union batteries, William Barksdale led his other three regiments against Third Corps units along the Emmitsburg Road. The 13th, 17th, and 18th had fought mightily and suffered tremendous casualties. Hundreds of Mississippians had been killed or wounded, and the formation was becoming ragged. A survivor recalled that the men were “...now covered with dust and blackened by shot and shell, and faint from exhaustion.” The commanders of the 17th and 18th regiments, Colonels Holder and Griffin, urged Barksdale to pause and regroup. The fiery Brigadier, smelling victory, refused to stop. He replied, “No! Crowd them-we have them on the run. Move your regiments.” The Mississippians continued to surge forward, and fresh Union lines crumbled under the continued pressure of the Rebel attack. Barksdale exhorted his men, “Brave Mississippians, one more charge and the day is ours.” Inspired by their commander, the men “...responded with cheers to the clarion call of the intrepid Barksdale as he ‘moved bravely on, the guiding spirit of the battle.’” A Union soldier despaired, “Will nothing stop them?”, while another later confessed, “For the moment I thought the day was lost.”

In the distance, Barksdale spied lines of blue reinforcements rushing forward from Cemetery Ridge. He fearlessly led his depleted ranks straight for them. The fresh troops of Colonel George Willard’s New York Brigade had been ordered forward to stop Barksdale’s onslaught, and the two brigades slammed into each other head-on. An entire Union company was detailed to bring down the seemingly indestructible Barksdale. The greater numbers of the northerners began to tell, and the Mississippians were slowly pushed back. Though bleeding from two severe wounds, Barksdale was reported to be “towering with rage”. Finally, he was wounded a third time by a ball which knocked him from his horse.

Joseph C. Lloyd of the 13th Mississippi was wounded and was making his way to the rear when he heard a “weak hail to my right, and, turning to it, find General Barksdale.” Private Lloyd reached for his canteen to give the General a drink of water, but found that “a ball had gone through and let it all out.” Blue-clad troops were advancing very near, and Barksdale insisted that Lloyd leave him and go to the rear. Reluctantly, Lloyd did so, but promised to send litter bearers. (This was prevented by Union forces regaining control of that portion of the field.) The Private made his way back to Confederate lines believing “that I was the last on that part of the field and the last that saw General Barksdale.”

As the 13th, 17th, and 18th Mississippi were being forced to retire from the area of the Emmitsburg Road, the 21st was under attack from fresh Union forces. Though heavily outnumbered, Colonel Humphreys attempted to maintain his position in the hope that reinforcements would soon appear to exploit the breach in the Northern lines. There were no reinforcements available, however. McLaws’ entire division had attacked, and General Longstreet had no fresh troops whom he could order forward. Instead, Humphreys received orders to withdraw. Reluctantly, he moved his regiment back from the recently seized guns of Watson’s Battery and formed a new position in front of the four captured cannon of Bigelow’s Battery at Trostle Farm. Soon, orders arrived directing him to pull back still farther to the Peach Orchard, where he would take command of the Mississippi Brigade due to the loss of the heroic Barksdale. General Longstreet later wrote, “When General Humphreys, who succeeded to Barksdale’s Brigade, was pulled back to the new line he thought there was some mistake in the orders, and only withdrew so far as a captured battery. And when the order was repeated, retired under protest.” Angrily, the Mississippians moved to join the rest of their brigade at the Peach Orchard, leaving behind the guns they had purchased with so much gallant blood.

After his mortal wounding, William Barksdale lay for hours where he fell. Late that evening, he was found by Union soldiers who had been informed of his location on the field by a captured Mississippian. Private David Parker of the Fourteenth Vermont wrote that after his colonel had asked for volunteers to bring in the wounded Confederate general, “...three soldiers beside myself volunteered to go. We searched among the dead and wounded untill [sic] about 11 at night when we found him he was suffering from bleeding inwardly and suffering very much.” The Vermonter sat on the ground and held Barksdale’s head in his lap. Then he “...gave him coffee that I had in my canteen from a spoon as he could swallow but a small amount at a time."

Barksdale was completely lucid and told them that they would need a stretcher to carry him. He also stated that they would need more help because he weighed 240 pounds. Parker stayed with Barksdale while the others went for help. The general and Parker had an amiable conversation, though Barksdale was in great pain. He told Parker that he was “leaving a good and loving wife and two sons” and asked Parker to relay to his wife that his last words were of her. He lamented leaving his sons fatherless and said that to leave them was the hardest thing he had ever done. Barksdale asked Parker to “...tell them all that I died like a brave man. That I led my men fearlessy [sic] in the fight.” According to Parker’s account, Barksdale recounted his wounding: “I was wounded by a rifle ball in my left limb above the knee but I led my men. Next I was wounded by having my left foot took off or nearly off near the ankle by a cannon ball. Though I was weak from loss of blood still I rode my horse and led my men in the fierest [sic] of the charge that we broke the lines and drove our enemy and at the moment of success I was pierced by a ball through the brest [sic] knocked senseless from my horse and left by my soldiers for dead.” The fiery General also stated that “I have never regretted the steps I have taken and altho [sic] dying I do not regret my steps now.” He requested Parker tell his sons of his great love for them and “...tell them to be good men and brave always defend the right.” (Note: It is probable that the highly articulate General spoke more eloquently than Parker recorded.)

When Parker’s comrades returned they placed the now unconscious General on a stretcher and carried him to the Second Corps aid station at the Hummelbaugh house near Taneytown Road. The house was full, so Barksdale was laid on blankets in the yard. Assistant Surgeon Alfred T. Hamilton of the 148 Pennsylvania Regiment examined his wounds, and during the examination the General regained consciousness. While Musician Robert Cassidy gave him water with a spoon, Barksdale asked Surgeon Hamilton if his wounds were mortal and Hamilton informed him that they were. Barksdale told Hamilton that he wanted peace, but only if it recognized the South’s independence. Hamilton asked him if there was a message he wished passed on to his wife, and he proudly replied, “Tell her I’m shot, but we fought like hell.” A fire-eater to the last, he then said, “Beware! You will have Longstreet thundering in your rear in the morning!” The Surgeon concluded there was nothing else that could be done for the dying General and prescribed morphine to ease his suffering. Before dawn on July 3, Barksdale fell unconscious and then died. “Mississippi’s most gallant soldier” was buried on the battlefield where he had led his men to glory.39 (Note: Barksdale’s wife later had his body removed and taken home to Mississippi, where he is buried in Greenwood Cemetery at Jackson.)

As they gathered in the darkness at the Peach Orchard the evening of July 2nd, the survivors of the Mississippi Brigade counted the terrible cost of their attack. In addition to General Barksdale, the commanders of three of the Brigade’s four regiments were lost: Colonel James Carter of the 13th Mississippi, Colonel William Holder of the 17th, and Colonel Thomas Griffin of the 18th were all killed. Most of the Brigade’s field officers were also casualties, including Major Isaac D. Stamps of the 21st. Miraculously, Colonel Humphreys had survived unscathed, despite leading his regiment into the teeth of concentrated cannon and musket fire. He took command of a Brigade that now numbered scarcely half of what it had only a few hours before. Over 740 men of the Brigade were casualties in the charge, of which the 21st Mississippi lost 128 out of an original strength of 300.40 (Note: Humphreys would shortly receive a well-deserved promotion to General.)

The next day the battered but still eager-to-fight Mississippians were ordered to hold their positions, and watched with quavering emotions as General Pickett’s newly arrived division, along with those of Trimble and Pettigrew, threw themselves forward in a futile assault against the Union center on Cemetery Ridge. Displaying the same self-sacrificial heroism demonstrated by Barksdale’s men and the others of McLaws’ and Hood’s divisions the day before, the gallant soldiers who made “Pickett’s Charge” were repulsed with tremendous loss. This was the last Confederate attack at Gettysburg. With one third of his army having become casualties in three days of blood-letting, General Lee ordered a retreat. As rain began to pour the evening of July 4, Humphreys’ surviving Mississippians, bloodied but unbowed, formed ranks and began marching South, back to Virginia.

Of the attack made by McLaws’ and Hood’s divisions the afternoon of July 2, 1863, General James Longstreet later wrote, “They did the best three hours’ fighting ever done by any man on any field.” Of the Southerners who did that fighting, none surpassed the heroism of Barksdale’s Mississippians.

“Whatever history may say of the gallantry and prowess displayed on the rocky slopes and green fields of Gettysburg, whether at the so-called ‘high-water mark of the Confederacy’ or elsewhere, no incident can surpass in grandeur the glorious achievement of the Griffith-Barksdale-Humphreys Brigade, and no spot on that blood-stained field is a more hallowed spot than that ‘where Barksdale fell.’” The Twenty-first Mississippi Volunteers and the other regiments of their brigade would fight on with legendary bravery to the end of the War. Though their cause was lost, neither defeat nor time can ever dim the legacy of their valor.

For more information, contact Major Wrona, or the company clerk, Ed "Bubba" Kennan.

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