Barksdale's Charge at the Peach Orchard, the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg
"A Recollection of a Private in the 13th Mississippi at Gettysburg
On June 24, 1913, the Houston (TX), Post Newspaper published a letter written 50 years after the battle of Gettysburg, by D. G. Maggard, a former Confederate soldier who was now living in Houston, but during the Civil War, fought in Co K,13th Mississippi Infantry Regiment. He describes the action he was in during General William Barksdale's famous charge with his Mississippi Brigade on July 2, 1863 at the Battle of Gettysburg. He wrote:
We soon found ourselves in the thick of battle. I saw both Northern and Southern soldiers falling around me in great numbers.
The last I saw of General Barksdale he was leaning against his horse mortally wounded. He was game to the last, and I remember him calling out, ‘Boys, I am a dead man, but charge ‘em, damn ‘em, charge ‘em, and don’t fall back!’ Colonel Carter was also killed in the charge.
I recall seeing General Longstreet riding along the lines on his beautiful horse urging his men on and issuing orders. He was a grand specimen of manhood, and I saw him that day with his plumed hat and gray uniform riding his beautiful horse, I thought him the finest-looking man I had ever seen.
Those of our company followed our dying general, as we charged ahead the fight became fiercer and fiercer. Soldiers lay dying on all sides, and we were forced to trample upon scores. Our company was soon cut off from the others, and my comrades were falling fast. Before long I discovered myself surrounded by Northern soldiers and was disarmed. It is the wonder of my life to this day how I escaped uninjured."
Two of my Confederate ancestors also served in Co. K alongside Pvt. Maggard.
My gg grandfather, Pvt John Strebeck, and gg granduncle, Lt Daniel Strebeck, both of Co K, 13th Mississippi Infantry, made Barksdale's Charge at Gettysburg. Co K advanced so far ahead of the brigade with Gen. Barksdale that many were captured with the general. My two ancestors narrowly escaped back to friendly lines, with my grandpa having been wounded.
From NPS database list of Soldiers :
Maggard , David G.
BATTLE UNIT NAME:
13th Regiment, Mississippi Infantry
SIDE:
Confederacy
COMPANY:
K
SOLDIER'S RANK IN:
Private
SOLDIER'S RANK OUT:
Private
ALTERNATE NAME:
FILM NUMBER:
M232 ROLL 25
Strebeck , John F.
BATTLE UNIT NAME:
13th Regiment, Mississippi Infantry
SIDE:
Confederacy
COMPANY:
K
SOLDIER'S RANK IN:
Private
SOLDIER'S RANK OUT:
Private
ALTERNATE NAME:
FILM NUMBER:
M232 ROLL 39
Strebeck , D.H.
BATTLE UNIT NAME:
13th Regiment, Mississippi Infantry
SIDE:
Confederacy
COMPANY:
K
SOLDIER'S RANK IN:
Private
SOLDIER'S RANK OUT:
Third Lieutenant
ALTERNATE NAME:
Daniel H./Stubeck
FILM NUMBER:
M232 ROLL 39
NOTES: See less
Painting: "Barksdale's Charge". Battle of Gettysburg, July 2, 1863, Barksdale's Mississippi Brigade [13th Mississippi] attacks the 114th Pennsylvania (Collis Zouaves),
by Don Troiani