File:67. Gallantry at Gettysburg by A.P. Andrews October 19, 1973 Page 08 (469ab342-80bc-4840-9098-a96900aeab1b).jpg

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go on and don’t let the Mississippians get ahead of you”. By mid-morning, the First Corps was rapidly coming upon the field in overpowering numbers. It was apparent that unless Davis, Archer, and Conally were reinforced immediately, they could not hold the line much longer. Their flanks were being enveloped, and both brigades were in danger of being surrounded. Observing the pitched battle at a distance with field glasses was General Heth. Although other units of Hill’s Corps were readily available, an indecisive Heth hesitated in ordering them forward. His indecision cost the Second Mississippi dearly. The outnumbered Mississippians finally received Heth’s order to make a new alignment. The order came too late. A Wisconsin regiment took advantage of Heth’s indecision and captured Major Blair and on hundred twelve men belonging to the Second Mississippi. Archer’s Tennesseans paid dearly also, losing several hundred men captured. General Heth, shakened from his apparent apathy, finally ordered forward the rest of his division along with the other troops from Hill’s Corps which had recently arrived. At last, help was coming to the embattled Mississippians and Tennesseans who had held a whole Federal Corps at bay for three hours. The Federals, aware of Heth’s advance, turned their attention from Davis and Archer to this new threat. Heth and his troops were met with artillery blasts and volleys of rifle fire which cut gaps in the Confederate lines. The Confederates struck both to the right and left of the Mississippians and Tennesseans, and in an instant the flanks were cleared and a

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