Unfortunately, during this last election period, I think I may have lost some friends to “politics”. One would hope that the friendship would grow beyond the fleeting political issues of the day, but unfortunately that doesn’t seem to be the case.
I walked the terrain of Gettysburg many times while teaching military strategy. This battlefield, where thousands of soldiers died, is one of America’s most hallowed sites, where on July 3, 1863, the ill-fated Pickett’s Charge caused a horrific loss of life. Even in the midst of this horror, man’s humanity triumphed. Here, as the politics of the day clashed, Confederate General “Roe” Armistead cherished his friendship with his longtime Union friend, General Winfield Scott Hancock.
Lewis Addison Armistead was born on February 18, 1817 in New Bern, North Carolina, and was appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1834. He married his first wife, Cecilia Lee Love, a cousin of Robert E. Lee. Armistead and was promoted to captain for his actions during the Mexican-American War.
His first wife died in 1850 and he remarried in 1853. Armistead continued his military service in various assignments in the West, but sadly lost his second wife and two children. When the Civil War began, he and his close friend Winfield Scott Hancock were commanding the garrison of San Diego, California. Armistead resigned his commission out of loyalty to his hometown and joined the Confederate Army.
Armistead then arrived on the scene at Gettysburg on the night of July 2, 1863, with the remainder of General George Pickett’s division. The next day, Armistead led his men in a direct frontal attack that would become forever known as Pickett’s Charge. Confederate casualties exceeded 50% in futile attempts to break through Union lines. With his hat on his sword, he led his men from the front, facing relentless fire, and reaching Union lines at “The Angle,” later known as the Confederate high water mark. In the process he was injured many times.
After the failed assault, Armistead was taken to a field hospital by Union troops for treatment of his wounds. Despite being mortally wounded, he repeatedly insisted on informing him of the fate of his longtime friend Hancock, who was also on the battlefield for the Union cause. He died only after his friend Hancock was assured that he was safe and unharmed, and he promised to give the Bible to Hancock’s wife.
Their bond of friendship transcended political differences, despite the fact that both men had more diverse political beliefs and could not be at odds with each other. Times may be different, but bonds of friendship should transcend temporary day-to-day politics. Let’s hope that we can return to that kind of civil state again.
James R. Popler III of Quicksburg proudly served the U.S. government for more than 40 years. He specialized in national security issues at both Vanderbilt University and the National Defense University.
