Okay, Jed, I'll believe it if you'll do me this favor. Quote to me one - no, make it *two,* since so many men were involved - *two* letters written home during the war, North or South, from *any* field of battle, that say essentially, "I was so moved by the bravery of the enemy that I cheered them even as I was shooting at them and their gunfire rained down on me."

If you can do that, I'll readily agree that Pickett's interpretation of the cheers he heard is probably correct. Seriously.

Here's a different example of reality vs. sentimentality. A Civil War veteran was asked how realistic he thought newspaper sketches were that showed regiments sweeping across fields on the attack in even rows, shoulder to shoulder, with all flags carried straight and high. His reply was, "God don't make men who can fight like that."

The story may be a myth, but it's food for thought. Ranks crossing a broad field had to advance slowly until nearly to the objective, and once enemy fire began to take its toll, the ranks would wobble and mix together in clotted masses as the survivors pushed on unevenly through clouds of smoke. Not a pretty picture - but that's my point. There is just no time for charity toward the enemy when he's trying to kill you.