Enemies in War, Friends Forever

Enemies in War, Friends Forever

Much has been written on this 150^th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, the battle that turned the tide of the Civil War.  However, the most poignant story may be that of Union Major-General Winfield Hancock and Confederate Brigadier-General Lewis Armistead. 

In many ways the men were opposites.  Hancock was born into a middle class Pennsylvania family, was well educated, and distinguished himself as an army officer.  Armistead grew up in a well off influential family from North Carolina, did not finish West Point (for disciplinary and academic reasons), and experienced a number of misfortunes in life.  The two men met in 1844 and served together during the Mexican War.  (Armistead’s father used his Washington influence to get his son a commission in the Army.)  Although having very different backgrounds, the two had similar, fun loving personalities and developed a strong friendship over the next fifteen years.

When North Carolina voted to secede from the union, Armistead made the difficult decision to stay loyal to his state and resigned his commission.  Hancock, Armistead and a number of other future Civil War generals were stationed in California in 1861.  A subdued gathering of the departing southern officers was held at Hancock’s home.  It is rumored that on departing Armistead said, “If I ever raise arms against my friend Hancock may God strike me down.”

The two men fought many campaigns leading up to Gettysburg but never against each other.  That changed in July 3^rd, 1863.  Hancock was in command of the 2^nd Corps of the Army of the Potomac protecting the middle of the Union’s line at Cemetery Ridge.  Armistead was commanding a brigade named after him in Gen. Pickett’s division of Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia.  July 3^rd was the final day of the battle and the date of Pickett’s fatal charge.  Armistead led the way, placing his hat on the tip of his sword and waving it around so his men could see that their leader was there, motivating them to continue moving up the mile long slope.  With Union artillery from the ridge and the hills to his right battering the brigade, Armistead did not stop but lead his men across a small stream and over two rail fences.

Although Confederate troops were falling by the hundreds, Armistead and about a thousand rebels made it to the ridge, the “High Water Mark of the Confederacy.”  They were outnumbered and shot down.  Armistead lay wounded on the battlefield.  A Union Captain asked if there was anything he could get Armistead, but all the fallen general asked was to see Hancock.  The captain informed him that Hancock had also fallen.  Armistead was distraught and asked that his possessions be taken to his friend.  Armistead died two days later from complications.  Hancock survived and went on to finish out a distinguished military career.

The American Civil War tore the fabric of the nation apart, pitting abolitionist versus slaveholder, states’ rights advocate versus federal power proponent, white versus black, brother versus brother and friend versus friend.  Lewis Armistead and Winfield Hancock did their duty and followed their conscience but they also recognized that real friendships can overcome any adversity.