July 3rd, the third day of the battle found both sides licking their wounds but far from giving up. Lee had hit both ends of the Union lines and felt now the center would be weak. And there is where he planned to hit. He wanted all the artillery they could to gather and fire at the center of the Union line.
General Lee brought three divisions in to make the attack, and then started bringing the largest grand battery ever assembled in North America, Just after 1 o’clock they opened fire. The volley was so loud that it was heard in Harrisburg. Shells, solid shot, exploding ordinance of all kinds began to hit Cemetery Ridge and went for two hours.
The Confederate divisions start out across the valley headed for a clump of trees on Cemetery Ridge. Pettigrew’s North Carolina Brigade emerges from the covering trees under long-range artillery fire. Out front of the brigade is Colonel Marshall who taking the place of Pettigrew who is taking the place of General Heth who along with 40% of the Division were casualties on the first day of battle.
Like a great wave rushing up a sloping beach the attackers diminished, felled by bullets and canister, as they neared their goal of the clump of trees. The North Carolina Brigade charged past of the angle before the impetus fell apart.
Half of those who made the charge were killed, wounded or captured.