The Sun.
London, England, 1863-10-22 00:00:00

These partial successes determined me to continue the
assault next day. Pickett, with three of his brigades,
joined Longstreet the following morning, and our batteries
wore moved forward to the position gained by him the day
before.
The general plan of attack was unchanged, except that
one division and two brigades of Hill's corps were ordered
to support Longstreet.
The enemy in the meantime had strengthened his line
with earthworks. The morning was occupied in necessary
preparations, and the battle recommenced in the afternoon
of the 3d, and raged with great violence until sunset. Our
troops succeeded in entering the advanced works of the
enemy and getting possession of soma of his batteries, but
our artillery having nearly expended its ammunition, the
attacking columns became exposed to the heavy fire of the
numerous batteries near the summit of the ridge, and after
a most determined and gallant struggle were compelled to
relinquish their advantage and fall back to their original po-
sitions with severe loss.
The conduct of the troops was all that I could desire or
expect, and they deserved success so far as it can be de-
served by heroic valour and fortitude. More may have
been required of them than they were able to perform, but
my admiration of their noble qualifies and confidence in
their ability to cope successfully with the enemy has suf-
fered no abatement from the issue of this protracted and
sanguinary conflict.
Owing to the strength of the enemy's position and the
reduction of our ammunition, a renewal of the engagement
could not be hazarded, and the difficulty of procuring sup-
plies rendered it impossible to continue longer where we
were. Such of the wounded as were in condition to be re-
moved, and part of the arms collected on the field, were
ordered to William fort. The army remained at Gettys-
burg during the 4th, and at night began to retire by the
road to Fairfield, carrying with it about 4,000 prisoners.
Nearly 2,000 had previously been paroled, but the enemy's
numerous wounded that had fallen into our hands after the
first and second days' engagements were left behind,
Little progress wits made that night, owing to a severe
storm, which greatly embarrassed our movements. The rear
of the column did not leave its position near Gettysburg
until after daylight on the sth.
The march was cnatinued during the day without inter-
ruption by the enemy, except an unimportant demonstra-
tion upon our rear .n the afternoon, when near Fairfield,
which was easily checked. Part of our train moved by the
road through Fairfield, and the rest by the way of Castle-
town, guarded by Gen. Imboden. In passing through the
mountains, in advc.nce of the column, the great length of
the trains exposed them to attack by the enemy's cavalry,
which captured a lumber of waggons and ambulances ; but
they succeeded in reaching Williamsport without serious
loss,

They were attacked at that place on the Gth by the enemy's
cavalry, which was gallantly repulsed by Gen. Imboden.
The attacking force was subsequently encountered and
driven off by Gen. Stuart, and pursued for several miles in
the direction of Boomsboroup;h. The army, after an arduous
march, rendered mcre difficult by the rains, reached Hagers-
town on the afternoon of the Gth and morning of the 7th of
July.

The Potomac was found to be so much swollen by the rains
that had fallen almost incessantly since our entrance into
Maryland as to be unfordable. Out communications with
the south side were thus interrupted, and it was difficult to
procure either ammunition or subsistence, the latter diffi-
culty being enhancei by the high waters impeding the work-
jug of the neighbouring mills. The trains with the wounded
and prisoners were compelled to await at 'Williamsport the
subsiding of the river and the construction of boats, as the
pontoon bridge left at Falling Waters had been partially
destroyed. The enemy had not yet made its appearance,
but as he was in a condition to obtain large reinforcements,
and our situation, fox the reasons above mentioned, was be-
coming daily more embarrassing, it was deemed advisable
to recross the river Part of the pontoon bridge was re-
covered, and new beats built. so that by the 13th a good
bridge was thrown over the river at Falling Waters.
The enemy in forte reached our front on the 12th. A posi-
tion had been previaisly selected to cover the Potomac from
Williamsport to Failing Waters, and an attack was awaited
during that and tie succeeding day. This did not take
place, though the tvo armies were in close proximity, the
enemy being occupied in fortifying his own lines. Our pre-
parations being completed, and the river, though still deep,
being pronounced fordable, the army commenced to with-
draw to the south ide on the night of the 13th.
Ewell's corps forted the river at Williamsport ; those of
Longstreet and Hill crossed upon the bridge. Owing to the
condition of the rends the troops did not reach the bridge
until after daylight on the 14;11, and the crossing was not
completed until 1 p.m. ; when the bridge was removed. The
enemy offered no serious interruption, and the movement
was attended with ao loss of material, except a few disabled
waggons and two pieces of artillery, which the horses were
unabled to move through the deep mud. Before fresh
horses could be sett back for them the rear of the column
had passed.
During the slow Ind tedious march to the bridge, in the
midst of a violent storm of rain, some of the men lay down
by the way to rest. Officers sent back for them failed to
find them in the obeourity of the night, and tbese,with some
stragglers, fell into the hands of the enemy-
Brigadier-Gen. Pettigrew was mortally wounded in an
attack made by a small body of cavalry, which was unfor-
tunately mistaken for our own and permitted to enter our
lines. He was Nought to Bunker-hill, where he expired in
a few days afterwards. He was a brave and accomplished
officer and gentleman, and his loss will be deeply felt by the
eountry and the limy.
The following day the army marched to Bunker-hill, in
the vicinity of which it encamped for several days. The
day after its arrind a large force of the enemy's cavalry
which crossed tin Potomac at Harper's Ferry, advanced
towards Martiniourg. It was attacked by Gen. Fitz Lee
near Rearneysvlle, and defeated with heavy loss, leaving
its dead and maw of its wounded on the field.
Owing to theswollen condition of the Shenandoah river,
the plan of ope'ations which had been contemplated when
we recrossed th, Potomac could not be put in execution, and
before the wates had subsided the movements of the enemy
induced me to goss the Blue Ridge and take position south
of the Rappahamock, which was accordingly done.
As soon as tte reports of the commanding officers shall
be received a Imre detailed account of these operations will
be given, and ccasion will then be taken to speak more par-
ticularly of theconspicuous gallantry and good conduct of
both officers and men.
It is not yet n my power to give a correct statement of
our casualties. which were severe, including many brave
men, and an umsual proportion of distinguished and valuable
officers. Amoig them I regret to mention the following
general offices :—Major-Generals Hood, Pender, and
Trimble, sevenly, and Major-Gen. Heth, slightly wounded,
General Peider has since died, This lamented office' has
borne a distinluished part in every engagement of this army,
and was wounded on several occasions while leading his
command witi conspicuous gallantry and ability. The con-
fidence and admiration inspired by his courage and capacity
as
anoffice b
ruts only equalled by the esteem and respect
entertained
3 all with whom he was associated for the noble
qualities of hi. modest and unassuming character. Briga-
dier. Generals Barksdale and Garnett were killed, and
Brigadier-General Semmes mortally wounded while leading
their troops vith the courage that always distinguished
them. Thesebrave officers and patriotic gentlemen tell in
the faithful &charge of duty, leaving the army to mourn
their loss andemulate their noble examples.
Brigadier-Generals ii emp
jeor,As, anrmisdte
jaedn,kSinos re
alewse,G.al T.
Anderson, Hampton, j. H. Jones,
wounded. Digadier- General Archer was taken prisoner,
General Pettgrew, though wounded at Gettysburg, con-
tinued in conmand until he was mortally wounded near
Falling Wages,
Tho loss ei the enemy is unknown ; but from observa-
tion, on the fidd, and his subsequent movements, it is sup.
posed that lit suffered severely.
Respectfully submitted,
R. E, LEE, General.”