Delaware State journal and statesman., 1863-11-17

Immediately directed the 5lh Corps to move
over to our extreme lett AMI the 9Th 10 occupy
its place as q reserve for the fight. About p.
m. rode out to the extreme left to await the ar
rival of the 9th Corps and post it, when found
that Major G neral Sickles, commanding the 3D.
Corps, not fully experimenting my instructions in
regard to the position to be occupied, had ad-
vaneed or rather was in the act of advancing his
corps half mile or ihree-quarters OF mile in
front of the line of the % Corps, on the proloug
alton of which it was designed his corps should
rest.
Having found Major General sickles, was
explaining to him that he was too far in ADVANCE
and discussing with him the proprety Of with
drawing, when the enemy opened upon him with
several batteries on his front and his flank, and
Immediately brought forward columns Of iufan-
try, and made vigorous assault. The 81 Corps
sustained the shock most heroically. Troops
from the I'd Corps were Immediately sent by
Major General Hancock to cover the right flank
OF the Sd Corps, and soon after the assault COM
menced the 9th Corps most fortunately arrived,
and took position on the left Of the Sd.
Major General Sykes command Immediately
sending force to occupy Round Top Ridge,
when most furious contest was nantained, The
enemy making desperate but unsuccessful efforts
to secure it. Notwithstanding the stubborn re-
sistauce OF the 81 Corps, under Major General
Birnsy, Major General Sckles having been
wounded early in the action, the superiority in
number of corps in the enemy enabling him to
outfank its advance position, General Blrney was
counselled to fall back and reform behind the
line originally designed to be held.
tie meantime, perceiving great exeriions
IN lhe part Of the enemy, the 9th Corps major
General Scdgwick) and part of the lst Corps Ito
the command of which had assigned Major
Gen. Newtou,) particularly Lockwood's Mary
land Brigade together with detachments from
the Second Corps, were all brought up at differ
ent periods, and succeeded, together with the
gallant resistance of the 9th Corps in checking,
and finally repulsng the assault of the enemy,
who retired in confusion and disorder about sun
set. and ceased any further efforts.
OI the extreme lett of another assault was,
however, made ahont p. M, on the llth Corps,
from the left of the lown, which was repulsed
with the assistance Of the troops from the 81
and lst Corps. During the heavy assault upon
out extreme left, portions Of the l2lh Corps
were sent ieinforcenents. During their
absence, the line Oh the extreme right was held
by very much reduced force This was taken
advantage OF by the enemy, who, during the
absence of Geary's Division of the 18th Corps,
advanced and occupied part Of the line On the
morning Of the 81, Geu GeaIy having returned
during the night was attacked at early dawn By
the enemy, but succeeded in driving him back,
aud occupying his former position.
spirited contest vas maintained all morning
along this part Of the line. Gen. Gtary, ie-
enforced by Wheaton's brigade, 9Th Corps, main
tained his position and Inflicted very severe
losses on the enemy. With this exception the
quiet Of the lines was unlislurbed till p III, on
the ID, when the enemy opened from over l25
gus, playing upon our center and left. This
cannonnde continued for over two hours, when
our guns failing to mako any reply, the enemy
osused hiring, aud sotn his musses Of infantry
became visible, forming fer an assault on our
left and left centgr 7 assault was made with
great tirmness, being directed principally against
the point occupied BY ,4 "a Corps, ami was re-
PEELED with equal frinn by the troops OF thut
corps, supported by D9ubleday's division and
Stann ards brigade Of The lsi Corps.
During the assault, both Maj Gen. Hancock,
commanding the left center, aud Btig-Gen
Gibson, commanding the ID Corps, wtr severely
wounded.
This terminated the battle, the enemy retiring
to his lines, leaving the field screwed with
his dead and wounded, and numbers of
prisoners fell into our hands.
Buford's division of Cavalry, after its arduous
services at Gettysburg on the 1st, was on the 3D.
sent 10 Westminster to reft ard guard our trains,
kilpatrick's DIVISION that on the 29,h, 30th, and
lst, had been successfully engaging the enemy's
cavalry, was on the Sd sent to our extreme lett,
on the Emmettsburg road, where good service
was rendered in assaulting the enGmy's line and
occupying his attention. AT the same time Gen.
Gregg was engaged with the enemy On cur
extreme right, having passed across the Baltimore
pike and Bonaughtown roads, and boldly attack
ed the enemy's left and rear.
On the morning of the 4th, reconnaissance de-
veloped that the enemy had drawn back his left
flank, but maintained his position in front Of
our lett, apparently assumed new line parallel
to the mountain.
On the morning of the 5th it was ascertained
that the enemy was in full retreat by the Fair
field and Cashtown roads, and by the Emmetts-
burg and Monterey Passes.
The 9th and 9th Of July were employed in
succoriug the wounded and butying the dead
Major-Gen. Sedgwicb, commanding the 9th
Corps, having pushed lhe pursuit Of the enemy
as far as the Fairfield Pass and the mountains
and reporting that the Pass was very strong
ore in which a small force of the enemy could
hold in check and delay for considerable time
any pursuing force-l determined to follow the
enemy ty flank movement, and accordingly
leaving Mclntosh's brigade of cavalry and Neil's
brigade of infantry 10 continue harrassing tie
enemy, put the army in motion for Middletowu,
and orders were Immediately seut to Major Gen
French, at Frederick, to reoecupy Harper's
Ferry and send force to Turner's Pass in
South Mountain.
l subsequently ascertained that Major Gen.
French had not only anticipated some of these
orders, in part, but had pushed a cavalry force to
Wiliamsport and Falling Waters, where they des-
troyed the enenys pontoon bridge, and captured
its guard. Buford was at the same time sent to
Wilamsport and Hagerstown. The duty above
assigned to the cavalry was most success
fully accomplished, the enemy being greatly
harrassed, his trains destroyed, and many cap
lures Of guns and prisoners made.
After hGting day at Middletorn to procure
necessary supplies and bring up trains, the army
moved through South Mountain, aud by the 10Th
Of July was in front Of The enemy, who occupied
which runs in advance OF Wilamsport lu
taking this position, several skirmishes and
affairs had been had with the enemy, principally
by the cavalry and the llth and 9th Corps. The
| 18th was occupied in reconnoisances Of the
enemy's position and preparations for an attack
but on advancing on the morning of the llth, it
was ascertained that be had retired the night
previous by the bridge at Falling Waters aud
ford at Wiliamsport.
The cavalry in pursuit overlook the rear
guard ut Falling Waters, capturing two guns
and numerous prisoners. Previous to the re-
treat of the enemy Gregg's division Of cavalry
was crossed at Harpers Ferry, ald coming up
with the rear Of the enemy at CiailestoWn and
| ShepheardstOwn, had spirited contest iu
which the enemy was driven to Mariinsburg and
Winchester, and pnr ued aud harrassed in his
retreat.
The pursuit was resumed by flank movement
| Of the army crossing the Potomac at Berlin and
moving down the Loudon Valley. The cavalry
were Immediately pushed into several passes o.
the Blue Ridge, and having learned from
/ scouts Of the withdrawal OF the Confederate
] g., f1,a vn1f of