The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-07-10
Particulars Of the Battles.

" 49, . N2sS ucu. Iucuuo ilu iVSViNSu oem
cient assurances to justify him in the belief
that tho rebels were concentrating their
forces on our left flank, which all felt to DO
secure under the protection OF the invinciblo
Sd corps. Our line was Immediately strength
ened on that flank, Gen. Sickles' corps being
sent to its support, and several batteries from
the reserve being brought out and placed in
position. At about l-2 o'clock p. NJ, tho
enemy sent his first compliments by o salyo
of artillery, his first shells falling uncomfor.
table near Gen. Meado's Headquarters
FROM this hour forth to IL o'clock, occur
red by oil odds the most sanguinary engage
ment yet chronicled in the annals OF the war,
considering its short duration. The artillery
attack which was made by the enemy on tho
left and centre was rapidly followed by the
advance Of his infantry. The Sd corps 70.
ceived the attack with great GOODNESS. The
rebels ut once made for our flank, and kept
moving heavy columns in that DIRECTION
This necessitatcd support, which was quick.
ly given by the 9Th corps. The division OF
Gen. Barnes being sent to the right, and
that OF Gen. Ayrcs, regulars. to the left. with
Gen. Crawford in reserve. The battle now
became perfectly fearful. The armies on.
gagged each other at very short range, and for
three long hours the war of musketry was
incessant. The enemy would often bring up
suddenly heavy column Of men, and force
our line back, only to be in turn forced back
by our own line Of glittering steel. Our gal
liant columns covered themselves with glory
over and over again. They fought superior
force in numbers. The dispositions of tho
enemy were very rapid, for look where you
would on that field a body Of rebels would be
advancing. Our dispositions were equally
rcpid. and the enemy found moro than their
equal in such gallant veterans as Sickles,
Birney and Humphrey.
At half past six Gen. Sickles was struck
in the night leg by peice ofshcll, and borne
from tho field. The injury was 80 great that
amputation became necessary, and it was
performed successfully-the limb being taken
of below the knee. Tho struggle grew hot.
ter and hotter. Tho second corps was called
on for aid. and though its own position was
strongly threatened, yet tho first division,
formcly Gen. Haucock's, flung themselves in
to tho fight with desperation, and after
long and obstinate conflict tho enemy slowly
and sullenly gave way. In this last charge
tho brigade Of Gen. Caldwell, second corps,
and that of Col. Switzor, from the fifth corps,
won great honors. The charges made by our
men deserve mention, but want Of time for
bids. The rebels made frequent attempts to
capture our artillery, and q. ono time had
Watson's battery in their possession, but it
was rctaken in furious charge by Birnoy's
division. The battle lasted till fully 8 IL
o'clock, when tho enemy foil back to his old
position, and left our veterans tho unsanguin
cd vctors OF that field. Our pickets wero
thrown out, and our lines covered most OF
the field, including great number of tho
cnemy's dead and wounded. Visited some
portions Of the limo by moonlight, and can
bear personal witness to the terrible fcrocity
of tho battle. In front of some of our brig
adcs, who had good protection from stone walls
or fences, tho rebel dead lay piled in lines
like winrows of hay. In front Of Gen.
Wcbb's. tho Philadelphia brigade, they lay
30 thick rs to literally cover tho ground.--I
Not far from hero was found tho body of
Gen. Barksdale, the once naughty and vio-
lent rebel, who cravcd as dying boon q cup
of water and stretcher from an ambulance
boy. Heislterally cut to pieces with wounds,
and must die. A great and magnificent
feature OF this fight is the splendid use Of ar
tillery. Though our limo Of battle was only
mile and half long, yet almost every bat
terry in tho Army Of the Potomac was moro
or less engaged. Every ono of tho reserve
batteries was brought into action. tho posi-
tions for uso being numerous. The enemy
also used artillery largely, but not near to 80
great an extent as we did. From this they
suffered immensely, and specially on the left,
where canister was largely used.
The Tribuno's correspondent gives the fol-
lowing account Of Fridays battle, the par
ticulars of which are derived from Gen Han.
cock;
Yesterday, tho third days struggle Of tho
Army of the Potomac. brought another tri-
umph to our army, and last night another
sun set over victorious but bloody-ioucht
battle field. The flower Of the Southern
army threw itself in one gigantic death.strug-
gle upon our army, its Generals swearing to
pierce cur center or 90 down before tho yalor
of our troops. The onset was fierce and
bloody. and cost us many brave men, but the
repulse Of tho invaders was complete, and
thousands of slaughtered Rebels lay strewn
along the ground, while thousands fell into
our hands Us prisoners. Many battle.fags
have been taken. Four thousand Rebels
captured yesterday are on their way to Bal.
timore, and several thousand arc in camp
guarded by our men.
Gen Meade has now tho admiration OF tho
whole army. His daring acts and military
strategy in placing in position his victorious
army increase confidence in his gcneralship.
He has fought as no one ever fought tho
Potomac army before.
AS the firing ceased on Thursday night and
,ur army, flushed, with victory, covered the
ground, it held command Of the
bloody battle field Of the day. |
The Rebel flag Of truce was denied, and
Friday morning found our army REINFORCED
~ the reserves of the Sixth Corps, Gen.
,edgwick, and Twelfth Corps, Gen. Slocum.
lolding the field, our army was in limo of
'attle along tho Em,nStsburg Turnpike and
long the Taneytown Road. Several rifle
tits on tho extreme right wero left in possess
on Of the enemy on Thursday night.
On Friday morning tho ball was opened
y Gen. Geary, who moved upon tho enemy
o retako these rifle pits. Firing now became
general, and continued without damage to
is until eleven o'clnck. tho rino-pits falling
nto our possession. From IL till o'clock
hc firing slackoned, but as o'clock arrived,
here wero indications of another clash Of
rms moro bloody than tho historian of the
var has yet recorded. Tho Rebels under
len. Ewell now made concentration of all
heir artillery, and opened a terrible artillery
ire on our left center. Battery after battery
Dared, shaking the surrounding hills, and