The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-07-11
THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG.
Desperation of the Contest.
GLORIOUS UNION VICTORY.
A Detailed Account.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Potomac,
GETTYSBURG, Saturday, P. NJ, July d.
186S.-At o'clock in the evening of
June, Major General George G. Meade
became commander of the Army of the
Potomac. That same night he issued or
ders to the several corps to move, and on
the following morning the army moved as
if unconscious of the change of command
ers. The army was encamped about Fred
erick, Maryland. The main portion was
ordered to moveinto Pennsylvania through
Emmettsburg, where the First, Third
and Eleventh Corps encanped Tuesday.
The Sixth was ordered to Carlisle. The
Second and Twelfth We're also near EN-
mettsburg. Early on Wednesday morn
ing the First Corps, commanded by Major
General Reynolds, and the Eleventh,
commanded by Major General Howard,
were ordered to Gettysburg, where it was
reported the enemy had taken position.
The detachment was commanded by
General Reynolds.
idly, and arrived at Gettysburg, on the
Baltimore pike, at half past ten o'clock in
the forenoon.
The First Corps was in the advance. The
enemy'S outpoStS were encountered in a
wood west Of the town, near the Seminary.
Gen. Wadsworth, who commanded the lst
division, Immediately engaged the enemy
DEATH OF GEN. REYNOLDS.
Gen. Reynolds rode forward to inspect
the ground and select a position for the line
of battle. The enemy distinguishing him
as well from his soldierE bearing as from
his uniform to be an officer of high rank,
opened upon him with heavy v0lleys of in
fantry fire. He was struck ny several
balls and died instantly without uttering
a word. His Acting adj utant-General,
Capt. Bond, was at his side and caught him
in his arms to preventhim falling from his
horse.
This gallant officer, well and favorably
known to the army and the country, never
fought battles through orderlies and aids.
but always IN person. Like Sumner, i'll
battle he was al the head of his column to
direct-and, by his own example of per-
sonal courage, sustain his command when
death reigned fearfully all around.
That he was too rash will be alleged by
many; that he was a superior soldier and a
brave man, is the testimony Of every one
who knew him.
He fell fighting nobly Tor his country
Still more, he died ia the defense of his ma
tive State. No demonstrating soil
drank up his blood, but all of him that was
mortal is buried in the bosom of his own
native State.
Major General Doubleday succeeded to
the command of the First Corps, and~igor-
ously continued the operations commenced
by Reynolds, Wadsworth being already
engaged near the Seminary, west of the
town. Robinson's Division formed on the
right and Doubleday's Division on the left
of Wadsworth, and the whole line adj
vanced through the woods, driving back
the enemy. Soon, however, solid masses
of rebel troops were seen coming up and
taking position on the right and left TANKS,
and it was evident that hot work was on
hand.
Gen. Doubleday so distributed his forces
as TO hold neck of woods on an eminence
which was the key to the position. He
continued with desperate fighting t" hold
ms ground until the Eleventh Corps arriv-
ed and came TO his relief. Maj. Gen. How
ard then assumed command of the forces.
One brigade from Steinwher' 5 division, was
sent into the town TO hold it. Gen. How
ara, seeing the vital importance of seizing
upon and hold the commandind positions,
directed Gen. Steinwher to take his re-
manning brigade and the reserve artillery,
place ~ on the Cemetery hill, and tc de-
fend the heights.
The divisions commanded by Schurz and
| Barlow were sent up to the immediate sup