The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1863-07-17

wooded hill are newly mown fields, the grass
springing fresh and green since the mower
has swept over it, In these fields are batter
les with breastsworks thrown up by Howard
on Wednesday night-light affairs, not in
tended to resist cannon shot, but TO protect
the cannoniers from sharp shooters. You
see his lines Of infantry behind stone walls.
The cannoniers are lying beside their pieces
sleeping perhaps, but at any rate keeping
close, for, occasionally, bullet comes this
way. Looking north over the fields, mile
or two across the railroad, ysu see beauti-
ful hrming country-felds of ripened grain
-russet mingled with the green in the land
scape. Across the railroad which comes into
town from the northeast you see the rebel
batteries. Horsemen are gallopihg over the
fields, sharp shooters are lying under the
fences. Thele are puffs of smoke from
hedges, and you hear the sharp crack of the
rife and at the same instant the flight of the
unseen something in the air close at hand,
which, though you have heard it, often causes
you to shrug your shoulders.
| Away off beyond the town, northwest, is a
hill, wood-crowned, slsping gradually to the
south, dotted with the white canvass of wa
tbr 10
comes in. Down at It's base is the Lutheran
Theological Seminary, 4 large brick building,
half hid by ths tall forest trees that surround
1t. Between the seminary arc the town are
sKooth meadows, with here aud there an
oak or walnut standing alone in the land
scape. There, south of the seminary, is the
fine residence of DIR. Schmucker, well known
in the theological world as an able writer
and thinker. The distance from the ceme
terry to the seminary is mile and half |
should Judge 1t is within range of How
ards guns, for their marching from the town
is small column, and ths twelve-pound Par
rots drop half dozen shells among the men, +,
who move off at quicker step.
Looking nearer, at our own line, you see,
as yos turn your face from the northwest to
the south, tn It this ridge tends little to the
southeast. Adjoining the cemetery is an oak
grove on the eastern slope and an apple Or
chard on the western side. Then you come
to cleared fields. Coming up from the south,
is the Tanneytown road. On it is mean
little house, en- the south side of the road,
the American flag flying in front of it
There are horses hitched to the fences md
nibbling the grass in the fields. Officers
with stars on their shoulders are examining
maps, writing and sending off cavalrymen.
1t is Gen Meade's headquarters. 1t is on
the battle field. When the rebel batteries
"ros, it Will be g place
The ridge along here, is smooth, but
miles south of the cemetery it suddenly rises
to hilock, rocky, knobby, with boulders,
and covered with wood. 1t is Round Top
hill. The trees on the top have been cut
away and there is signal station. There is
/ the extreme left of Meade's line.
! Looking now into the northwest, to the
Theological Seminary, you see the counter
ridge of land, lower at the seminary than
this at the cemetery, also running soGth, with
groves, hedges sinsl trees, hillocks and un-
dulations, not so abrubt as on the eastern
ridge. Here is the rebel line. Let US start
now to the hill on our right-the hill We no.
ticsd as we came up the Lttleton road-for
walk along the entire line. We 60 half a
mile little south of west to the town, then
turn south short distance, fifty or sixty
rods, then southeast for a mile and half,
the line being almost two miles long. Be
hind this is concentrated Meade's entire ar
my, with the exception of cavalry. Lee be-
ing outside, of course has a longer line, but
in its general direction Lees conforms to
Meade's, the cemetery being Meade's angle
and the seminary Lees. Ispeak now of the
positions Thursday and Friday.
! FIRST DAYS ENGAGEMENT
Gen Reynolds had received Information
that there were rebels in the vicinity of Get.
tysburg, He was encamped several miles
south of the town, on Marsh creek, enc OF
the affiuents OF the Monocacy. He wa.
moving from Emmettsburg, starting at A.
u. and reaching the town at 10. He sen,
Bufords cavalry with battery ahead ant
found the enemy in considerable force ives,
of the town near the Theological Seminary
approaching by the Cashtown road, which
leads to Chambsrsburg, west. Cutters bri
gade of Wadworth's division was leading
the column, and moved into The open felc
near the seminary on the double quick Mer
ediths brigade of the same brigade, composed
wholly of Western troops.
p Skirmishing commenced, and Reynold
ordered the divisions to advance, which wa
I done, and the rebsls driven from their posi-
! ton.
Finding them in strong and increasin,
force, Robinson's division was brought up OF
the right of WaGsworth. The sharp shootin,
still continued. Gen Reynolds rode over tn
o field toward the house Of DR. Schmucker t,
f reconnoiter, when he received the fatal sho
through his head.
S He had sent note early in the mornin,
b to Gen Howard, who was behind with tn