The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1863-07-17
THE, GREAT BATTLES
OF GETTYSBURG.
..Carlcton'>" Graphic Description.
From the Boston Journal.
GETTYSBURG.

MIA. Nearly forty miles, little north of
,ts, from Frederick on the head waters of
the Monocacy. Rock creek, which in spring
time leaps over huge granite boulders, runs
south mile east of the town, and is the
main stem of the Monocacv. A week ago
stated that in all probability battle would
b- -t,ught in this vicinity. Being county
>.ot it is also a grand center for this section
%, he State, contains six or eight thousand
Inhabitants, and has beautiful location, sur
r,undcl with scenery of quiet beauty, hills,
y.lIeys, the dark outline and verdure clad
,.lcS of the Blue Ridge in the west, ant, the
l,.ytd up, bi!lowy Cacoctin range on the
-Outh.
II ycu have seen map, you will see it is
& focus for roads north, east, south, west,
from nearly all points Of the compass. You
agc reminded ot srifer. Or bug, or an old
t.dHy Iong-legs, with lis numerous limbs
..acAiug il all directions.
Notice its locality. The Cacocln range #
mountains is south Of it-knolls here, but
ten miles down, over the State line, they be
come mountains Of respectable size. There
age two ranges-the Cacoctin, the South
Mountain, with narrow valley Of saGpass-
Ing lchness, fertility and beauty between.-
Gettysburg is at the head of this valley Down
in Mary land the mountain walls have few
gateways, so few that Lee, having massed his
army at Gettysburg, could not be tianked
through these passes except by very large
force To attack him there from the south
or from the direction of Hagerstown would
be a complete division Of our army. 1t
would b. comparatively an easy matter for
him to fall on our inferior force, debauching
through the South Mountain passes and an
initiate it, because it would not be in sup
porting distance of any force moving upon
him east of Gettysburg. Or, if a supe-
ror force were to move through those passes
to attack him, he being at the head of the
mountaia range, would have an open road to
Baltimore. Prudent commanders do not di-
,idr tlioiI al ,iios unless III superior TOTCe lU
the enemy.
make this explanation in regard to the
locality that the motions, and marchings and
concentration of the Union army may be ca
silly understood. Lee chose Gettysburg for a
battle ground because he knew he could not
be tanked on the south as that any attempt
to flank him there would be just what he
would like to see. Chess players sometimes
set traps. Perhaps he thought Meade would
rush through those gaps to cut him OFT from
the Potomac at Williamsport. A bold, dash
ins military commander genius-migh;
do it and succeed, but the balance of chances
would be against it :; that is with force on
y as large as that of Lees.
On Saturday last We did not know what
Lees intentions were. The army at Freder-
lex, and Meade was placed in command.
Early, of Ewell's corps of rebels, was al
York on the Susquehanna, threatening tc
cross the Columbia bridge. Rhodes and
Johnson of his corps were in front of Har.
r!sburg. Phladel phia was greatly excltet
tor fear that Lee was about to make granc
lash fos It's capture. The army must b.
mcneuvered to circumvert him. If he cross
I'd at Harrisburg, Meade must cross below It
preserve his short line of march to keep III
inside Of the track and get in ahead. Or
he was not intending such a scheme, it Wa
aecessary TO keep the army IN position +
head him off from an advance upon Balti
more and Washington. 1t may be easil
sean that if Meade, alarmed for Philadel lphia
should throw his entire army over to tn
Susqu"hanra north of Baltimore, that by rap
ID, march to the mouth of the Monocacy. h
could keep Meade ct bay, and hence Bait
more and " ashington would be at his mere!
Some such considerations as these dOuhties
were elements in Lees calculations. But tn
inion army has not been thrown over to th
SuSquehanna, neither has Baltimore c
Washington been uncovered, but has bee
so maneuvered that it could be concentrate
right or left as circumstances might require
THE MOVEMENTS.
On Sunday the 2Sth Of June, the first an
eleventh corps were at Middletown. in II
valley between the Cacoctin and the Bit
Ridge. They might have moved direct
north over the hil!y road to Gettysburg, b'
they were moved east to Frederick, and the
directly up the Monocacy valley, on the We
side Of the stream. through MechanicstoW
and Emmetsburg to Gettysburg. where the
arrived yesterday. Their line of march WI
direct, and therefore shorter than the rout
Of the other corps. The Cacoctin range ";
wall to them all the way, preventing 1t
from making a counter movement and attac
ing them in the flank The second and fiji
corps were made the center column and we
thrown across the Monocacy, east, thr
miles above Frederick, and moved northea
through Union to Frizesburg, which is ne
the State line. The third and twelfth cor
took the Middleburg road, which is midw
these, and Of course little nearer to Getty
burg as center than that taken by the OF
er two corps. The sixth crossed the Mono
acy east of Frederick, and pushing for We.
minister.