The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1863-10-09

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ameasure unavoidable. Encouraged by tn
successful issue Of the engagement of tn
first day, and in view of the valuable re
suits that would ensue from the defeat G
the army of Gen. Meade, it was though
advisable to renew the attack.
The enemy held high and commandin
ridge, along which he had massed larg
amount of artillery. General Ewell occu
pied the left of our line, General Hill tn
centre, and General Longstreet the right
In front of General Longstreet the enem
held position, from which, if he could b'
driven, it was thought that our army coult
be used to advantage in ass>iling the more
elevated ground beyond, and thus enablei
to reach the crest OF the ridge. That Off
Ger was directed to endeavor to carry thi.
position, while General Ewell attacked
directly the high ground on the enemy:
right, which had already been partially for
titled. General Hill was instructed to
threaten the center of the Federal line in
order to prevent reinforcements being sent
to either wing, and to avail himself Of any
opportunity that might present itself to
attack.
After severe struggle, Longstreet sue
cseded in getting possession of and holding
the desired ground. Ewell also carried some
of the strong positions which he sssailed,
and the result was such as to lead to the
belief that he would ultimately be able to
dislodge the enemy. The battle ceased at
dark.
These partial success determined me to
continue the assault on next day. Pickett,
with three ofhis brigades, Joined Longstreet
the following morning, and our batteries
were moved forward to the pesstou gained
by him the day.before.
The general plan ofattack was unchanged,
except that one division and two brigades
of Hills corps wore ordered to support
Longstreet
The enemy in the meantime had strengthen.
ed his line with earthworks. The morning
was occupied in necessary preparations, and
the battle recommended in the afternoon
Of the Sd, and ragged with great violence
until sunset. Our troops succeeded in enter.
ing the advanced works of the enemy, and
getting possession Of some of his batteries
but our artillery having nesrley expended
its ammunition, the attacking columns
became exposed to the heavy fire of the
Numerous batteries near the summit OF ridge
and after most determined aud gallant
struggle were compelled to relinquish their
advantage, and fall back to their Original
positions with severe loss.
The conduct of the troops was all that
could desire or expect, and they deserved
success so far as it can be deserved by he.
roic vaor and fortitude. More may have
been required of them than they were able
to perform, but my admiration Of their no.
BILE qualities, and confidence in their ability
to cope successfully with the enemy, has
suffered no abatement from the issue ofthis
protracted and sanguinary conflict.
Owing to the strength Of the enemy's
position and the reduction Of our ammuni-
ton, a renewal of the conflict could not be
hazarded, and the difficulty of procuring
supplies rendered it impossible to continue
longer where we were. Such of the wounded
as were in condition to be removed, and q
portion of the arms collected on the field
were ordered to Williamsport. The army
remained at Gettysburg during the 4th, and
at night began to retire by the road to Fair
field, carrying with it about four thousand
prisoners. Nearly two thousand had been
previously paroled, but the enemys hume
rous wounded that had fallen into our hands
after the first ond second DAYS engagement,
were left behind.
Little progress was made that night, ow-
ing to severe storm, which greatly em-
barrassed our movements. The rear of the
column did not leave its position near Get
tysburg until after daylight on the 5tb.
The march was continued during the day
without interruption by the enemy, except
an important demonstration upon our rear
In the afternoon, when near Fairfield,
which was easily checked. Part OF our
train moved by the road through Fairfield
and the rest by Ind way Of Cashtown,
guarded by Gen. Imbodeu. In passing
through the mountains, in advance of the
column, the great length Of the trains ex-
posed them TO attack by the enemy's cav
airy which captured number of wagons
and ambulances; but they succeeded in
reaching Williamsport without serious loss.
They were attacked at that place on the
9th by the enemy's cavalry, which was gal.
lantly repulsed by Gen. Imboden. The at
tackiDg force was subsequently encountered
and driven off by Gen. Stuart, and pursued
for severa, miles in the direction Of Boons-
boro. The army after an arduous march,
rendered more difficult by the rains, reach.
ed Hagerstown on, the afternoon Of the 9th
and morning OF the 7th July.
The Potomac was found % be much
swollen by the rains, that had fallen al
most incessantly since our entrance into
Maryland, as to be unfordable. Our com
municalions with the south side were thus
interrupted, and it was difficult to procure
either ammunition or substance, the latter
difficulty being enhanced by the high water
impeding the working Of The neighboring
mills. The trains with the wounded and
prisoners were compelled to await at Viii
Transport the subsiding Of the river and the
construction of boats, as the pontoon bridge
left at Falling Waters bad been partially
destroyed. The enemy had not yet made
his appearance, bat as he was in condition
to obtain large reinforcements, and our sit
uation, for the reasons above mentioned,