Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-07-06
MONDAY. JULY q. 1868.
The victory at gettysburg.

The victory at Gettysburg
We have the most cheering news from the
battlefield at Gettysburg. Our army under
Gen. Meade has beaten the rebel army under
Lee and brought it to much grief. Lees bold
and insolent invasion of Pennsylvania has
terminated in disastrous failure. 1t appears
that Lee concentrated his whole army at Get
tysburg, intending to overwhelm our force
that had taken position there. He felt sure Of
triumph over Meade, for he believed that
our army of the Potomac could not withstand
him. So, on Wednesday of last week, he hurried
down the divisions of Ewell and Hill to attack
and defeat our advance corps. The attack was
made but did not succeed. On Wednesday
night the largest part of Gen. Meade's army
arrived there, and the whole of Lees army
came up. Gen. Meade arrived about two
O'Clock, Thursday morning, and Immediately
put his men in position and made arrange
ments for Il great battle, next day.
For some reason, the rebels did not renew
the attack until Thursday afternoon. They
seem to have spent the time in making ar
engagements for an attack so tremendous that
it could not fail of success. At length they
moved forward, with their whole force and a
vast array Of artillery. They did attack with
tremendous force, and with a show of the ut
most desperation; but they were repulsed at
all points with horrible slaughter Every
repetition of the attack met a similar repulse,
and at last they were compelled to retire de-
feated. 1t was desperate and bloody battle
resulting in very serious disaster to the rebels.
Our loss is said to have been heavy. 1t was
on this day, we suppose, that Col. Ward and
other officers of the Fifteenth Massachusetts
were killed. They were in the I'd corps
which had part in the heaviest of the fight
ing.
1t is easy to see that after this battle Lee
must have felt much encouragement. He
could not afford to submit to such defeat,
and did not see how to retrieve his fortunes.
But he resolved to make still another attack,
and make it with such desperation as would,
if possible, win success. Therefore, ON Fri.
day. he again CAME forward and assailed our
army, and one of the most tremendous battles
ever heard of followed The fighting was
terrible, and the slaughter of the attacking
rebels by our artillery was almost indescriba-
bic. The result was defeat of the rebels
more disastrous and terrible than that of the
day previous. They were now not only re-
pulsed, but also followed and driven. Lees
army was now thoroughly defeated and bro
ken, and had neither spirit nor force to renew
the conflict The Union army had won a
great and glorious victory; and the rebels
could do nothing now but make desperate
attempt to retreat and get across the Potomac
into Virginia. At last accounts they were in
full retreat, with our men in rapid pursuit
1t is nowise likely that the rebel army will
find its attempted flight into Virginia as pleas
ant 1.og~ las successful as Gen. Lee desires.
tomac, and between the Potomac and Gettys-
burg, to give him a proper reception. Little
or nothing has been said of this in the dis
patches, but Gen. French now informs Gen.
Halleck that he has destroyed the rebel pom
toon bridge at Wiliamsport; and it is stated
that force is ready for work in that quarter,
and much larger force, we suspect, than
most OF us have supposed. 1t is also stated
that force of eighteen thousand men have
approached the flank of the rebel army from
the direction of Harrisburg. Moreover, Lees
army must be short of ammunition, after so
much fighting, as their source of supplies is at
great distance, and their line of commune
cation is seriously embarrassed News of
the progress of their retreat will be awaited
with lively interest. A complete rout and
dispersion of that army will be death blow
to the rebellion.