The Placer herald., 1863-07-11

rled OIL one OF lis two pillars, and the other
followed almost Immediately, carried away
by shot from Whitworth gun. The
spherical iron burst opposite the open door.
Another ripped through the low garret.
Forty minutes passed and the air grew
thicker and the bowling and whirling of the
internal missiles grew more deafening. Not
an orderly, ambulance or stragger was to
be seen upon theplain swept by this tempest
Of orchestral death, twenty minutes after it
commenced. At the expiration of an hour
this ceased, and HIPS corps, in line of bat
tie, moved forward at the double. quick
Longstreet followed in supporting distance
The position Of our here the Sec.
ond Corps, under General Hancock, was
posted, was very strong, one portion resting
on the crest Of Cemetery Hill, protected in
front by breaslwoks of rails taken from
neighboring farms, and on the right by
stone wall. The rebels rushed in perfec,
order across the open field, up to the very
muzz'es Of the guns, which tore a lane
through them as they came; but they met
men who were their equals in spirit and
their superiors in tenacity. Never was bet
ter fighting seen since Thermopvl lac than was
done that Day by our infantry and artillery
The rebels carried our defenses cleared the
cannoneers and horses from one of our guns,
and were whirling it around to use upon US,
when bayonet charge drove them back.
At one time it was found that the ammuni.
,ion of every battery upon the principal
crest attacked was exhausted, and they were
silent, except Crowen's. His service Of
grape and canister was awful. 1t enabled
our line, outnumbeIed as it was two to one,
first to beat tht rebels back and then charge
upon them, t'king great number of pris-
oners. Previous to this, so terrible was our
musketry and artillery fire that, when the
rebel Armsead's brigade WAS checked in its
charge, and stood reeng, all its men drop.
ped their muskets and crawled on their
hands and knees under the stream, close to
our troops, where they made signs of sur
rendering. They passed through our lines
scarcely noticed, and slowy y went down the
slope to the road. TT e rebels were repuls
ed but they renewed the assault half doz-
en- times during the afternoon, and were as
often repnlsed and driven back with
loss unparalleled in any previous battle.
At the eud of two hours the rebel artillery
opened new shot and she'll, under cover Of
which their infantry withdrew in wild disor'
der from one position and then from anoth-
er, throwing away everything that might
impede locomoton. AT five o'clock last
evening (3d) they had withdrawn. The
ground all around was red with blood and
covered with mangled bodies. The field
was spread with evidences Of the great pun.
ishment the enemy had received. Wherev.
er our burying parties found one National
soldier to inter. two rebels were found lying
by his side. The repuse of the rebels was
followed by loud shouts from our troops.
Fifteen stand Of colols were captured 10y
Hancocks corps.
A gentleman who left Gettysburg at ten
O'Clock on Sunday morning (July 5lh,) fur.
nishes the following: Our army advanced
six miles beyond that place There had
port indicated skirmishing on Saturday (JuIy
4th, but nothing Of great importance.
On Saturday, the 4th. our scouts discover
ed the rebel baggage trains on the retreat,
moving rapidly along the llagerslown road,
when battery of flying artillery led by
squadron of Pleasanton's cavalry, were sent
from the left of Cemet,y Hill, in pursuit.
Our m-u dashed rapidly down on the train
A skirmish ensued and the rebel guard drv
en- oF. Reports reached camp that four
miles of trains were captured, All The barns
and houses adjacent to the Litleton Pike
laid under contribution for hospital purposes
Gen Hancock was regarded as the great hero
of fridays battle. His corps lost heavily
and fought noby. When the General fell
severely wounded, the effect on his men was
to give them renewed determination to con,
quer, and when they learned that their
wounded commander was still watching
them and directing their movements they
fought like demons.