The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-07-06

rapid and very esctive One gun sssmsd 70 hur sort
Of bolt, which came with . dismal whir-r and was d.
rected exclusively towards signal flag upon the rock;
but could hear it coming, and by crouchng behind
huge boulder, avoid its Effects At time the IRE
grew 80 hot that our arterists compelled for
moment to lie down. and just then rebel brigade broke
Of the woods behind their battery and dashed down
towards on run, yelling like demons. General War
rem despatched aid to General Meade troops, and
we anxously awaited the co&hug OF the enemy. Swiftly
they swept down over the field; but a. they in
front OF their pieces artiersts depressed their
guns and poured into the rebels tempest Of snot
that checked Them then broke their line and compelled
them to fall fiat behind little ridge. -
Hardly had we recovered from our repidation when
the entire Geld behind the rebel batteries seemed alive
with troops Three long lines of rebels behind the
other, came out at right angle with line, and
silently but swiftly moved down upon US. Our condition
was frgbtfully critical General Meade could not be
found General Sckcs fighting desperately in front
with Hill, and could not spare man. Longstreet
sweeping upon with his whole corps, and not
brigade was up to check him The IRE IN front grew
hotter The Second corps and all along the ridge
from Round Top to our right the lines swayed 70 and
fro beneath the canopy Of SMOKE which glsamed in the
setting like fiery furnace and still the enemy pressed
nearer left, coming down upon with fearful ra
the little knoll red pieces still playing; but ifthey
do have help they lost. General Warrens
aids all gone for reinorcements; the bullets be-
Gin TO whistle u.s. the enemy reaches the base
the mountain discover the coors OF tho Firth
corps coming up through the woods behind u.s. How our
hearts eaped the stripes and heard the rush OF
the leaves and rocks and az we crouched
the cleft wondered which would reach us rst the
rebels or our men. There is rumble down below there
and battery up at gailop, bounding over the
boulders, away up upon the peak. and almost before
speak. shower Of canister rains down upon the
rebels other side The First division of the Fifth
reaches tho top gdes down among the limestone blocks,
and the musketry grows terrible. The enemy is too
strong Slowly he presses up the hill, and his right
swings round the mountain view but the Second
division arrives, then the Third aud the battle RACES
awfuy while the rebels falter, struggle for foothold
and them with grand rush OF desperation strike FOR
the CREST where lie watching them but it is too late,
and their shattered regiments drift slowly back upon the
tide OF battle down into the valley. All this tme the
fighting the Is fearful like that Niagara
deafens u.s. and the air ed with fends contend
ing with the Gerceness OF fallen angels The sun sinks
behind the mountains and still the battle RACES.
Darkness gathers u.s. the infantry still keep their
murderous FIRE, and the cannon shake the hills with their
thunder but the din to be essenng and as tho
systematically, and the weary columns sink upon the
ground for rest We successful. The enemy has
saulted u.s. been repused with terrific slaughter Hill
and Lonreet have for hours hurled their upon
lines and reckoning tho bitter cost OF their
experiment but whore 10 Ewellf
Nearly fifteen hundred prisoners have been captured;
but Is Of kwes corps. Has he gone of upon
other expedition II he moving round upon rear
No TELL Prisoners cross questioned; but
obtained. Cavalry out the tanks, the art
planted protect the aud infantry dis
posed in positions that win enable the troops support
any portion OF our line.
The hours slip by, and our rear s quiet the right aud
left undsturbed; but suddeny the enemy assaults
the centre again. prisooers taken and among Thorn
from Ewes command. We begin TO breathe easier
BY and by another in, then half score and we
know that tho whole rebel army is before No more
anxiety for The firing in front ceases, the in
fantry sleep by their muskes and the cannoners su
Der beneath their guns, disturbed and then by
random shot from tho batteries tho scattering
| FIRE OF the skirmishcrs.
This morning the artillery opened the right and the
cannonading quite heavy. The battle will undoubtedly
be renewed to-day and may perhaps DO fierce than
that Of yesterday SO far have been emnentiy
cessfu All feel confident Of victory. aud the will 60
flushed with the prospect OF destroying the
| rebel army.
yet be determined. We have lost heavily but
knew that have suffered much less than the enemy.
The rebel General Barksdsle killed, and reported
that Longstreet and Hill wounded. General Sickes
has lost his right leg and General Graham wounded
Generals Weed, Willard and Zook are killed. Lists Of
casualties will be forwarded at the earliest opportunity
but only able 10 send meagre account Of the
nght owing the short space Of allotted before
the departure Of the mail and the limited conveniences
i for writing on the field.
Yesterday Captain Dahlgren captured bearer Of des-
patches from Jc Davis to ec which the latter told
that he cannot have achievements; that the rebs
AFFAIRS on the Mississippi are In critical condition. and
that he (se) must take Washington possible. General
Couch believed TO be advancing upon the enemy from
Harrisburg, and Lee cannot expect to north OF the
Potomac long. Indeed already have report from
reliable that the enemys ponoons being Lard
down wiamsport and that all sraggers Of the rebel
army have ordered down the valley II 10 not im
probable that the enemy preparing already 70
Pennsylvania, and my next communication may be the
Of the defeat and utter overthrow Of Ice
should he attack to-day he win nd ready and his
shattered columns may deem themselves fortunate II
| one.haif Their number ever gets back 10 Virginia.
MR.. GEO. W. HOSMER'S DESPATCH.
| ARxv or TuE PoroxAc, July 4, 1855.
On Friday wrote you account OF Thursdays battle
In which, whatever else may have done did not dc
justice TO the stubborn in which men held
their position in the night battle right; for,
hausted by labor the reld, by subsequent ride Of
hfty miles in the saddle, and by loss Of sleep,
| able TO write than did at that time.
| Early IN the day Thursday our right
| w& regarded as the critical point in oul
! line Opposite 10 IL the enemy thought
TO have his forces and his approach TO the Bs
more turnpike easiest and shortest by that way Con
scausuly considerable pains taken 10 Strengthen
position there From tho eastern side Of Cemetery
Hill Rock creek aud along Rock creek to the Baltimore
road runs ridge. naturally difncun Of from TIM
northern eastern side Cor from approach In either Of
these directions covered by the creek and sides
rocky and precipous In many places dersely wooded
everywhere The defence Of this line had been entrusted