The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-11-21

infantry TO continue harraSsing the enemy
put the army in motion for Middletown.
ana orders were Immediately sent to Mai.
Gen'l French, at Frederick to re-occupy
marpers Ferry, and send a force to occupy
turner's Pass, in South Mountain. sub.
seqaently ascertained that Major General
French had not only anticipated these or
ders, in part, but had pushed cavalry
Iorce 10 Wlliiamsporrt and Falling Waters,
Where they discovered the enemy's pontoon
bridge and captured it's guard. Buford
was al the same time sent to Williamsport
and Hagerstown. The duty above assign
70 the cavalry was most successfully ac-
compllsned, the enemy being greatly har-
fassed, his trains destroyed, and many
captures of guns and prisoners made.
After halting day at Middletown to
procure necessary supplies and bring up
tralhs, the army moved through South
Mountain, and by the llth of July, was in
mont OF the enemy, who occupied strong
position on the heights near the marsh
which runs in advance Of Williamsport.-
In taking this position several skirmishes
and affairs Lad been had with the enemy,
principally by the cavalry and the 11th and
9TH corps. The 18th was occupied in re-
conncIssances OF the enemy's position and
preparations for an attack; but on advanc-
ing on the morning of the l4th, it was as
certained that he had retired the night pre-
vious by the bridge at Falling Waters and
ford at Williamsport. The cavalry in pur-
suit overlook the rear guard at Falling
Waters, capturing two guns and numerous
prisoners. Previous to the retreat of the
enemy. Gregg's division of cavalry was
crossed at Harper's Ferry, and coming up
with the rear OF the enemy at Charlestown
and Shepardstown, had spirited contest,
in which the enemy was driven to Mar
tinsburg and Winchester, ard pursued and
harrassed in his retreat
The pursuit was resumed by flank
movement Of the army crossing the Poto-
mac at Berlin and moving down the Lou
don Valley. The cavalry were Immediate
ly pushed into several passes of the Blue
Ridge, and having learned from servants
of the withdrawal of the Confederate army
from the lower valley of the Shenandoah,
the army (the Sd corps, Major General
French, being in advance, the army was
moved into Manassas Gap in the hope of
being able to Intercept a portion of the enc
my in possession of the Gap, was disputed
so successfully as to enable the rear guard
to withdraw by the way of Strasburg. The
Confederate army retiring to the Rapi-
dan, position was taken with the army
on the line Of the Rappahannock, and the
campaign terminated about the close of
July.
The result Of the campaign may be brief
ly stated in the defeat of the enemy at Get
tysburg, his compulsory evacuation of
Pennsylvania and Maryland, and his with
drawal from the upper valley of the Shen-
andoah; and in the capture Of gums, Al
standards and 1861 prisoners; "a ,97S small
arms were collected on the battle field
Our own losses were very severe, amount
ing as will be seen by the accompanying
return, to 2,S34 killed, 1906 wounded and
6,6i3 missing-in all, %, 1856.
1t is impossible, in report of this nature,
to enumerate all the instances Of gallantry
and good conduct which distinguished such
hard-fought field as Gettysburg. The re-
port Of the corps commanders and their
subordinates, herewith submitted, will fur
nish all the information upon this subject.
1 will only add my tribute to the heroic
bravery of the whole army. officers and
men, which, under the blessing of Divine
Providence, enabled a crowning victory to
be obtained, which I feel confident the
country will never cease to bear in grateful
remembrance. 1t is my duty, as well as
my pleasure to call attention to the earnest
efforts at cooperation on the part of Major
Gen. D. n. Couch, commanding the De-
partment of the Susouehanna, and particu-
larly to his advance of 1900 men, under
Brig. Gen. w. T. Smith, who joined me at
Boonsboro, Just prior to the withdrawal of
the Confederate army.
In conclusion, l desire to return my
thanks to my Staff, general and personal,
to each and all of whom, / was indebted
for unremitting activity and most efficient
assistance.
Very respectfully. your obt serv't,
GEO. G. MEADE,
Major General Commanding.
Brig. General l.. Thomas, A. GU. S. A.,