New-York daily tribune., 1863-07-06
Fridny's Battle Semi. On,ciaI Report.

Fridny's Rattle Semi. O m, ciaI Report.
HrADauARrKKs, ARxr o, rHE PoloxAc.l
FsiDAY. July 1889.
The decisive battle has been fought to-day, and
the enemy have been rspulsed with terrific lose. At
daylight, Lees right wing batteries opened upon
our left, and shortly after those OF hs ctner fol.
lowed. After half an hours canponsdng, doing
but little damage TO as, the fire sabkened, and ooiy
oecasionsl sbots were exchanged. Shortly after.
ward the enemys left, composed entirely Of infan-
try and sharpehooieu, made an attack On
our right wing. So sudden and mpe,uousy was 1t
accomplished, that our tkirmisters and front line
we're driven back from their intrenchments, but BY
The aid OF The batteries in the rear, and the indon
liable bravery of the lllh corps, we regained the
first position, capturing q considerable number OF
prisoners.
Several hours Of omiuous silence followed this re-
pulse. At one o'clock tho enemy fred two sbos,
apparently signals for the graudesi artillery fight
ever Witnessed on this continent. Before nomeot
had cag sed it is estimated that at least 80 guns
opened upon us. Oar batteries returned The com.
FIiment with interest. Tho air seemed literally thick
with ;on, aud for more than III hour il seemed i'm.
possible that man or beast could live through il.
Strange to say, tho eDemys q accuracy Of range, us
exbibi on the t~ previous days, was wanting OF
this occasion. Most Of their shsils exploded lar in
the rear Of cur front, and generally mtseiOg bat.
terics. Under cover OF tbs feu denfer. Lee sd-
vanced his columns Of infantry for tie covers and
made several desperate attempts 10 carry the lines
by ss,su, tut each successive attempt was repulsci
with terrific havoc TO their ranks. After an h, ur's
incessan, cannoradmg the Ere grew .ss intenss for
n short time, but was again renewed Tor a
little while with great spirit. During tbs period,
some Of our batteries, whose ammunition beiug ex.
pepded aid the men exhausted, ceased TO fire, and
On the approach Of tho reserve batteries withdrew
to tho rear. The enemy only seeing the batteries
Withdrawing, and initiating this Tor retreat, made
q rapid infantry chs:ge up tho hill aid obtained
poson in our line, cutting to pieces and anost
Initiating the small infantry supports but before
they bad rme to rejoice Mt their imaginary success
the frrsh batteries poared in deadly tire OF canister
and &-o shot The Infantry reserves joined on
eitber flank of the gap, chraged them acdsd greatly
70 their destruction. They were completely sur
rised AID hundreds threw DOWN their srm-. and
nsked for quarter Nearly the entire brigade OF
Gen. Dick Garnet surrendered, and Garnet, him
self wounded. barely made bis escape.
Lon street was MORALLY wounded and cspiured.
lie is reportrd 10 have died IN an hour af.erword
About 4 80 p. H. tie sri.l cry Of tie enemy slack.
ened, and had entirely ceased st ), the last shos
which t.ey tired being fsr beyond the sisuifei pos.
lion, aud tue infantry columns had withdrawn to
their covers.
We took upwards 5000 prisoners. The enemy
e. q ~. II
prisoners report that Gen. A. L. Illl was XII ont
got Upon the field, and that their officers suffered
far greater oa.uslilies than in any prev engage
meut. So terrific was the enemy's ire that lhe
small house here Gen. Meade and statf were quar-
tered, was rerio,aied by several shots. MANY Of
the staff horses were keda round tie house.
Gen. Batterheld was struck ia the bre 81. and it
"a feared internally injured, by piece of sneli whlcI
exploaed IN the building. Leut-Col. Joseph
Dickinson of the stuff had bis Left perforated by
n flying fragment OF shell, and il seemed me aee
thai no greater damage was doae To !iie OF hmL.
Several OF our general officers were wounded in The
engagement Gen. Hancock wa. wounded in tie
leg. Gems. Gbbon, Wareo, and Hunt, We're
wounded la consequence Of the excitement aud
Difficulty in rtaning thesr locations the
OF many promlnens officer reported IS killed.
wounded, cannot be ascertalned to-n'ght.
Too much credit cannot lie gwen to our batteries,
who for hours stood to their guos under broiIing
sun and surrounded by the m.-es Of death, retiring
only 10 give their positions to Others, wheu ther
caissous aud hnbers were exhausted Of ammunition.
The ia'aruy engaged also roby did their duty, hnd
the enemy to-day at their bands have received the
greatest dsasier ever administered BY toe Union
forces. All officers award tie highest honors 10
Gen. Meade, for the able gtneralship he has dis
played since hc assumed command, and particularly
Tor hs coolness, decision, aud energy oh this mem
orable Sd Of July. Lat pght believing 1t 10 10 his
duty to the Cause aud to learn how far ne would be
Supported in the approaching conaict, he summoned
his corps and division commanders tor consultation.
GccuuafiOu Of O.. clfy sLuru.