The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-10-16

ASSu0 VI tuo cuSdScIuout vi bllo urot udy
and in view Of the valuable results that
would ensue from the defeat of the army
of Gen. Meade, it was thought advisable
to renew the attack.
The remainder of Ewell's and Hills
corps arrived, and two divisions Of Long
streets, our preparations were made &C
cordingly. During the afternoon intelli-
gence was received of Gen. Stuart's arrival
at Carlisle, and he was ordered to march to
Gettysburg, and take position on the left.
A full account of these engagements can
not be given until the reports of the
several commanding officers sail have
been received, and I shall only offer a
general description. a
The preparations for attack were not
completed until the afternoon of the 3D.
The enemy held high and command
ing ridge, along which he had massed a
large amount of artillery. General Ewell
occupied the left of our line, General Hill
the centre, and General Longstreet the
right. In the front of Gen. Longstreet
the enemy held position, from which, if
he could be driven, it was thought that
our army could be used to advantage in
assailing the more elevated ground beyond,
aud thus enable us to reach the crest of the
ridge. That officer was directed to en-
deavor to Gerry this position, while Gen.
Ewell attacked the high ground on the
enemy's right, which had already been
partially fortified. General Hill was in
structed to threaten the centre of the
Federal line, in order to prevent reinforce
ments being sent to either wing, and, to
to avail himself of any opportunity that
might present itself to attack.
After severe struggle Longstreet sue
ceeded in getting possession of and hold
ing the desired ground. Ewell also car
ried some of the strong positions which he
assailed, and the result was such as to lead
to the belief that he would ultimately be
able to dislodge the enemy. The battle
ceased at dark.
These partial successes determined me
to continue the assault next day Pickett,
with three of his brigades, joined Long
street the following morning, and our bat
teries were moved forward to the position
gained by him the day before.
The general plan Of attack was un-
changed, except that one division and two
brigades of Hills corps were ordered to
support Longstreet.
The enemy, in the meantime, had
strengthened his line with earthworks.
Tie morning was occupied in necessary
preparations, and the battle recommended
in the afternoon of the Sd, and ragged with
great violence until sunset. Our troops
succeeded in entering the advanced works
of the enemy and getting possession OF
some Of his batteries but our artillery
having nearly expended its ammunition,
the attacking columns became exposed to
the heavy fire of the numerous batteries
near the summit of the ridge, and, after a
most determined and gallant struggle, were
compelled to relinquish their advantages,
and fall back to their original positions
with severe loss.
The coiduct of the troops was all that
could desire or expect, and they deserved
success, so far as it can be deserved by
heroic valor and fOrtitude. More may
have been required of them than they
were able to perform, but my admiration
of their noble qualities, and confidence in
their ability to cope successfully with the
enemy, has suffered no abatement from
theissue of this protracted and sanguinary
| conflict.
Owing to the strength Of the enemy's
| position and the reduction Of our ANNA
milton, q renewal OF the engagement
could not be hazarded, and the difficulty
of procuring supplies rendered it impossi-
| bic to continue longer where we were.
| Such OF the wounded as were in condi
ton to be removed, and part of the arms
collected On the field, were ordered tc
Williarnsport. The army remained al
Gettysburg during the 4th, and at night
began to retire by the road to Fairfield
carrying with { about 1900 prisoners
Nearly 2,000 had previously been paroled
but the enemy's numerous wounded, thai
had falen into our hands after the first
and second days engagements, were left
behind.
Little progress was made that night
owing to q severe storm, which greatly
embarrassed cur movements. The real
of the column did not leave it's position
near Gettysburg, until after daylight OF
the 9th.
The march was continued during the
d4y without interruption from the enemy
except an uniInportant demonstration upol
our rear in the afternoon, when near Fair
field, which was easily checked. Part O
our train moved by the road through Fair
field, and the rest by the way OF Wash
town, guarded by Gen. Imboden. Il
passing through the mountains, in advanc
of the column, the great length Of th
trains exposed them to attack by the en-
emy's cavalry, which captured numbe
of wagons and ambulances but they sue
ceeded ia reaching Wiliamsport withou
serious loss.
They were attacked at that place on tn
9th by the enemy's cavalry, which wa
gallantly repulsed by Gen. Imboden. Th
attacking force was subsequently encour
tered and driven off by Gen. Stuart, an
pursued for several miles in the directio
of Boonesboro The army after an ardr
GUS march, rendered mere difficult by til
rains, reached Hagerstown On the aftel
noon of the 9th and morning Of the 1t
, July.
, The Potomac was found to be so muc
swollen by the rains that had fallen almo
necessarily since our entrance into Mar.
land as to be unfordable. Our commun
: cations with the south side were thus il
terrupted, and it was difficult to procu
> either ammunition or subsistence, the la