Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1863-07-11
The Battle of Wedne sday.


The great contest which has resulted SO
glorious to the Army Of the Potomac under
Gen. Meade, opened ut Gettysburg on
Wednesday, when the First Corps, under
Msjor General Reynolds, were about half
mile beyond the town. The action on
"Wednesday was ssngunary in the extreme,
and was mainly fought by the First Corps
Gen. Reynelis was killed by sharpshoot.
er early in the fight, when the command oi
the Corps deyolved upon Gen. Doubleday.
The correspondent of the Philadelphia
Enquirer, on the field, thus speaks of the
doings of the First Corps, and the terrific
bayonet charge Of Col. Meredith's Western
Brigade: ....
The First and Third Divisions first reach.
ed the front, and after being placed 10 posi-.
iion, the Second, still keeping up its double
quick, coming immediately up the right
of the line. Soon after, the rebels advanc
cd and opened FIRE along the entire line
Meredith's brigade, all Western troops
dashed forward. and with fixed bayonets
and good solid Union cheer, succeeded
in capturing near six hundred prisoners
The First and Third Divisions holding their
OVID, and finding no impression could be
made upon them, the enemy turned their
attention to the splendid division under
command of Gen. Robinson. This division
being situated upon ridge, and having no
support, ives obliged not only TO fight the
front, bat protect his flank.
Suddenly a strong column of rebels
came upon this divisions front. Volley
after volley was poured into them, but
steadily they advancrd. Finding the rife
balls had no effect upon them, recourse
was had to cold steel. The brigade under
the gallant Baxter was ordered to charge
bsyonets upon them, and so well did they
obey this order that the rebels were com.
PEELED TO retire with a loss, 10 prisoners
taken alone, Of some four hundred and
eighty men.
At this juncture the rebels were seen
advancing in force on the right flank of
the division. But finding himself hard
push ID 10 that direction, be sent for the
excellent brigade under command of Gen.
Paul, who Immediately came up. but not
a moment too soon, as the rebels were
found 20 be coming out Of the dense woods
on both fanks, as well as in front, and in
immense force; again did the Second repel
them. 1t was while bravely leading the
latter charge that the noble Gen. Paul
received the fatal wound.
All this time the First and third divis.
ions were being hard pushed. but still held
their ground the Second division doing the
hard work, requiring frequent changes and
prompt decisions in its commanding officer
So fnpid and frequent had they been firing
that at this time they were completely ont
ammunition. and were compelled to get that
then very useful article from the cartridge
boxes OF their dead and wounded com
rades
While the fight was progressing, and
the firing the hottest, Lieutenant of the
Eighty-eighth Pennsylvania came up to
Gen Robioson. and, after saluting. in M
speech. presented the flag OF the
Sixteenth Alsbsms. Another Gag was
captured by the Nipety-seventh New
York. s's s-9 itt.
So rapidly Iete the rsbtls. Teinforees
With fresh troops 10 those attempts toiturb
the Firsts left, that il obliged the order to