Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-07-15

LAY in heaps beyond the village whose spires
| cleaned peacefully in the sunset before them i.
! Reynolds the beloved, and the brave, was
dead. and Zook sumbered beside him. Bar
low, Paul, many field and scores of line Off
GERS had been killed. The men OF the First
corps alone could in few instances turn to
speak TO the ones who stood beside them in
the morning without meeting with a vacant
space. The havoc in that corps was so fright
fui as to decimate il fully e-haf, and that
IN the Eleventh corps-nobly rescued from
the suspicion which rested upon it before
was scarce ly less great. Yet the little army
ninched not, but stood ready to fall as others
mad fallen even to the last man. With what
thrill of relief Gen. Howard. who had sent
messenger after messenger during the day
to Slocum and Sickels, saw in the distance at
evening the approaching bayonets of the
Third and Twelfth corps, only they can tell
who fought beside him. Those. corps arri-
we'd and assumed positions to the right and
left of the First and Eleventh Corps on
the heights about Cemetery Hill at dusk.
The enemy made no further dem onstation that
night. Geu. Meade and staff arrived before
ii O'Clock. The commander then examined
the position. and posted the several corps In
the following order The Twelfth (Slocum)on
the right, the Eleventh (Howard) next, the
Second (Hancock), First doubleday, and
Third (Sickels) in the center, the Fifth (Sykes)
on the extreme left The situation was bril-
liant commanding. For almost the first time
IN the history of this army's career belong
ed the advantage in the decisive battle which
ensued.
The heights on which our troops were pos
ted sloped gently downward from our front.
The line stretched in senli-circle-its con-
vex center towards Gettysburg, the extremes
toward the southwest and south. Ledges on
the interior sides gave our soldiers in some
instances partial shelter from artillery. Ev-
a lad Al
the routes by which Lee might otherwise
soonest retreat in case of his defeat were all
in our possession. AT every one weaker than
others reserves were judiciously posted, and
the oavalry-an arm of the service scarcely
brought into play in some recent and destruc-
tive battes-protected both our TANKS in i'm
mense numbers.
Thus the great army lay down to sleep at
midnight, and awoke on the morn OF a day
more sanguinary than the last.
ThE BATTLE OF THURSDAY.
On what spectacle the sun of Thursday
rose, the memory of at least that portion of
our forces who witnessed it from Cemetery
Hill will linger forever. From its crest the
muzzle of fifty cannon pointed towards the
ills beyond the town From the bluffs to
the right and left additional artillery frowned,
and away on either side, in graceful and ma
Iestic curve, thousands of infantry moved in
10 battle line, their bayonets cleaning like
'erpents scales. The roofs of Getty ysburg in
The valley below, the riffs of woodland along
the borders of rock creek the orchards far
Town on the left, the fields green and beauti-
Iui, 10 which the cattle were calmly grazing,
composed scene of such peace il appear
I'd was never made to be marred by the CLAN
,or of battle. | ST rolled out to the cemetery
ire the dew was yet melted from the grass,
md leaned against a monument to listen to
he singing of birds. One note, milder than
he rest, had just broken from the throat of
n oriole in the foliage above me when the sui
en- rattle of musketry on the left told that
had begun. Similar firing soon
'pened along the entire rebel line, and al
hough no notable demonstration was made
uring the forenoon, ii was apparent that the
nemy was feeling our strength preliminary
o some decisive effort.
The day wore on full of anxious suspense
was not until four O'Clock in the afternoon
hat the enemy gave voice in earnest. He
hen began heavy fire on Cemetery Hill.
I must not be thought that this wrathfui fire
'as unanswered. Our artillery began to play
ithin few moments and hurled back def
nee and like destruction upon the rebel lines
ntil six O'Clock the roar of canon, the rush
missiles and the bursting of bombs filed
II the air The clangor alone of this awful
ombat might well have confused and awed
'ss cool and wstchful commander than Gen.
eade. 1t did not confuse him. With the
aiculation of tactician and the eve of an
experienced judge he watched from his head
usrters the hill whatever movement nm.
er the murky cloud which enveloped the reb-
lines might first disclose the intention which
was evident this artillery firing covered
bout SIX O'Clock p. NJ, silence, deep, awful
impressive, but momentary, was permitted
If by magic to dwell upon the field. Only
e groans unheard before of the wounded and
wing, only the murmur-a morning memory
OF the breeze through the foliage, only the
W rattle of preparation for what was to come.
nbroidered this blank stiffness. Then. as
e smoke beyond the village was lightly
'rne to the eastward. the woods on the left
ere seen filled with dark masses of infantry.
rec columns deep, who advanced at a quick
ep. Magnificent Such charge by sucha
rce-iull 700 men, under Hill and Long.
reet-even though IL threatened to pierce
ID annihiate the Sd Corps, against which il
rs directed, drew forth cries of admiration
om all who beheld it. General SickIes and
S splendid command withstood the sb,ck
tn determination that checked, but could
{ iuiiy restrain it. Back, inch by inch.
hting, falling, dying, cheering, the men re
ed. Tne rebels came on more furiouslv
iting at intervals, pouring volleys that struck
T troops down in scores. General Sickles,
hting desperately, was struck in the leg and
L. The I'd Corps came to the aid of his
Soiun'u. ne odttie then grew lear
!. Standing firmly up against the storm our
'ops, though still outnumbered. gave back
OF for shot, volley for volley, almost death
death. Still the enemy was not restrain
!. Down he came upon our left with q mo-
,ntum that nothing could check. The ri.
d guns that lay before our infantry ons
oil were in danger OF capture. Gen. Han.
ck was wounded in the thigh, General Glib
q in the shoulder. The 9Th Corps, as the
and I'd wavered anew, went into the breach
tn such shouts and such vo.ieys as m ade the
'el column trembie at last. Up from tbs
ley behind, another battery cane rolling 20