The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-11-20

Wnon the enemy opened upon MIN Win sew
eral batteries on his front and his flank, and
Immediately brought forward columns OF in
fantry, and made . vigorous assault. The Sd
corps sustained the shock most heroically.
Troops from the I'd corps were Immediately
sent by Major General Hancock to cover the
right flank of the Sd corps, and soon after the
assault commenced the 5th corps most fortu-
nstely arrived, and took position on the left of
the Sd.
Major Gen. Sykes command Immediately
sending force to occupy Round-Top Ridge,
when most furious contest was maintained,
the enemy making desperate but unsuccessful
efforts to secure it. Notwithstanding the stub
born resistance of the Sd corps, under Major
Gen. Birney, Major Gen. Sickles having been
wounded early in the action, the superiority in
number of corps in the enemy enabling him TO
Outfank its advance position, Gen. Birney was
cOunseled to fall back and reform behind the
line originally designed to be held. In the
mean time, perceiving great exertions on the
part of the enemy, the 9th corps major Gen.
Sedgwick) and part OF the LIST corps (to the
Newton) particularly Lockwoods Maryland
brigade, together with detachments from the
I'd corps, were all brought up at different Pc
RODS, and succeeded together with the gallant
resistance of the 9Th corps in checking. and
finally repulsing the assault Of the enemy, who
retired in confusion and disorder about sunset,
On the extreme left another assault was,
however, made about P. M. on the 18th corps
from the left of the town, which was repulsed
with the assistance of the troops from the I'd
and LIST corps. During the heavy assault upon
our extreme left, portions of the 18th corps
were sent as reinforcements. During their
absence the line on the extreme right was held
by a very much reduced force. This was taken
advantage of by the enemy, who, during the
absence of Geary's division of the 18th corps,
advanced and occupied part of the line.
On the morning of the Sd Gen. Geary, having
returned during the night was attacked at early
dawn by the enemy, but succeeded in driving
him back, and occupying his former position.
A spirited contest was maintained all the morn
ing along this part of the line. Gen. Geary,
reinforced by Wheatons brigade, 9th corps,
maintained his position, and inflicted very
severe losses on the enemy. With this excep-
ton the quiet Of the lines remained undisturbed
till P. N. on the Sd, when the enemy opened
from over 125 guns, playing upon our centre
and left This cannonade continued for over
two hours, when our guns failing to make any
reply the enemy ceased firing, and soon his
masses of infantry became visible, forming for
an assault on our left and left centre. The as
sault was made with great frmness, being
directed principally against the point occupied
by the second corps, and was repealed with
equal irmness by the troops of that corps,
supported by Doubleday's division and STAN
nard's brigade of the first corps.
During the assault, both Major Gen. Han
cock, commanding the left centre, and Briga-
dier Gen. GibbOn commanding the I'd corps,
were severely wounded.
This terminated the battle, the enemy retir-
ing to his lines, leaving the field strewed with
his dead and wounded, and numbers of prison
ers fell into our hands.
Buford's division of cavalry after its arduous
service at Gettysburg on the LIST, was, on the
I'd sent to Westminster to retit and guard our
trains. Kpatrick's division, that on the 2Sth,
3Oth and LIST had been successfully engaging
the enemys cavalry, was on the Sd sent to our
extreme left, on the Emmettsburg road, where
good service was rendered in assaulting the
enemy's line and occupying his attention. At
the same time Gen. Gregg was engaged with
the enemy on our extreme right, having passed
across the Baltimore pike and POnaughtOwn
roads, and boldly attacked the enemy's left and
rear.
On the morning Of the 4th, reconnaissance
developed that the enemy had drawn back his
left flank. but maintained his position in front
of our left, apparently assuming new line
parallel to the mountain.
On the morning of the 5th, it was ascertain
ed that the enemy was in full retreat by the
Fairfield and Cashtown roads. The 9th corps
was Immediately sent in pursuit on the Fair
field road, and cavalry on the CashtOwn road,
and by the Emmettsburg and Monterey Passes.
The 9Th and 9th of July were employed in
succoring the wounded and burying the dead.
Major General Sedgwick, commanding the 9th
corps. having pushed the pursuit of the enemy
as far as the Fairfield Pass and the mountains,
| and reporting that the Pass was very strong
| one in which small force of the enemy could
| hold in check and delay for a considerable time
any pursuing fOrce-I determined to follow the
| enemy by flank movement and accordingly,
| leaving McIntosh's brigade of cavalry and
Npi1fS hriuoAo of ipfaOtrV cOntiDun harr0 eSnp
the enemy, l put the army in motion for Mid
dletOwn and orders were Immediately sent to
Major General French at Frederick, to re Occu-
| by Harper's Ferry, and send force to occupy
| Turner's Pass, in South Mountain. l subse-
quently ascertained that Major General French
part, but had pushed cavalry force to Viii
Transport and Falling Waters, where they dis.
| covered the enemys pOntOOn bridge and cap
tured its guard Buford was at the same time
sent to Willamsport and Hagerstown. The
duty above assigned to the cavalry was most
successfully accomplished, the enemy being
| greatly harassed, his trains destroyed, and
many captures of guns and prisoners made.
After hating day at Middleton to procure
necessary supplies and bring up trains, the
| army moved through South Mountain, and by
the 18th of July. was in front of the enemy,
who occupied a strong position on the heights
near the marsh which runs In advance Of
WlllamSPOrt. In taxing ILLS pOSltlOn SeVcTal
skirmishes and affairs had been had with the
enemy, principally by the cavalry and the 18th
and 9th corps The 18th was occupied in re-
cOnnoisances of the enemy's position and pre-.
| parations for an attack but on advancing on
the morning of the 14th, 1t was ascertained that
he had retired the night previous BY the bridge
| at Falling Waters and ford at Williamsport.
The cavalry in pursuit overlook the rear guard
at Falling Waters, capturing two guns and
numerous prisoners. Previous to the retreat
of the enemy, Greggs division of cavalry was
crossed at Harpers Ferry, and coming up with
the rear of the enemy at CharlestOwn and
Shepardstown, had spirited contest, in which
the enemy were driven to Martinsburg and
Winchester, and pursued and harrassed in hia
retreat.
The pursuit was resumed by a flank move
ment of the army crossing the Potomac at Der.
lin and moving down the Loudon Valley. The
cavalry were Immediately pushed into several
passes of the Blue Ridge, and having learned
from servants of the withdrawal of the Confed.
crate army from the lower valley of the She
nandoah, the army (the Sd corps, Major Gen.
French, being in advance,) was moved into
Manassas Gap in the hope OF being able to in.
tercept portion Of the enemy in possession Of
the Gap, was disputed so successfully as to en-
able the rear guard to withdraw by the way o.
Strasburgh. The Confederate army retiring tC
the Rapidan, position was taken with the ar
my on the line of the Rappahannock, and the
campaign terminated about the close OF July.
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