Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-07-18
OPERATIONS IN PENNSYLVANIA AND Macy
LAND.
WILLIAMSON, No ,
July 7th.

LAND.
WiLLIAMsPoRr M,
July 7th.
10 tie Editor Of The Wig:
You no doubt have received, before this more &C.
curae and detailed account of the army movements in
Pennsylvania and Maryland than can give. The VhOls
truth is discovered by combining the facts of each wit
ness What l saw and heard give; others should do
likewise.
Here is general outline Lee passed into Maryland
at different points, principally here by pontoons Ad
vanced towards Harrisburg through Greencasile and
Chambersburg. jenkins attacked Carlisle; Lee was
still at Chambersburg. The march toward HARRISBURG
and jenkins attack fent on the Capital OIL fenh'
sylvana.
right angles, crosses from Cbambersburg the Blue
Ridge to GetLysburg. Then commences the fighting
lasting while was present. three days. what mas &C.
Cured since don't know, though there are some ru
mors While Lee was marching into Maryland ana
Pennsylvania, Stuart crossed the Potomac just ABOUT
Washington captured two hundred wagons and sixteen
hundred horses, and joined Lee at Gettysburg.
Gettysburg is about the size of Stanton, Virginia SIX
thousand inhabitants 10 valley ten miles from the Blue
Ridge, east side
The first days fight occurred between the mountain
and the town, one mile from Gettysburg The enemy
held ridge of hills parallel with the Blue Ridge; they
were driven past the with heavy oss As passed
over tn battle field three days after the fight there
remained tw thousand uuburici Yankees though regi
ment of prisoners gagged in putting their com
rades under ground They driven the second day
Neither party as yet had their whole strength. The
Yankees had fortified range Of hills beyond the town
mile and a half-a strong poslton--the ranges rising
one above the oher-precipltous and high 10 storm
this il necessary TO pass over valley OF meadows
and wheat fields one o. two miles, almost bare OF WOODS
The battle enced at 10 o'clock, July 3D. 1t con-
tinued unit night. The enemy's wingj were driven
ok and doubled TO- but the centre was very STUB
born.
rne ridge crownel with over hundred guns, in half
mi, space, and defended by three army corps, was
charged and held for twenty mIu.es. terrible fire
from stone fence the plateau and cross firing from
the adjacent hll- drove back force Here fell many
officers Several thousand prisoners in our posses
sion.
Gen. Stuart passed around the enemy's right and de-
ie4ted his cavalry; also Gen. w. H. Jones repuked
cavalry force on our right
July 4'h-Gen. Lee occupies his original position in
the centre his wings are advanced. He is swinging
his army around to the right to get between the enemy
and Washington city. He stars his surplus wagons
and wounded back to the Potomac.
To engineer trail five miles long in Six miles Of the
enemy was assigned TO Gen. Imboden.
Two thousand wounded and as many straggers, with
ammunition and thouanos of horsos moved the
Blue Ridge towards Lhambersburg. at o'clock Only
hundred men TO guard this immense and Vaua-
ole train IL was delicate apQ ulHculL Outy Ou IL
pushed by byroads and through storm and darkness
he groans of wounded rising aoove the of the
wheels dreadful night! de was attacked by the
enemy about O'clock on the oh! The Yankees we're
rspulSed The train safely arrived here on the same
day.
rhe enemy had burned the pontoons, and the Poto-
mac vas past fording and rising.
Here stood three thousand wagons and fifteen thou
sand horses-this loss could be repaired. The
enemy advancing in heavy force Gen. lmboden
mad some twelve hundred of his Two regiments
came from Winchester just in time.
lie rode over the ground-panted his artlery-put
every stragger in the ranks-concealed behind bluff
his wagons and horses, and Waited the enemy's ap-
proach.
A perilous stuation-an impossible river in the
"a heavy force in frontbu handful TO oppose them.
eversl wounded generals would have fslIen into the
enemy's hands if they succeeded. Gen. jenkins, who
wounded several days previous in the head
hill near the wagons looked the acres on acres
covered with them remarked 81" was an hour Of great
importance; if defeated the army of Northern Virginia
is ruined"
At four the enemy came rapidly up-cAvalry and
mounted infantry under Gems Fitzpatrick and Buford-
a whole DIVISION with eighteen pieces of cannon-one
brigade of regular cavalry Against this force was pit
ted about one filth the number half straggers
Imboden seemed to be impres-ing all with his own
purpose-to die rather than surrender Even the
yagoneTs caught the enthusiasm, and marched to the
field the wounded mped to the front; game fellow
expended all his union, and excused himself for
retiring. he couldn't charge on one leg another was
wounded again.
Their cavalry made several efforts to charge but
couldn't stand the terrible Smelling. The infantry
dsmounted The fight stubborn, lasting till dark.
The enemy never advanced from their line of battle but
we're beat back two miles, aud rereated in the dark and
in disorder.
Everything considered the battle of Williamsport is
ore of the most brilliant well important, that has
occurred during the war; and justfes the confidence
placed in Gen. Imboden by Gen. Lee in assigning him
such an important post.
July 6th--Gen. Fnzhugh Lee is now in command,
having arrived last night. The river is falling.
]. J. L.