Daily national Republican., 1863-11-13
GxN. MEAOk's OFFICIAL REPORT OF
THE BATTLE OF GETTYsBURG.

The Official report of General Meade of the
battle vf Gettysburg, dated October l, has Just
been given TO the public. The delay in making
up his report was occasioped by the illness OF
several corps and division commanders
wounded in the battle.
General Meade assumed command of the
Army of tire Potomac June 2Sth, and on that
day ordered General French to evacuate Har-
per's Ferry and occupy Frederick with 1000
men of his command, and to detail the re-
mainder, 1000 men, to remove and escort the
public property to Washington.
On the Goth the army wac put in motion, and
IN the lst Of July Major General Reynolds en-
gagged the enemy north Of Gettysburg and fell
mortally wounded early in the action. The
First corps, supported by the Eleventh corps,
successful in the carly part Of the engage.
incnt bu, the enemy after being reinforced
with ovC Ahclming numbers, drove our troops
through the town of Gettysburg, and they were
posted on the cemetery ridge south of the town.
Gems. Slocum and Sckles arrived with the
Twelfth corps and a part of the Third, and
took part on the right and left. Here General
Meade determined to give battle. Having ar
rived on the field at O'Clock a. m, on the I'd.
he says in his report:
So soon as il was light proceeded to inspect
the position occupied, and to make arrange
ments for posting the several corps as they
should reach the ground. By a. IN. the Sec
Und and Fifth corps, with the rest of the Third,
had reached the ground, aud were posted as
follows! The Eleventh corps retained its posi-
lion on the cemetery ridge, just opposite the
town; til" First corps was posted on the rgat
of the Eleventh, on an elevated knoll connect
ing with the ridge extending to the south and
east, on which the Twelfth corps was placed,
the right Of the Twelfth corps resting on a
email stream at point where it crossed the
Baltimore pike, and which formed on the right
nauk Of the Twelfth something of an obstacle.
The Cemetery ridge extended In westerly
and -outherly direction, gradually diminishing
IN elevation till II came to very prominent
',d@r raIIcd Round Top, running east and west
The second and third corps were directed to
OCCUPY he continuation OF the Cemetery ridge
Ou the left Of the Eleventh corps. The fifth
corps, lending the arrival Of the sixth, was
hGld IN reserve.
Willie these dispositions were being made
the enemy was massing his troops on the ex-
terror ridge, distant from the line occupied by
us from mile to mile and Il half
Az p. IN. the Sixth corps arrived, after u
lnarcn OF thrty.two miles, accomplished from
. IN. the day previous. On its arrival being
reported Immediately directed the Fifth corps
To move to our extreme left. and the Sixth to
occupy its place as reserve for the right.
About 3 p. III. rode out to the extreme left 10
await the arrival OF the Fifth corps and post il,
when found that Maj or Gen. sickles, com
maidng the Third corps, not fully aPprehend-
ing the instructions in regard to the position TO
he occupied, had advanced, or rather was in
the act Of advancing his corps some hdlf "a mite
Or hree-qudrterS Of mile in il ont Of The line ~
'h' Second corps, on the protongation Of nhieh Il
m.S Ge"iyntd his corps should rest. Having found
Major nvn. sckles l was explaining TO him
ihGt lie was too far in advance, and discussing
with hin The prOpriety OF Withdrawing, when
the enemy opened upon him with several bat
ltrics IN his front and on his nank, aud immc-
diatciy brought forward columns of infantry
ahd hiaue IhosI vigorous assault. The Third
t"IPn sue'aih"' III" shock most htrOicdlly.
Troops ifnm g. Second corps were immedi-
aleiy sent Wy HaJ9r Gsu. Hancock to cover the
TIsht uauk oi INC lhird corps, and soon after
the assault conn enced the Fifth CORDS most
fortunately arrived and took position on TIM,
left OF the Third, MAJOR General sykes, COM
nanding, immediately sending d force TO
occupy the Round Top ridge, when a mort fu
rlOus contest was maintained, the enemy
making desperate but unsuccessful efforts to
secure II.
Notwithstanding the stubborn Resistance Of
the Third corps under Major General Birncy,
(Majur General Sickles having been wounded
carly in the action,) the superiority of numbers
of the enemy enabling him to Outaank the
corps in its advanced position, General Birncy
was compelled 1" fall back and reform behind
the line originally designed to be held.
In the mean time, perceiving the great exer-
tious OF the enemy, the sixth corps, Major Cen
eral Sodgwlck, and part of tho first corps, 10
the command Of which | had assigned Major
General Newton particularly LOckwOod's Ma.
Naud brigade, together with detacLments from
lus second corps, were all brought up at dlier.