The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-10-13

driven, it was thought that our army could be
used to advantage in assailing the more elevated
ground beyond, and thus enable us to reach the
crest of the rigde. That officer was directed to
endeavor to carry this position, while General
Ewell attacked directly the high ground on the
enemy's right, which had already been partially
fortified. Gen Hi was instructed to threaten the
centre Of the Federal line, in order to prevent re-
inforcements being sent to either wing, and to
avail himself OF any opportunity that might pre-
sent itself to attack
After severe struggle, Longstreet succeeded
In getting possession Of and holding the desired
ground. EweH also carried some Of the strong
positions which he assailed, and the result was
such as to lead to the belief that be would ulti-
mateiy be able to dislodge the enemy. The battle
ceased at dark.
! These partial successes determined me to con-
tinue the assault next day. Pickett with three of
his brigades joined Longstreet the following morn
ing, and our batteries were moved forward TO the
position gained by him the day before.
The general plan of attack was unchanged. ex
cept that one division and two brigades Of Hills
corps were odered to support Longstreet.
The enemy in the meantime had strengthened
his line with earthworks The morning was occu-
pied In necessary preparations, aud the battle
commeced in the afternoon of the 3d. and ragged
with great violence until sunset. Our troops sue.
ceeded in entering the advanced works Of the
enemy, and getting possession of some of bis bat
teries; but artillery having nearly expended its
ammunition the attacking columns became ex-
posed to the heavy fire of the numerous batteries
near the summit of the ridge, and, after most
determined and gallant struggle, we're compelled
to renqulsh their advantage and fall back to their
original positions, with severe loss
The conduct of the troops was all that could
desire or expect, and they deserved success far
as it can be deserved by heroic vaor aud forttude
More may have been required of them than they
were able to perform, but my admiration of their
noble qualities, and confidence in their ability to
cope successfully with the enemy, has suffered no
abatement from the issue of this protracted and
sangunary conflict.
Owing to the strength of the euemy's position
and the reduction of our ammunition, a renewal of
the engagement could not be hazarded and the
df6ulty of procuring supplies rendered it impossi-
bic to continue longer where We were. Such of
the wounded as were in condition to be removed,
and part of the arms collected on the field, were
ordered to Williamsport. The army remaiEed at
Gettysburg during the 4th, and at night began to
retire by the road to Fairfield, carrying with it
about four thousand prisoners Nearly 1000
had previously been paroled, but the enemy's
numerous wounded that had fallen into our hands
after the first and second days engagements, we're
left behind.
Little progress made that night, owing to q
severe storm, which greatly embarrassed our move
ments The rear of the column did not leave its
position near Gettysburg until after daylight on
the 5th
The march was continued during that day with
out interruption by the enemy, except unim-
portant demonstration upon in the after
noon, when near Fairfield, which was easily
checked. Part Of our train moved by the road
through Fairfield and the rest by the way of Cash
towp, guarded by Gen. Imboden. In passing
through the mountains in advance of the column,
the great length of the trains exposed them to
attack by the enemy's cavalry, which captured a
number of wagons and ambulances; but they sue
ceeded in reaching Williamsport without serious
loss.
They were attacked at that place on the 9th by
the enemy's cavalry, which was gallantly repulsed
by General Imboden. The attacking force was
subsequently encountered and driven off by Gen.
Stuart, and pursued fo- several miles in the direc
tion of Boonsboro. The army after an arduous
march, rendered more difficult by the rains,
reached Hagerstown on the afternoon Of the 9th
and morning Of the 7th July.
The Potomac was found to be so much swollen
by the rains that had fallen almost necessarily
since entrance into Maryland, as to be unforda-
Bile. Our communications with the South side
were thus interrupted, and it was difieult TO pro-
cure either ammunition or subsistence, the latter
difficulty being enhanced by the high waters i'm
pedng the working of the neighboring mills
The trains with the wounded and prisoners were
compelled to await at Williamsport the subsiding
of the river and he construction of boats as the
pontoon bridge left at Falling Waters had been
partially destroyed. The eEemy bad not ye; made
his appearance but as he in condition TO OBJ
tain large reinforoemeDts aud stuation for the
reasons above mentioned, was becoming daily more
embarrassing. it was deemed advisable 10 recross
the river. Palt of the pontoon bridge was re-
covered, and new boats built, that by the 18th
good bridge was thrown tic river at Falling
Waters.
The enemy in force reached our front on the
18th A position had been previously selected to
cover the Potomac from Williansport to Falling
Waters and attack was. awaited during that
and the succeeding day. This Gid not take place,
though the two armies were in close proximity, the
enemy being occupied in terrifying his own lines.
Our preparations beihg completed, and the river,
though still deep, being pronounced fordable, the
army commenced to withdraw to the South side
on the night of the 18th.
EwelPs corps forded the river at Williamsport,
those of Longstreet and Hill crossed upon the
bridge Owing to the condition of the roads the
troops did not reach the bridge until after daylight
on the 14th, and the crossing not completed
until p NJ when the bridge was removed The
enemy offered no serious interruption, and the
movement was attended with no loss of material
except a few disabled wagons, and two pieces of
.x.;Jiorx which the borsaS wara unahJa c,o,o