Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-07-09


worth while to hold after the other was taken On also
another line in support behind this aud our cavalry
on the extreme left began to retire.
THE FIELD AFTER THE BATTLE.
At this moment the field presented true picture.
Across the fields to the right the rebel line, with
coors which huered in the pleasant breeze in the cen
tire two rmhouses outhouses, and barns in flames
and ON the left the column Of cavalry in retreat while
beyond all the rays of the beat down through the
showery clouds and gded every object with peculiarly
golden light, and the heavens to the eastward
stretched magnificent rainbow.
The new position of the Third Corps was at line Of
wall southwest of the town, along the slope oil MIL
on which is cemetery When the First Corps retired to
the town the left of the Eleventh was uncovered and
heavy advance completely it's right flank at the same
time compelled to retire 1t affords me pleasure to say
that this corps reported to have fought well and lost
many men. AS was extreme left did not see
the fight of the Eleventh Corps
After retirement the town the rebel advance was
not pressed further. And ended battle that was
brought the most rash manner, yet which was well
fought against largely superior force and gotten out OF
at last much better than could have expected.
The rebel force fought by the corps of Gen
Ewe and that of A. P. Hill. South of the town is
high hill, which is cemetery, and this became the
headquarters Its slope to the west held by the First
Corps and continuation of hills from it toward the east
held by the Eleventh, while the Twelfth Corps was
placed hold both hanks the first division, under
Gen. Williams being the right, and the second
division, under Gen. Geary, the extreme left The
Third Corps which came the field just at nighta
in the centre ready be used whenever occasion
might require. Gen. Socum of the Twelfth Corps, had
| assumed the command upon his arrival
SOME OF OUR LOSSES.
Nfa;or PaynoIds man ,ban ha
fatally wounded and urging them TO the support of
Gen. Buford. He cried out in his enthusiasm, " For
Gods sake forward, my brave boys-forward !" And
forward they wentthat iron brigade of old Col Mere
dith which has failed since the began Just
then Gen. Reynolds received his fatal wound and falling
over upon Capt Wilcox his aid, who riding beside
him. he exclaimed, Good God, Wilcox am killed ~
Capt Wilcox had his horse shot under him at about the
same time, and severely bruised by the fall.
Brig Gen. Meredith badly bruised by the fall of his
horse, which killed. His son, Lieut. Meredith, was
wounded in the leg by she'll Lieut.. Woodward ad-de-
camp to Gen. Meredith wounded by musket ball in
the right arm. Gen. Merediths brigade went into the
fight $50 strong aud out with only 61S. Among
the killed wounded, and missing sixty,ssven officers
The light brgades of Tennessee and Mississippi under
Gen Archer, captured by Gen Meredths brigade.
The Twentyeishh Mississippi Col Root, surrender,
ed to Col Dawes, Of the Sixth Wisconsin.
The second division of the First Corps commanded by
Gen Robinson suffered badly. The first brigade COM
manded by Brig. Gen. Paul, who killed, when Col
Leonard, of the Thirteenth Massachusetts, assumed
msnd, but shortly wounded and the command de-
volved upon Col Robert Of the Ninety fourth New York
Gen. Baxter Of the second brigade lost nearly all his staff
10 killed, wounded and prisoners Gen Robinson com
msndng this division lost most Of his staff He took
$500 officers and into the fight and report only
a,,h bunJr laH Ibay. o,f,r
Evans from ten to fifteen prisoners and three flags
Lieut.. Thomas, of Gen. Bakers staff, killed.
THE NEW POSITION AT GETTYSBURG
Gen. Reynolds, it seems more and more clear fought
rah Wednesday, and very probably against the wishes
of the commander of the army yet his battle which lost
many men, gave full information Of the whereabouts
of the enemys main body, and committed the enemy to
the position north of Gettysburg, perhaps led him to
believe that had greater force in his front than
then had and made him fear to make any such con-
siderable movement would be necessary to take up
position in presence of this army At Gettysburg all
the good roads in this part of the country converge All
the other roads, except those that meet here
byways for the of the neghborhood and soon
up and thus rendered unfit for the movement of an
army Norhward from Gettysburg roads to Harris
burg and southwark from it three good roads the
principal and best of which is the Baltimore turnpike
For any towards its border therefore, the
possession Of these roads which to the south
to the Southern army and these roads in
possession the position Of the Southern army became crti
call for should Lee attempt to retire by any other roads
than these should have shorter line to any point on
his route and could consequently hit him wherever we
might choose while, if he should fight without these
roads and win, he would win but little more than way
to get out and if decsivey beaten his defeat would be
very disastrous.
PREPARATIONS GEN. MEADE
Gen. Meade (who arrived in the night of Wednesday,
began from the first to his forces in such manner
would enable him to hold these roads the best advan
tage. South of the town the country generally billy
but there three hills that deserve especial MENTION
they form the points which our line s
HILL the southern edge of the town nameess hill half
mile to the east of Cemetery Hi and Sugar Loaf Hill
directly south OF Cemetery Hill and about two miles distant
from it, Between Cemetery Hill and Sugar Loaf Hill the
country open and level and in that position
faced directly west from Cemetery Hill TO the nameless
faced to the NORTH and between the latter and
Sugar Loaf Hill you looked to the southeast
Our position was therefore somewhat irregular
triangle and it's peculiarly that practically had no
TANKS for in Of necessity the line could have swept
around so that the extreme right and left would meet on
the turnpike Our line from Cemetery Hill to the right
rocky ridge, very thcky wooded and here during
the early part of the day. deences constructed
under the direction Of Gems Williams and Geary Of the
Twelfth Corps which was posted at this place. Though
many of those who helped TO construct these deences
II ~