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

/ Inc enemy advanced as far as Upperville and
then fell back. In these engagements General
Stuart took about four hundred prisoners, and a
considerable number of horses and arms.
ln the meantime part of General Ewells corps
bad entered Maryland, and the rest was about to
follow. General Jenkins with his cavalry, who
accompanied General Ewell, penetrated Pennsyl-
/ vania as far as Chambersburg. AS these demon
,strations did not have the effect of causing the
Federal army to leave Virginia, and as it did not
seem disposed to advance upon the position held
/ by Longstreet, the latter withdrawn to the
west side of the Shenandoah, General Hill having
already reached the Valley
General Stuart was left to guard the passes of
the mountains, and observe the movements of the
enemy, whom he was instructed to harass and i'm
pede as much possible should he attempt to
cross the Potomac. In that event, General Stuart
was directed to move into Maryland, crossing the
Potomac east west of the Blue Ridge, as in his
judgement should be best, and take position on
the right of our column as it advanced.
BY the 24th, the progress of Ewell rendered it
necessary that the rest of the army should be in
supporting distance, and Longstreet and Hill
marched to the Potomac. The former crossed at
Williamsport, and the latter at Shepherdstown.
The columns reunited at Hagerstown, and advanc
ed thence into Pennsylvania, encamping near
Chambersburg on the 9Th.
No report had been received, that the Federal ar
|
the cavalry rendered it impossible to obtain accu-
rate information. In order, however, to retain it
on the east side of the mountains after it should
enter Maryland, and thus leave open our cOmmu-
nication with the Potomac through Hagerstown
and Williamsport, General Ewell had been instruc-
ted to send division eastwards from Chambers
burg to cross the South Mountains. Earlys divis-
ion was detached for this purpose, and proceeded
as far east as York, while the remainder of the
corps proceeded to Carlisle
General Imboden, in pursuance of the instruc-
tions previously referred to, had been actively
gagged On the left of Gen. Ewell during the pro-
gress Of the latter into Maryland. He had driven
off the forces guarding the Baltimore aud Ohio
Railroad, destroying all the important bridges
that route from Cumberland to Martinsburg, and
seriously damaged the Chesapeake aud Ohio
Canal.
He subsequently took position at Hancock; and
after the arrival of Longstreet and Hill at Cham
bersburg, was directed to march by way McCon-
nellsburg to that place.
Preparations were made to advance upon
Harrisburg but on the night of the 29th informa-
tion was received from a scout that the Federal
army, having crossed the Potomac, was advancing
nurthwards, and that the head of the column had
reached the South Mountain. AS our communi-
cations with the Potomac were thus menaced, it
was resolved to prevent bis further progress in
that direction by concentrating our army on the
east side of the mountains. Accordingly, Long
street and Hill were directed to proceed from
Chan,bersburg to Gettysburg, to which point Gen.
Ewell was also instructed to march from Carlisle.
Cen Stuart continued to follow the movements
Of the Federal Army south of tfe Potomac after
our own had entered Maryland, and in his efforts
to impede its progress, advanced as far eastward
Fairfax Court House. Finding himself unable to
delay the enemy materially he crossed the river at
nd hah oh tO Tar
isle, where he arrived after Gen. Ewell had left
for Gettysburg. By the route he pursued the
Federal army was interposed between his command
and our main body, preventing any communication
with him until his arrival at Carlisle.
The march towards Gettysburg was conducted
more slowly than it would have been had the
movements of the Federal army been known.
The leading division of ill met the enemy in
advance Of Gettysburg, on the morning of the lst
of July Driving back these troops to within
short distance of the town, he there encountered
larger force, with which two of his divisions be-
came engaged. Ewell, coming up with two of his
divisions by the Heidlersburg road, joined in the
engagement The enemy were driven through
Gettysburg with heavy loss, including about five
thousand prisoners and several pieces Of artillery
He retired to high range of hills south and
east of the town. The attack was not pressed that
afternoon, the enemy's force cing unknown, and
of the rest of our troops.
Orders were sent to hasten their march, and, in
the meantime, every effort made to ascertain
the numbers and position of the enemy, and find
the most favorable point of attack. 1t had not
been intended to fight general battle at such
distance from base, unless attacked By the
enemy; but finding ourselves Unexpectedly con-
fronted by the Federal army, it became matter
of difficulty to withdraw through the mountains
with our large trains At the same time, the
country was uufavora5lc for collecting supplies
while in the presence of the encmys main body,
as he was enabled to restrain our foraging parties
by occupying the passes of the mountains with
regular and local troops. A battle thus became,
in measure, unavoidable. Encouraged by the
successful issue of the engagement of the first day,
and in view of the valuable results that would en-
ensue from the defeat OF the army of Gen. Meade,
it was thought advisable to renew the attack.
The remainder of Ewell'S and Hills corps bav-
ing arrived and two Divisions of Loncstreet's, our
preparations were made accordingly. During the
afternoon, intelligence was received of the arrival
of Gen Stuart at Carlisle, and he was ordered to-
march to Gettysburg, and take position on the left
full account of these engagements cannot be
given until the reports of the several commanding
officers shall have been received, and / shall only
offer general description.
The preparations for attack were not completed
until the afternoon OF the I'd.
The enemy held high and commanding ridge
along which he had inassed a large amount of