The daily Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1862-1863, 1863-07-09
Another Account.
Especial Dispatch to the n. Y. Times

NEAR GETTYSBURG, Pa, |
Via BALTIMORE, Friday, July g.
Ny brief dispatches regarding the
desperate engagement of yesterday have
hardly conveyed true idea of its mag
nitude and character. We have now
had two days fighting. Nearly the whole
of Wednesday was thus employed by the
First and Eleventh Corps, with varying
success, they finally being obliged to fail
back before greatly superior numbers.
This morning there were strong pre-
monitions of an early engagement with
the euemy in force, but as the day wore
away and no positive exhibition was
made by the enemy, we began to think
that perhaps there would be no immedi-
ate battle after ALL We were hardly in
condition to give battle, as all our dispo-
sitions had not been made, Gen. Meade
not having arrived on the ground until
two o'clock in the morning. The posi-
ton of our forces after the fight of We'd
nesday was to the eastward and south
ward of Gettysburg, covering the Balti-
more Pike, the Taneytown and Emmitts-
burg roads, and still being nearly paral-
lei with the latter The formation of the
ground on the right and center was ex-
cellent for defensive purposes. On our
extreme left the fround sloped off until
the position was no higher than the enc
my's. The ground in front of our line
was level, open country, inters persed
here and there with an orchard or a
very small tract of timber, generally oak,
with the underbrush cut away. During
the day portion of the troops threw up
temporary breastworks and an abattis.
Gen. Meade's headquarters were at an
old house on the Taneytown road, imme-
diately in rear of the center.
Our line was not regular in shape. In
deed, the center protruded out toward
the enemy, so as to form almost the two
sides of triangle. Before shutdown
Gen. Meades headquarters proved to be
the hottest place on the battlefield, so
far as a ceaseless Smelling was con-
cerned.
General Howard occupied, with his
corps, beautiful cemetery on hill to
the south of Gettysburg. Cannons thun-
dered, horses pranced, and men care
lessly trampled over the remains of the
dead From this hill beautiful view
could be obtained of the valley, and also
Our forces had ali been cen concentrated
on Tuesday night, save the Fifth and
Sixth corps. The former arrived during
the morning, and the latter soon after
noon. They were all Immediately be-
hind our center.
Whether or not it was Gen. Meade's
intention to attack, l cannot say, but he
was hardly ready for it before the after
Of Ha A. 10
almost dull. Skirmishing was now and
then brisk, and the sharpshooters in the
steeples and belfrys of the churches per-
sistently blazed at officers and artillery
horses. 1t was by a sharpshooter in a
barn Just opposite Wadsworth's division
yesterday, that Captain Stevens, of the
fifth Maine Battery, got hit A bullet
passed through both legs below the knee,
lnhlctlng a severe but not dangerous
wound.
At 81 o'clock Gen. Meade had received
sufficient assurances to justify him in
the beliefthat the rebels were coneentra-
ting their forces on our left flank, which
all felt to be secure under the protection
of the invincible Third Corps. Our line
was Immediately strengthened on that
flank, General Sickles' corps being sent
to its support and several batteries from
the reserve being brought out and placed
IN position.
At Al o'clock P. NJ, the enemy sent
his.hrst compliments by fire of artil
lery, his first shells falling uncomforta.
bly, near to Gen. Meades headquarters
From this hour forth to 81 o'clock, oc
Cured by all odds the most sanguinary
engagements yet cbronicled in the an
mails of war, considering its short dura
ton. The artillery attack which was
made by the enemy on the left and center
was rapidly followed by the advance'of hi:
infantry. The Third corps received the
attack with great GOODNESS The rebels
at once made for our flank, and KEPT
moving heavy columns in that direction
This necessitated support, which wa:
quickly given by the Fifth corps. The
division of Gen. Barnes being sent to the
right, and that of Gen. Ayres, regulars
to the left, with Gen. Crawford in re
serve.
The battle now became perfectly fear
full. The armies engaged each other a
very short range, and for three long
hours the war of musketry was incessant
l have heard more noise, louder crashes
in other battles, but never saw or heard
of such desperate tenacious fighting al
took place on this flank The enemy
would often bring up suddenly heavy
column of men, and force our line back
only TO be in turn forced back by oul
own line of glittering steel. Our gallant
columns covered themselves with glory
over and over again. They fought SUI
perior force in numbers. The DISPOSE
tions of the enemy were very rapid, fol-
look where you would on that field q
body of rebels would be advancing. Oul
dispositions were equally rapid, and the
enemy found more than their equal in
such gallant veterans as Sickles and Biz
ney and Humphreys. At half past
Gen. Sickles was struck in the right Les
by piece of shell, and borne from the
field. The injury was so great that am
putation became necessary, and it wa,
performed successful y-the limb being
taken off below the knee
The struggle grew hotter and hotter
The second corps was called on for aid
and though its own position was strongl,
threatened, yet the first division, former
ly Gen. Hancocks, flung themselves init
- 4.