The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-08-07
VOL. XV.-NO. 9.
More About the Rebel Defeat at
Gettysburg. m %

We continue our extracts from the
Richmond papers Of July 81:
MORE ABOUT THE BATTLE AT GETTYSBURG.
A correspondent of the Richmond Sen
tinel writes from the camp of Alexander's
battery of light artillery, near Hagers-
town, Maryland, under date of July 10:
There is no doubt. about the fact that
our repulse here has, at least for time,
changed the whole plan of this campaign.
Almost every one feels that we attempted
almost impossibilities. l think we we've
too confident. / intimated this in my
letter to you from Chambersbcrg. Every
man felt we could whip Hooker wherever
we might meet him. We had forgotten
the power of the spade, and the immense
advantage which position may give. We
had lost sight Of the striking history Of
the siege of Vicksburg, even while in
progress; there 10000 men were success
fully resisting and Strengthening a besieg-
ing army of $4,000 men, though surround
ed and cut off from all succor.
am in Longstreet's corps, who COM
manded the centre on the right of Gettys-
burg. Gen. Hood was on our right Just
to our right and front was very rocky
spur, on which the enemy had a battery,
supported, of course, by infantry. Gen.
Hood sent word on Thursday afternoon to
Gen. Lee, that he had met with an unex-
pected obstacle in this mountain, and that
he could not advance. Both on Wednes-
day and Thursday We had driven the enc
my without difficulty, but when we had
fallen back to this spur or mountain and
the connecting range of hills, our advance
was checked. Thursday was a glorious
day in our front. The men were in splen-
did spirits. 1t would have done your
heart good Gor it filled my eyes with
tears) to see Gen. Woffords brigade
charge the enemy, who was strongly post
ed in large peach orchard about 500
yards from the grove in which our battery
was placed. Between these two points
was gentle valley, covered with clover
and corn, affording no protection. The
enemy's artillery in this orchard had dam
aged US terribly. One battery in this bat
talion( Rhetts S. c., Lieut.. Ficlin COM
manding) had lost thirty men in less than
an hour. But other batteries came rapid
ly in line, and the enemys fire slackened
little Woffords men were lying just be-
hind us, under cover of hill The order
was given to advance. We ceased firing a
moment, and the noble brigade filed be-
tween our guns amid a thousand cheers
from full and admiring hearts of our ar
tillery. They leaped the low stone fence,
and soon the noble line of two full regir
ments was formed, and began to descend
the slope toward the orchard. The gallant
General rode to the front, with his hat
high above his head, first cheering on the
regiment on the left, and then galloped
along the line to that upon the right The
no resistance. Soon the brigade and its
noble commander entered the orchard,
and the artillery which had been playing
over their heads ceased, and this strong
position was won. Long may General
Wofford live to lead his men to victory
The failure of General Pickett to take
the position on our left was due to the
strength of the enemy Notifications and
want of support. He was posted behind
strong stone wall, and had parallels be-
yond this-so that when one line was
taken, another and another remained.
These places are, not improperly called by,
the men slaughter pens.'' ols eefIe sdI
The artillery fight of Friday (third) was
the greatest of the war-sOme say the
greatest ''field artillery fight of the age.
| 1t began at four and half O clock. Our
battery happened to fire the first gun at
some skirmishers who were endeavorine
to get into ravine in our front. Before
eight O'Clock we had bloNA up four of the
enemy s 'caissons, and we mlst have dam
aged him, (and learn he confesses it)
terribly during the afternoon. Between
one and fye1 O'Clock I am satisfied we
| fred 25, 900 shot and shell. This was lust
before Pickett assaulted the enemy 81
works, Had they been carried, we would
have been in Baltimore ere this. ~.
Not gun was fired on Saturday. IT
reminded us all of the day Thursday that
followed the battle of Sharpsburg; As it
began to be minated that we would TALL
back, every face grew sad but when it
was ascertained. that our ammunition
(heayy ordnance) was nearly exhausted,
all acquiesced. / have, to see the first
man who wishes to return to Virginia. ID
have talked with timid men, but all agree
that we can whip the Yankees any day on
fair field. This is all we want: we
care little about numbers. We don't ex-
pect to remove mountains out we hope,
by Gods blessing, to do what the army Of
Northera Virginia has so often done be-
fore. % rs,
There is great discomfort among the Of.
fcers and men in regard to Order No. "a.
The stores are all closed. Men who pro-
fese to be our friends in this State shut
their doors in our faces and denounce our