The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-07-21
The Battles near Gettysburg.
INTERESTING DETAILS.

We extract from the correspondence OF tie
Richmond papers the following accounts of the
battles near Gettysburg, Pa commencing July 1st.
These sketcheSe embrace as correct history We
have been able to gather
WINCHESTER, July Sth.
The army Of Northern Virginia, in its Of
Invasion, crossed the Potomac by wading at or
near Williamsport, from thence they marched to
Hagerstown, to Greencastle, and thence TO Cham
befsburg Ewell, who held the advance, went as
far as Carlisle, some twelve miles fran Harrisburg
Meantime, Hooker having Withdrawn his forces
from Stafford moved them to and across the Poto-
mac, and took up u ling extending from Washing
ton to Baltimore, expecting Lee to offer him battle
in Maryland Finding himself. disappointed in
this and having been compelled by pride or his
supcriors, he rclinquished his command to Meade,
who, finding out that Lee had DETECTED IN his
march through Pennsylvania, and was moving
down the Baltimore turnpike from Chambersburg,
moved from Baltimore ON the same way to meet
him. The two armies, which had ceased to con-
front each other since the breaking up of the
fredericksburg lines found themselves face to
lace, near Gettysburg on "Wednesday, July lst.
Early in the day skirmishers were thrown forward
by Cen A. =. Hill, who had the advance on the
pike leading from Chambcrsburg.
About p. d., battle began in earnest be-
tween Mcade's and Reynolds corps of the North
crn Potomac army, and large body, it is said, Of
Pennsylvania and New York militia, under Gen.
Meade, and A. Z. HIPS corps, who held bis line
Immediately in front Of town. Soon after A. p
Hill became engaged, Ewcl with Early and
Rodes divisions moved down from Carlisle, and
took up position to the left of Hills corps,
and somewhat to the Southwest Of Harrisburg.
The battle ragged furiously for about two hours,
when the Yankee line gave back some four miles,
passing through and below G Gettysburg, We occupy
ing the town and capturing their wounded, some
thirty-five hundred in number, and also large
number of armed prisoners-these latter being
captured | learn by Ewell Thus the fight clos
ed on Wednesday, with a signal advantage to us
1t had been open field fight, ard charging over
slight activities, in which our troops, by intrepid
vulor, had successfully driven the enemy before
them.
On Wednesday night the enemy were heavily
reinforced, and took up strongly fortified position
on a series of very elevated hills in the rear of
Gettysburg. From these hills an effort was made
by us, but unsuccessfully, to dislodYe them
Thursday, the I'd The fight was begun and
mainly contested on the right by Hoods and Nc
Laws divisions, Of Longstrect's corps-Geu'l j.
with his forces, having reached the field after the
close Of the fight Oh "Wednesday. Ewcll was also
engaged during thi5 day the extreme left with
the enemy, who attempted to turH his extreme
from above, between Gettysburg and Carlisle; but
in this they were successfully rcpulsed. The
centre, under Gen. Hill, Oh this day held its
ground firmly. Gen. Longstrcct on the right
succeeded on this day in driving them in on the
right to distance Of fully mile. The results of
this days fighting cannot be said to have been, by
any means, decided success to us. That they
lost heavily cannot be gainsad but their position,
naturally very strong one, held by not less
than four lines of infantry, and every spot avail
able for artillery bristed with the enemys cannon.
Our men actually got the Notifications once or
twice but SO thGaed their ranks by the losses
they had sustained that they were compelled to
give back. The field was literally strewn with
the dead and dying Yankees; and no slight sprink-
ling Of our brave defenders mingled with them.
The fight for the possession of the heights was
renewed again oil Friday. Meantime Gen. Pick
etfs division of Gen. Longstreet's corps had rein
forced our right, and Was principally engaged, |
with most disastrous loss of officers and men in
this day work-Gcn. =. himself being reported
wounded, and three Brigaders-ArmiStead, Gar
nett and Kemper-being killed.
The results of the three days fights may be
summed up in immense losses on both sides; but
IN the last two days encounters we were unable |
to carry the heights beyond and below Gettys- |
burg. The consequence was, that on Friday |
night troops fell back some two miles, evacu-
ating Gettysburg, and forming ouG line Of battle
still some two miles IN tIc0acc Of the position
which We held at the opening OF the light on Wed
uesday evening
On Saturday morning our wagon trains were
brought out in sight of the enemy, as also our am
bulancc trains, and moved off in the direction of
Chambersburg.
Gen. STUART captured some 200 wagons and
1000 mules. He went within three miles of
Georgetown, near enough to sec the steepes of the
churches
Our wounded are coming in daily; some two
thousand having thus far arrived. They are being
received at the NJ. f. Church North. also at a Fe-
male Institute just opposite, and at another point
A good many, especially officers, are finding quar-
ters at private residences a large number of |
wounded have walked the entire distance from the
battlefield.
The route from hereto the army is by no means
safe one. The Yankee cavalry attacked our trains
on Sunday near Grecncastle, Pa, but were driven
off after short fight, by Imbodcn. Soldiers are
only permitted to leave here for the army if large
bodies, and citizeus not permitted to 90 on any
When the cavalry of the enemy dashed at our
smbulances near Grcencastlc, Sunday the citizens
sailed forth and cut up several of our wagons
When our cavhry had driven the enemy away
hese gentry were found, arrested, and will be duly
Jared for.
L hear it from good authority that have lost
some one hundred wagons, which the enemy have
.uceeeded in capturing from us. !
/ am gtatifed to be able to tell you that the
great Abolition Apostle Thad Stevens iron works, |
Nhicb~yere of the most extensive character have .
L.41sfrored hv fro wnra ON Lo Cat