Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1863-07-08

Jul oolS SlOOu ike WILLIS
of stone and received their fire, returning
it with interest, while our light batteries
moved the enemy down with grape and
clnister, till the Fifth corps came 10 Their
support, and delivered their fire. Then
it was that with one magnificent, COM
bined enthusiastic charge they dispe sed
the rebels and drove them back from
their designs upon our left.
1t was in this attack that the brave and
gallent Colonel Ell. Everett Cross. of
Arizona, Colonel OF the Fifth New Hamp-
shire, and commanding the First brigade
of the First division of the Second corps,
received his mortal wound.
The Times correspondence has the TO-
lowing particulars:
Our line was not regularly in shape
Indeed the center prOtruded out toward
the enemy so as to form almost the two
sides of a triangle. Before shutdown Cen
eral Meade's head quarters proved to he
the hottest place on the battle field, so
far as careless Smelling was concerned.
General Howard occupied, with his
corps, a beautiful cemetery on a hill TO
the south of Gettysburg. Cinnons thun-
dering, horses pranced, and men careless
ly trampled over the remains of the dead.
From this hill a beautiful view could be
obtained of the valley, and also of a good
ly number OF the enemy's line of battle.
Our forces had all been concentrated
on Tuesday night, save the 9TH and 9th
corps. The former arrived during the
morning, and the latter soon after noon.
They were all massed Immediately be-
hind our center.
At 81 o'clock, General Meade had re-
oeived sufficient assurances to justify him
in the belief that the rebels wrere con-
centrating their forces on our left flank,
which all felt to be secure under the pro-
lection of the invincible Third corps
Our line was Immediately strengthened
on that flank, General SickleS' corps be-
ing sent to his support, and several bat
teries from the reserve being brought out
and placed in position.
At about II o'clock in the afternoon
the enemy sent his first compliments by
salvo of artillery, his first shells falling
uncomfortably near General Meade's head
quarters. From this hour forth to 81
o'clock, occurred by all odds the most san
culinary engagements yet chronicled in
the annals of the war, considering its
short duration. The artillery attack which
was made by the enemy on the left and
centre was rapidly followed by the advance
of his infantry. The Third corps receiv-
ed the attack with great GOODNESS. The
rebels at once made for our flank, and
kept moving heavy columns in that di-
rection. This necessitated support, which
was very quickly given by the Fifth corps.
The division of General Barnes being
sent to the right, and that of Gen. Ayres,
regulars, to the left, with General Craw-
ford in reserve.
The battle now became perfectly fear
full. The armies engaged each other at a
very short range and for three longhours
the war of musketry was incessant. L
have heard a great deal more noise. and
louder brushes, in other battles, but | new
er saw or heard of such desperate fight
ing as took place Oh his flank. The en-
envy would often bring up suddenly a
heavy column of men, and force our line
back, only to be in turn forced back by
our own line Of glittered steel. Our GAL
liant columns covered themselves with glo-
ry over and over again. They fought a
superior force in numbers. The DISPOSE
ton of the enemy were very rapid. for
look where you would on that field a body
of rebels would be advancing. Our dis
positions were equally rapid. and the en-
emv found more than their equal in such
gallant veterans as Sickles and Birney and
Humphreys. At half-past six General
Sickles was struck in the right leg Lv p
piece of shell, and borne from the field.
The injury was so great that amputation
became necessary. and it was performed
successfully-the limb being taken Oft be-
low the knee.
The struggle grew hotter and hotter
The second corps was called on for aid,
and through its own position was strong
" threatened. vet the First division. for
merly General HancOck's. flung them
elves into the fight with desperation. and
after Il long and obstinate conflict the en-
envy slowly and s~ullenly gave way. TIE
rebels made frequent attempts to capture
our artillery, and at one time had Wat
battery in their possession. but it
was retaken in a furious charge by Bir-
nevis division.
The battle lasted till fully 81 o'clock.
when the enemy fell back to his old posi-
ton, and left our veterans the ensanguin-
ed Viotors of that field. Our pickets were
thrown out, and our lines covered most
of the field, including a great number of
the enemy's dead and wounded.