Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-07-16


Lee falls back in good order to Hqgersto,on0- Mary
land not to- be abandoned.
A wounded officer of virgins Brigade, who arrived
at Richmond Thursday evening, gives some interesting
particulars of the battles of Gettysburg, which entirely
changes the face OF the published from Northern
sources. He left Gettysburg at IL o'clock on Saur
day morning From his statement the Dispatch gath.
ers the following particulars
In the fight of Wednesday and Thursday we whipped
the enemy badly. On Fride the fight again common
ced being chiefly done by centre, which COM
posed OF Longsreets corps and two divisions of Gen.
A. p Hills corps. Neither the right nor left wing
were seriously engaged We droue the enemu back five
miles to the heights which he had fortified In driving
them this five miles broke through two of their lines
of battle formed to receive the onset OF our troops
finally charged them to the heights. Here our men
ordered to charge the heights and the order being
executed resulted in our repulse.
On Friday night our wagon trains ordered to
fall back and commenced going to the rear 1t is sup
posed that army fell back from want of provisions
There was scarcity Of ammunition, for there were
many trains of ordnance, out OF which not single
cartridge or shell had been taken. Some of them lad
been attacked by the enemy, but lm6oden's cavalry
succt ssully drove them eff. Those of our men who
were slightly wounded and could walk, were sent of
Saturday about noon. Those who were severely
wounded left in hospitals near the battle field
In the fights of "Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday,
Gen. Lee took about 10000 prisoners, who were
promptly sent to the rear, and who, our informant
thinks will reach Virginia safely. During the same
time we lost about 600 killed and mountaineering
that has taken place in this country and the losses OF
the enemy in killed and wounded must exceed ours
In the charge upon them which drove them five miles,
their loss while flying before troops, enormous
Wrights brigade suffered severely. One OF the regl
ments which went into action with Colonel, Lieut..
Colonel and FIVE six Captains, out in charge
of secoLd Lieutenant, the ranking officers having
been either killed or wounded.
Our informant says that army fell back with the
greatest deiberation and orderto his expression
E-"splendidy There Generalization. None
of the officers have any idea that Gen Lee intends to
recross the Potomac has that intention been even
limited at by the officers commanding corps. 1t
generally and distinctly understood that the falling back
was caused by the difficulty in obtaining provisions
through long line OF communication as that from
Gettey sburg to Wiiamsp)rt ard no one in the army
believed that il intended to evacuate Maryland
The men III coed spirits ind ready for another
fight with the enemy.
TIE Potomac, when cur informant crossed was very
high It is proper to state that the officer from whom
the above Information obtained a very intel-
gent cool, and deliberate person, and not likely to
exaggerate any fact which he mi ht have learned
We last night conVersed with two wounded soldiers
of Pcketts division who left Gettysburg at II o'clock
on Saturday. They report that Pickett's division
with LongsIeet in the centre Friday and parcipa
ted in the charge upon the heights The charge result
ed in repulse, but nothing else.
The enemy did not leave his fortified heights to try
battle 10 the field again that day. Our two informants
who wounded, went back to their tents on the
ground they had occupied the night before, and
the next day at noon were sent Oft 10 Martinsburg-
They report the loss the division as very heavy The
lst Va, in Kempers brigade, and the 18th Va.
in Armstead's brigade, suffered heavily. Colonel j..
Gregory Hodges, of the latter regiment, Of
the best and bravest officers of the Army,
ported by informant to be killed severely wound
cd. The SD Va, also in Armstead's brigade suffered
heavily. The Captains Of companies IL, and Z =,
(names recollected) reported killed. They say
that in the falling back of army there stray
CLING, and that it done in excellent order. Skirm-
ichjO Who aft of Got r9ov
We were informed 10 authentic quarter late last
night, that gentleman had arrived in Richmond from
Washington yesterday evening" who lett the latter city
Sunday night He reports that the news received
there up to that time decidedly unfaVorable the
Federal arms, and that deep aud manifest feeling of
dependency pervaded the whole community in consc-
quence of the intelligence Efforts made to pre-
vent the information received by the authorities from
going to the public Little confidence was felt in the
ability of Meade's army to prevent Lees advance on
that city when he should attempt it, and much anxiety
was felt for the safety of the city No security was felt
1t was rumored during the afternoon of Yesterday
that dispatch had been received by the President
from Gen. Lee, stating that his army, in good order
bad fallen back to Hagerstown. We enquired Of the
President OF the truth of this report and assured
that such dispatch had been received by him. 1t
is stated however, that dispatch received (by
whom we could not earn) from the commandment OF the
pest at MarLsburg, stating that the army he'd reach
ed Hagerstown, with large number of prisoners and
that our forces were entrenching themselves on the
hills around the town
A gentleman who lived all the early part of his Lille
at Gettysburg makes the following statement, from
which it will be seen how difficult it is to surround or
cut off Gen. Lee:
"Gettysburg lies Northeast of Baltimore SO miles,
so from Washington on the road through Frederick,
which is Southeast from it distance Of 80 miles,
There is chain of mountains lying the West of and
within miles of Gettysburg on the West, extending
South through Frederick county. If Gen. Lee fell
back towards the Potomac he had the advantage of
these mountains, pursuing army would have to go
around them SCuthward through FREDERICK or else be
exposed to the narrow passes of these mountains
THE SITUATION IN MARYLAND
The President received letter from Gen, Lee on
Saturday. which puts to all apxeties in relation to
the situation of our army in Maryland, and confirms
the statements which have been made, that our army
has been unitormy victorious 10 it's encounters with the
enemy in Pennsylvania. The letter states in effect
that the engagements at Gettysburg resulted defeat
ing the enemy completely, in killing and wounding
number far exceeding our own, and ia the capture
of large number of prisoners that the fall
ing back of our army to Hagerstown was a pru-
dental move, not occasoned by any the part
OF the enemy, and not through any apprehension of
contingencies arising which might his success at
that point The gst of the letter, in few words is
that the enemy even more thoroughly cut up and
whipped than he has been upon Southern SOIL and
that the occupation of Hagerstown was movement
dictated by strategy and prudence, essential to the
success of the campaign The secret involved in this
movement may well be left to Gen. Lee to develope
IN his own good time The prisoners in our hands and
ON the way here, are unde1sar d. estimated at be-
tween 10000 and $4,000. The army is in fire spirits
and excellent condition.-Rich. Engr 18Th.
From the N. Y. Daily News.
| , 5fect Of the INVASION.