The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1863-07-17

to Ro1nd Top hill. Sickles had advanced
two divisions into the meadow, Just east o
the Emmettsburg road. On his extreme lef
was the 9th Massachusetts battery, Capt Big
Glow; close by him was Phillips battery
Along the line the sharpshooters were at it,
over behind the fences along the Emmetts-
burg read, and the rebels behind the fence:
and in the fields of waving grain in front Of
their line.
Let US walk along the entire line before
the battle begins and see the exact positions
of the troops, commencing at Rock creek
On the extreme right are Slocum's 18th
corps, Gen. Lockwood's division holding the
ground from Rock creek up to the crest Of
the hill, Gen Williams division on the sum
init, and Gen. Geary's reaching down the
western slope through the woods TO Wads.
worth's and Robinscn's divisions of the first
corps, which extended TO the town.
Here, as have said, the line makes al
most right angle, and instead of walking
nearly west, you turn 20 the south. Then in
the cemetery and in the field north of It are
the remnants Of the eleventh corps-Gen.
Ames' division holding the angle, Schurz
and Steinwehr being in the cemetery, with
an apple orchard and stone wall for protec-
ton. This is our strong position. 10 take
it in front is All impossibility, but if Ewell
makes his oath good to take the wooded h;il
ere Slocum is posted. Howard will be in
al unpleasant position, for the Mill IS nearly
as high as the cemetery and he Will then be
subject to fire in front, on his right flank
and in his rear. You admire this position
of Howard. for from here he can do what no
other man cam-he can reach every foot OF
the enemy's lines, from Ewell. away up in
the northeast on Rock creek. TO A. L. Hill,
across the town at the seminary. TO Long
street, down in front of Round Top.
! Major Osborn is in command Of thirty
four pieces of artillery here. He will WELD
tremendous power. Lee knows it, and You
can see from the preparations along the enc
my's lines, the planting of batteries, that here
will be continuous storm of shot and shell.
Osborn will receive a concentrated fire. Lee
must silence the lips of these thirty-tour be-
fore he can hope to take and hold our weak
est position.
Crossing the youngstown road You come
TO the ID corps, Hancock's. Here you are
in fields. You see Hayes division on the
right. Gibbons in the centre, Caldweli's on
the left. HAYES is in grove of small oaks
Gibbons and Caldwell are taking down tie
rails from the fences and are LAYING them up
for barricade, and men with shovels are
digging trench for a rife pit about four
rods west Of the highest part OF the ridge
There are the batteries behind. in position to
fire over the men in the ;rench-to sweep
the meadows and fields in front. This iS
our weakest part of the line-no natural de-
fenses, simply little smooth swell of land.
with a clear, unobstructed open field in front
no obstruction. except the fences along the
Emmettsburg road. good musket shot distant.
/ beyond Hancock is Sckles' 81 corps. ad-
vanced forty rods from the bridge, living
sheltered by swell of land, on which you
SEE two-story brick house, the home of Mr..
Wilson.
This is the outline. But inside of this Is
the fifth corps, Sykes and the sixth, Sedge-
wick's-moveable pieces, to be used as sup
ports, braces or blocks-timbers TO strength
en- the weak parts of the buildings when the
storm comes on. You admire the arrange
ment. In fifteen minutes these two interior
forces can be thrown 10 the extreme right,
TO the extreme left, or to the angle in the
centre. Here also is the reserve artillery.
admirably parked, to be brought into use in
an instant and then behind. east Of Rock
creek, is Pleasanton. with Gregg and Xii
patrick, to prevent ans attack on the rear
A few waves Of flag from that small house
on the TaDeytown road Nill spread thes,
wings instantly. the right one for sweep
around Ewell, the lef, one for 4 longer stretch
beyond Round Top, at l.ongstreet
i You are pleased at the concentration 81
force--its disposition. If Long~teet and
Hill combine to sweep over the slight bar.
riers which Hancock is throwing up. these
two blocks can be placed upon the ridge tc
roll them back. If Ewell and Hill creey
down Rock creek under the shade Of the
grand old oaks, they can be placed with Slo
cum tC make it still more hill of difficult,
II the enemy.
THE ADVANCE
In the afternoon the Sd corps was ordered
to advance across the fields and reconnoitel
the enemy on the left. Some movement.
/ had been noticed in the woods beyond Ste
vens' run. Sickles advanced nearly mile
Blgelow's battery was taken forward nearl,
to the Emmettsburg road to cover the ad
} vance or the recall.
1t was not the intention of Gen. Meade tc
bring on the battle, but the enemy was ready
and in reality had begun to move at the
time the Sd advanced. A battery opene5
on Lonstreet's extreme right. Another anG
another. The fire run along the entire from
line up to Rev. DIR. Schmucker's house. L
was furious. was at the moment near IN.
cemetery. 1t rained shot ard shell. Knock