Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1863-07-10
rHE wAh IN ,rHr EAST.


the Army Of the Potomac is now accom-
plishing. 81
Wehave certainly made Lee repent al.
ready his temerity. Doubtless by this time
he feels that he has got too far from Rich.
mond. The journey back, we trust will be
regulated by the rules Of the cartel. The
facts seem to be that our advance impinged
upon the rebels about the middle of last
week. That we were too weak aud recoiled,
but not far. Falling back on our supports
a strong position was taken. The rebels con.
fidently made their attack. 1t was terrific
battle, from appearances one Of the severest
OF the war. Now our lire swerved, rallied
again, and pushed the enemy, finally it was
the rebels who being again and again repuls-
ed with loss, withdrew In a manner so doubt
ful, as to leave it scarcely clear whether they
were retreating, or whether it was only a
change of maneuver. This brings the stu
alton down to Saturday, when one account
says the rebels are in the town Of Gettys.
burg and entirely hemmed in by our troops.
There was no fighting on Saturday aside
from artillery duels and picket skirmishing.
The official dispatches are, one from Sec.
rotary Stanton and two from General Meade
himself. The position Of affairs, as reported
is in the highest degree encouraging, and
coupled with the obstacles referred to in the
dispatches as being opposed to Lees retreat,
there is every reason to hope that our solid
advantages thus far will end in substantial
victory.
THE BATTLE OF WEDNESDAY.
The battle Of Wednesday, concerning re-
suits and losses, was partial repulse to us,
not because our troops did not fight splen-
didly, but simply because the enemy very
largely outnumbered Us.
On that day we were the attacking party.
Gen. Meade arrived on the ground Wednes.
day night, and at once resolved on making
purely defensive battle.
Gen. Howard, who after his arrival on
Wednesday evening, bad had command, Sc
lected high bluff south of Gettysburg, on
which their cemetery is located, and had
stationed troops there up along that line, and
had planted batteries to sweep every ap.
proach. Gen. Meade adopted this as a prop
err position for his centre, and at once ar
ranged the other corps as they came up on
either flank, and on the cemetery hill along
the outside heights, giving to our whole line
nearly the shape of horse SHOE
three high eminences, and afforded numer-
Gus splendid positions for our batteries, and
with such disposition we awaited the enemy's
attack. .."f
THE BATTLE ON THURSDAY.
AT daylight Lees right wing batteries
opened upon our left, shortly after those of
his centre followed; after half an hours
cannonading doing but little damage to US,
the fire slackened, and only occasional shots
were exchanged. Shortly afterwards the
enemy's left, composed entirely of infantry
and sharpshooters, made an attack on our
right wing so sudden and impetuously that
our skirmishers and front line were driven
back from their entertainments, but by aid
of the batteries in the rear and the bravery
of the 18th corps, we regained the first po-
sition, capturing considerable number of
prisoners. Several hours of OMNIBUS silence
followed this repulse. AT one o'clock the
enemy fred two shots, apparently the signal
for the grandest artillery fight ever witnessed
on this continent Before moment elapsed
it is estimated that at least eighty guns
opened, when our batteries returned the fire,
and for more than one hour it seemed impos-
sible that man or beast could live. The
range, as exhibited on the second previous
days, was wanting on this occasion, most
Of their shells exploding far in the rear of
our front, and generally missing our bate
ries. " .. - .s'..'t A. q. .s-.. -s...'4
Under the cover of this Lee advanced his
columns Of infantry from their covers,
and made several desperate attempts to
carry the lines by assault, but each success
sive attempt was repulsed with terrific havoc
to them. ..
Some of our batteries, their ammunition
being expended and the men exhausted,
ceased to fire, and on the approach of the
reserve batteries withdrew to the rear The
enemy only seeing the batteries withdrawn,
and installing this for retreat, made rap
id infantry charge upon the hill and obtained
a position in our lines, cutting to pieces and
almost annihating the small infantry sup
ports, but before they had time to rejoice at
their imaginary successes, the breach bate
ries poured in deadly fire Of canister and
case shot. The infantry reserves joined on
either flank Of the gap, charged them, and
added greatly to their destruction. They
were completely surprised, and hundreds
threw down their arms and asked for quarter.
Nearly the entire brigade of Gen. Dick Gar
nett surrendered, aud Garnett himself was
wounded and barely made his escape.
THE BATTLE OF FRIDAY.
On Friday forenoon, by ten minutes past
4, the attack opened furiously on our ex.
IRENE right, held by Slocum's corps. Du.
ring the night this corps had left the rifle
pits;it had constructed on Thursday, to go
to reinforce some weaker portion of the line,
and daylight showed the rebels in possession
of these riae-pits, and eager to press their
advantage. The fight at first was confined
chiefly to musketry, our artillery being I'M
able to see where to direct their fire. From !
half past to 6 A. NJ, firing was very fierce,
but we were unable yet to regain the rife
pits. The rebels made several charges on
our line, striving but unsuccessfully to drive
US still farther back.
From this time until half past ten fight
ingboth with musketry and artillery was ter
rifle, and ended in our regaining our rifle.
pits. -..-.-.
Meantime the rebels, at about half past 10, /
made sharp attack on our centre and
light, without accomplishing anything except
riddling small house occupied for Gen.
Meade's headquarters, with shell and round
shot, From eleven to one was compare
i've lull. Our troops held their old positions
.long the whole line, and quietly awaited
urther attack.
A little after thu rehpls onnned their In RI