Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-07-23

On the Top lave Deen CUT away aud there
is signal station, There is the extreme
left of Neade's line.
Looking now along the western alope OF |
the ridge, you see the Emmetsburg turn
pike running southerly, while the ridge |
itself, as | have said, runs little to the |
east OF south. Our skirmishers are west |
Of the Emmettsburg road, our batteries
are on the ridge, and the Third corps ia
ly ing In the meadow along the east side of
the Emmettsburg ROAD. i
Looking now. once more, into the north |
west, to the Theological Seminary. you see
8 counter ridge of land, lower at the SEM
mary than at the cemetery, also running
south, with groves, hedges, single trees,
hillocks and undulations, not SO abrupt as
On the eastern ridge. Here is the rebel
line. Let Us start now at the hill on our
rlght-the hill we noticed as we came up
tue Littletown road-tor walk along the
entire line. We 60 half a mile c little
south OF west to the town, then southeast
for mile and half, the line being almost
two miles long. Behind this Is concen-
trated Meade's entire army, with tie ex-
ception Of cavalry. Lee being outside, of
course has longer line, but in its general
direction Lees conforms to Meade's, the
cemetery being Meade's angle and the SEM
mary Lees. | speak now of the position
on Thursday and Friday.
FIRST DAYS ENGAGEMENT.
Gen. Reynolds had received information
that there were rebels in the vicinity of
Gettysburg. He was encamped several
miles south of the town, On Marsh creek,
one of the afluents of the Monocacy. He
was moving from Emmetsburg, starting
at 7 A. NJ, and reaching the town at 10.
he sent Buford's cavalry with battery
ahead, and found the enemy in force west
of the town, near the Theological Semina
ry, approaching by the Casntown road,
which leads to Chambersburg, west.-
Cutters brigade, of Wadsworth's division,
was leading the column, and moved into
the open field near the seminary, on the
double quick Meredith's brigade of the
same division also came up rapidly and
formed on the left. This is called the
Western Iron Brigade, composed wholly
of western troops.
SkirmishiDg commenced, and Reynolds
ordered the divisions to advance, which
was done, and the rebels driven from
their position.
Finding them in strong and increasing
| force, RobinsOn's division was brought up
on the right of Wadsworth. The sharp
shooting still continued. Gen. Reynolds
rode over the field toward the house of
DR.. Schmucke to reconnoitre, when he
received the fatal shot through the head.
de had sent a note early in the morn
ing to Gen. Howard, who was behind
with tie Eleventh. Gen. Howard taking
another road, that there might be no in
| reference of trains with troops, made a
| rapid march of thirteen miles, and arrived
on the field at half past one. Gen. Dou-
bleday was then 10 command. Gen.
Howard assumed command of the two
corps, Gen. Schurz taking command of the
Eleventh.
Meanwhile Ewells entire force of
twenty-five thousand men was pouring in
from the northeast on the York and
Carlisle road, and there was imminent
danger to the First. The arrival of the
Eleventh was most opportune. Gen.
Howard sent a messenger to Gen. Sic
cum, who was few miles behind, inform
ing him of the condition of affairs, and at
once made disposition of his tried force
to meet the onset of Ewell.
Gen. Howard, with quick eye, on his
advance had noticed Evergreen Cemetery
as a strong position. Seeing also that
the enemy was superior to him, and that
he might be forced to retire, he sent
Steinwehr's brigade with battery of re-
serve artillery to hold it. He sent Schurz
and Barlow to the aid of the First corps.
The troops went through the town on
the run. They were eager to efface the
stain of Charlottesville upon their honor.
They came into position on the right Of
the First corps, along the Carlisle road.
They had hardly got into line when Ewell
came down the hull with his entire corps
in four lines upon the extreme right flank
of the 18th, as it intending to work his
way into the town and cemetery. The
1lth held its ground manfully, but gradu-
ally the flank begantC bend. At the same
! time. A. ?. Hill moved south of Rev Dr.
| Schmucker's house through grove and
orchard. over the ground where Reynolds
fell, and attacked the First corps in flank.
1t was an attempt on the part of the ene-
my to fold up the wings of Howard, gain
the town on both sides and have him i'm
prisoned.
Alter resisting the overpowering force
from one till four P. NJ, the order was
given to fall back.
During the three hours fighting a large
number of prisoners were taken, but when
the order came for falling back, the regi-
ments became exposed in filing through
the town, AID the enemy improved the
opportunity to take about fifteen hundred.
Col. Howard, a brother Of the General,
was sent to urge Slocum to advance with
the 18th. He was then five miles distant.
When he arrived he took position on the
hill by Rock Run, the position he held
during the two succeeding days engage
menrs. The Third corps, Sickles', came
up and took position on the Emmettsburg
pike. The enemy, evidently we'll pleased
with what they had done, land perhaps mis-
trusting trap, or that the entire army
was lying behind the cemetery, or perhaps
also waiting for Longslreet and Lee, made
no attempt to push their advantage that
night. The town was occupied by the
pickets OF both parties.
Messengers were sent to the corps which
had not yet arrived, and from all quarters
Union and rebel troops were fastening
Wednesday night marching in the clear
light Of the full moon toward that pleas
ant town tor one of the greatest conflicts
of modern times.
There is no doubt that this engagement
was prematurely brought on by Gen. Rey-
nolds. Gen. Meade desired to find the
enemy, and compel Lee to make the at
tack. But perhaps, after ali, it was the
very thing needed. The enemy was flushed
by the success. He was confident. He