The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1863-07-15
Z Great Victory. .

After three days Of terrible fighting at
Gettysburg, the army under General
Meade has won a complete and splendid
victory over the rebel forces under Lee.
The battles of Thursday and Friday were
fercely contested, the rebels throwing
dense columns upon our troops with des-
perate determination, and our men receiv-
ing and repelling the attack with endur-
ing valor, strewing the field with the en-
emy's dead and wounded. 1t is as yet
impossible to estimate the losses on either
side, but they are undoubtedly enormous
The most trustworthy accounts place our
loss at two thousand killed, and from six
to eight thousand wounded, but this may
be an ezaggeration. The rebel losses are
estimated to be twenty thousand killed
and wounded, while the number of pris
oners captured by our army is immense
over eight thousand having already ar
rived at Baltimore. It is reported that
over one hundred pieces of artillery have
been captured from the enemy.
Official dispatches from General Meade
up to half-past eight o'clock on Sunday
morning, confirm the reports of victory.
Although very brief, these dispatches
give a clear view of the nature of the op-
eratlons of Thursday, Friday and Satur-
DAY, and we therefore give them IN chro
nologica. order:
GETTYSBURG, July 3-8:30P. NJ.
-Najcr- Geperai HaHeck:
/ The enemy opened at one o'clock P NJ.
from about one hundred and fifty guns,
concentrated upon my left centre, contin-
uing without intermission for about three
hours, at the expiration of which time he
assaulted my left centre twice, being upon
both occasions handsomely repulsed with
severe loss to him, leaving in cur hands
nearly three thousand prisoners.
F.! Among the prisoners are Brigadier-
Generals Armisted and Archer and many
colonels and officers of lesser rank.
! The enemy left many dead upon the
| field and a large number Of wounded in
our hands.
The loss upon our side has been con.
J siderable. Major General Hancock and
! Brigadier- General Gibbon were wounded
/ After the repellipg of the assault, indi
cations leading to the belief that the en-.
emy might be Withdrawing, an armed re
connoissance was pushed forward from the
left and the enemy found to be in force
At the present hour all is quiet.
NY cavalry have been engaged all day
on both aanks Of the enemy, harrassin9
and vigorously attacking him with great
success, Notwithstanding they ercoun
tered superior numbers, both of cavalry
and infantry.
The army is in fine spirits.
GEORGE G. MEADE.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE PoToMAc,( |
July Moon.
JIajor- General Halieck:
The position of affairs is not materially
changed since my last dispatch Of seVer
o'clock A. II.
We now hold Gettysburg.
The enemy has abandoned large nun
bers of his killed and wounded on the field
l shall probably be able to give you ;
return Of our captures and losses before
night, and return Of the enemy's killed
and wounded in our hands.
Gro G. MEADE, Maj Gen.
HEADQUARTERs ARMY OF THE POToNAC,
July $50 A. II.
4GGjor- General HdNeck:
The enemy retired under cover of the
night and the heavy rain, in the direction
of Fairfield aud Cashtown.
Our cavalry are in pursuit,
Upwards of 20 battle flags viii be
turned in from one corps.
Ny wounded and those of the enemy
are in our hands.
GEO. G. 7iEAD2, Naj.-Gen.