Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-10-08

Gen Stuar, copfinued to fellow the movements of
the Federal army south OF the Potomac after our own
had entered MARYLAND auG in his efforts to impede its
advanced as far eastward as Fairax Court
Heus. iii ding himself u abe to delay the enemy
materially be crossed the rv at Scntca and marched
through Westminster to Carlisle, where he trrived az
ter Gen. E~eE hsd lett f:g Gettysburg ny the route
he lursued the Ftderai army lnerpcsed between
his command and main body, preventing any COM
muDication with him uF his arrival at Carlisle
The march towards Gettysburg was conducted more
slowly than it would have hem, bad the movements Oh
the Federal army been known.
y be leading division OF Hill met tie enemy IN adj
vance Ge tt sburg on the the morning OF the Isl OF
July. Driving back these troops to within short
dis ance OF the town, he there encountered larger
force, With which two OF bis divisions became engaged
Ewel coming u. With two Of his divisions by the
Heideesburg road, Joined in the engagement. The
enemy were driven through Gettysburg with heavy
oss including about FIVE thousand prisoners ard several
piects of artillery.
He retired to high range OF hills 81 nth ard east OF
the town. The attack not pressed that afternoon,
the enemys force being knowD, and 1t berg consd
cred advisable to await the arrival OF the rest OF our
troops.
Orders were sent to Easen their rich and 10 the
meantime every effort made to ascertain the uun
bers and position of the enemy ard u the mCst favor
able point Of attack 1t had not been intended to light
general battle at such distance from our base, un
less attacked by the enemy but find pg ourselves unex
pectly confronted by the Federal army, it became
with large trains At the same tina, tire country
was untavorabe for collecting supplies while in the
presence OF the euenys main boly as be YVES enabled
to restrain oragng parties by occupying the passes
OF the mountains with regular and local troops.
battle thus became, in measure, unavoidable. En-
couraged by the successful issue of tie engagement OF
the first day. and in view OF the valuable results that
would ensue from the defeat Of the army of Gen Meade,
it was thought advisable TO renew the attack.
The remainder OF Eweli's and Hills corps having
arrived and two divisions OF 1Iongsreets, prepara
tioIs were made accordingly: During the AFTERNOON,
INTEL gence received of the arrival OF Gen. Stuart
at Carlisle, and be ordered to march to Gettys
burg and take position he lef. full account ct
these engagements canlo be given until the reports OF
the several commanding Ulcers shall have b:e1 receiv
ed, and l shall only offer general description.
The preparations for attack were not completed un-
til the afternoon OF the ID,
he emmy he'd high and commanding ridge along
which he had n1assed large amount OF artillery Gen
erai h~e oesrisd The lett Of cur ne General Hillthe
centre and General Longseet the right. In ont of
Gen. Longsleot the Enemy held position from which,
if he could be driven, it thought that army
could be used to advantage in asscllng the eeva
ted ground beyond, aid thus enable us TO reach the
crest of the ridge. hat officer directed to endeavor
to carry this position, while General well attacked d.
recty the hgh ground the enemys right, which had
already been partially fortified. Gen. Hill nsruc:
ted to threaten the centre OF the Federal line, in order
to prevent renforcemens being sent to either wing and
avail himself of any opportunity that might present
itself to attack.
After severe Struggle Longstyeet succeeded in get
ling possession OF ard holding the desired ground
Ewe also carried some of the shorg positions which
be assaed and the result was such to lead to the be-
lief that be would ultimately be able to dislodge the
enemy. he battle ceased at dark.
These partial successes etermint6 to continue
the assault day. Pickett, with three OF his brig
AIDES joined Lolgs1rrtt the following morning, and oul
batteries moved forward 10 the position gained by
him the Gay before
no l,,an of all
TINT one division and two brigades of Hills corps
ordered to support I4ongs2reer
The enemy in the meantime had strengthened bis ne
with earthwoIks. The morning was occupied in neces
sar7 preparations and the battle recommended in ht
afternoon Of the 81 and ragged with great violence
til sunset Our troops succeeded in entering the ad
vanced works of the enemy, and getting possession
some of his batteries but our artillery having nearly
expended its ammunition, the attacking columns be
ccme exposed to the heavy fire of tie Numerous bate
ri the summit Of the ridge and, after most de
telnned ard gallant struggle, were compeled to rtln
on sh THAR advantage, and fall back to their oigpa
Positions, with severe loss. .
The conduct of 'ta troops all that could d+sir
Xpect, and they deserved success far it can b.
IL erred by heroic Valor and fortiude.> Nj ore ma.
been required Of hem than they able to per
fon, but my admiration of their noble qualities, ant
confidence in their ability to cope successfully with thu
m has suffered no abatement from theissue of Thu
pr. ire cted and eana s.inary co1i,c
Owing to thc 'trtngh of the enemys position ant
h reduction O. Gr ammunition, renewal Of the en-
gaXtnent could llJt be hazarGei and the difficulty o
procuring supplies rendered it impossible TO continu
Logger where We we're. Such of the unded wer
ir condition to be removed and pert of the arms col
Iected the field, ordered to Wlliamsport Ih
army remained at Gettysburg during the 4th, and a
night began to ret by tie road to Fairfield carrying
with it ab.ut tour thousand prisoners Nearly tw
tht usand bad previously been paroed, but the enc
mys numerous wounded that had fallen into oar hand
after the first and second days engagements LEI
bel ind.
Little progress made that night owing to a &C
we're storm, which greatly embarrassed movements
Ehe of the column did not leave its position
Gettysburg until after daylight on the 9Th.
Ihe march was continued during that day withou
interruption by the enemy, except uuimportant de
monsration upon our in the afternoon, when nea
Fairfield, which easily checked. Part of our trail
moved by the road through Fairfield and the rest b.
The way of Cashtown, guarded by General Imboden
coamn, the great length Of the trains exposed them
attack by the enemys cavalry, which captured nun
ba of wagons and ambulances; but they succeeded il
reaching Williamspcrt without serious loss.
They were attacked at that place On the 9Th By tn
eneny's cavalry which was CALAMITY repused by Gen
tmboden. The attacking force subsequently en-
corntered and driven off by Gen. Stuart and pursue
for several miles in the direction Of Boonesboro Th
army after ayduous march, rendered more difficult b.
rains reached Hagerstown the afternoon of the 6
and morning Ct the It'll July.
The Potomac was found to be so much swollen by IT,
rains that had fallen almost necessarily since our en-
trance into Maryland, to be unfordable. Oar com
muuications with the South side were thus Interrupted
IA it difficult to procure either ammunition or sub
sistence the latter difficulty being enhanced by the hg
waters impeding the working Of the neighborng mills
The trains with the wounded and prisoners were com
PEELED to await at Wilamsport the subsiding of tn
river and the construction of boats, as the pontoo,
hriN or Wafc bo6 hco, J.