The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-07-11
FROM THE GREAT CONFLICT
IN Pennsylvania.
THE REBELS GET THE WORST
OF 1T.
l. LONGSTREET MORTALITY WOUN-
DED
GEN. A. p. HILL KILLED.

HEADQUR RS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC
SEMI-OFFIGIAL REPORT, July 3.-The de-
cislve battle has been fought to-day and
the enemy routed with terrific loss. At
daylight Lees right wing batteries opened
upon our left and shortly after those of his
centre followed. After half an hours can
nonade, 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 entrenchments, but
by the aid of a battery in the rear and the
bravery of the 18th corps we regained the
first position capturing aconsiderable num-
ber Of prisoners.
Several hours of ominous silence follow
ed this repulse. AT l o'clock the enemy
fired two guns, apparently the signal for
the grandest artillery fight ever witnessed
on this continent. Before moment had
elapsed, it is estimated that at least so guns
opened upon us. Our batteries returned
the fire, and fer more than an hour it
seemed impossible for either man or beast
to live. The range as exhibited on the two
previous days, was wanting on this occa-
sion. Most of their shells exploded far in
the rear of our front, and generally mis-
sing our batteries.
Under cover of this Lee advanced his
columns of infantry from their cover, and
made several desperate attempts to carry
the lines by assault, but each successive
attempt was repulsed with terrible havoc
| to them. Some of our batteries whose
ammunition being expended and the troops
exhausted, ceased to fire, and on the
approach Of our reserve batteries,
withdrew to the rear. The enemy only
seeing the batteries withdrawn, and mis-
taking this for retreat, made rapid in
fantry charge upon the line and obtained a
position in our lines cutting to pieces and
almost annihilating the small infantry
supports, but before they had time to re-
joice over their imaginary successes, the
fresh batteries poured in a deadly fire OF
canister and case shot. The infantry re-
serves joined on either side of the gap,
charged dthem and added greatly to their
destruction. They were completely sur.
prised, and hundreds threw down theil
arms and asked for quarter. Nearly the
entire brigade of Gen. Dick Garnet surren.
dered, and Garnet himself barely made his
escape. Longstreet was mortally wounded
and captured. He is reported to have dice
in an hour afterwards.
About 4:30 P. NJ. the artillery Of the enc
my Stacked, and entirely ceased at 5. The
last shots they fired We're far beyond theil
original position, and the infantry columns
had withdrawn to their covers.
We took upwards of 10000 prisoners
The enemy captured but few, if any, o
our prisoners.
The rebel prisoners report that Gen
A. P. Hill was killed outright upon tn
9 field, and that the officers suffered far great
, er casualties than in any previous en-
gagement. So terrific was the fire that tn
small house where Gen. Meade and Sta1
were quartered was perforated by severa
Shots Many of the staff horses were kille'
around the house. General Buttertiel
was struck in the breast and it is feare
internally injured by a piece Of shell tina
exploded in the building.
Several Of our general officers Wer
wounded in the engagement. Gen. Han
cock was wounded in the leg. Gems. Glib
bon, Warren, and Hunt were wounded
; In consequence Of the excitement and tn
difficulty of obtaining their locations, tn
names of many prominent officers, report
ed as killed or wounded, cannot be ascel
:, tained tonight.
Too much credit cannot be given to on
batteries. which for hours stood to thei
guns under burning sun and surrounde
: by the missiles of death. retiring only
give their positions to others when thel
: caissons were exhausted. The infantry dl
= nobly their duty, and the enemy, to-day, &
J their hands. have received the greatest dis
e aster ever administered by the Union army
All officers award the highest honor
Gen. Meade for able generalship since b
) assumed command, and particularly ft
L the coolness, decision and energy OF tn
y memorable Sd of July.
Last night believing 1t to be his duty
= the cause and to learn how far be would
u supported in the approaching conflict, h
. . summoned his corps and division con