Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1863-07-14
Stauntoa Spectator.
STAU n TON, " A.
TUESDAY, JULY IA, 1863.
FROM GEN. LEES ARMY,

The dispatches which have been sent
from Martinsburg in reference to militia
ny operationsin Pennsylvania have been
so very contradictory and unreliable
that it has been impossible to form any
satisfactory idea of what has really been
done. We had intended to publish them,
but found them so unreliable, and some
of them so palpably false-reporting
battles when none were fought THAT we
determined not to occupy space with
them. The Richmond Dispatch learns
from an officer of Wright's brigade, who
left Gettysburg on Saturday, the 4th, that
in the fight of Wednesday and Thursday
we whipped the enemy badly. On Fri
day the fight again commenced, being
chiefly done by our centre, which was
composed of Longstreet's corps and two
divisions of A. P. Hills corps. Neither
the right nor left wing was seriously en-
gagged. We drove the enemy back five
miles to the heights, which he had for.
tilted. In driving them this five miles
we broke through two of their lines Of
battle formed to receive the onset of our
troops, and finally charged them to the
heights. Here our men were order
ed to charge the heights, and the order
being executed, resulted in our repulse
On Friday night our wagon trains
were ordered to fall back, and com
menced going to the rear. 1t is sup
posed that our army fell back from want
of provisions. There was no scarcity of
ammunition, for there were many trains
of ordnance out of which not a single
cartridge or shell had been taken. Some
OF them were attacked by the enemy,
but lmboden's cavalry successfully drove
them off. Those of our men who were
slightly wounded and could walk were
sent Oft Saturday about noon. Those
who were severely wounded were left in
hospitals near the battle field. In the
fights of Wednesday, Thursday and Fri
day, General Lee took about 10, 900 pris-
oners, who were promptly sent to the
rear. During the same time we lost
about 1000 prisoners and about 1900
killed and Notwithstanding our loss
$4,000 in all. The battle was the most
furious that has taken place in this coun-
try, and the losses Of the enemy in killed
and wounded must exceed ours. In the
charge in which we drove the enemy
five miles, their loss, while flying be-
fore our troops, was enormous. Wright's
brigade suffered severely. One of the
regiments which went into action with q
Colonel, Lieut. Colonel, and five or siz
Captains, came out in charge ola Second
Lieutenant, the ranking officers having
been either killed or wounded.
After the battle of Friday, Gen. Lee
withdrew his army to Hagerstown, Md.
about thirty miles Southwest of Gettys
burg, where the battles were fought
A telegram to the Richmond Enquire
Of Friday last states that there had beer
severe fight at Boonsboro', Nd, OF
Wednesday, the Sth, in which we hat
repulsed the enemy after fight of tire,
hours. Boonsboro' is situated about 1!
miles, a little East of South, from Ha
gerstown. From what we have beel
enabled TO learn-and that is precious
litttle-we suppose that General Lee
army has taken a position not far from
Hagerstown, and is there awaiting th,
approach of the enemy, in anticipation
OF another terrible struggle.