Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-07-14

The Battles.

From the TylJunes correspondent we con-
dense the following account Of Thursdays and
Fridays battles between the Army Of the Poto-
mac ard the rebel army Of Gen. Lee:
During the night Gen. Meade and staff came
up to the front The Commanding General care
fully examined the surrounding country, and after
considering the locations and positions in all their
srategcal and tactical bearing, he approved OF the
position taken BY Gen. Howard, and so disposed
biz forces on the several hills or round tops and
ridges, as to construct battle line in the form OF
crescent, With the ce nter to the southwark IRON
the cemetery,
For once in the history Of the Army Of the Po'
omac, the enemy was compelled to give battle al
disadvantage.
On Wednesday night all the troops but the
SIKH Corps, commanded by Gen. Sedg~lck ar
rived on the field. The veteran division, known
as the Pennsylvania Reser7s Corps, was attached
TO the Fifth Corps. The Second Vermont Brig
ade, nine months men, we're assigned to the FIRST
Corps. Oa Thursday morning the line was FORM
ed as follows: Slocums Corps on the right, How
ard Joining on the left Haucocks (Couch'O,
Newton, (Reynolds1 and Sickes Corps in the
centre and Sykes (Meade's) on the LEFT. Nu-
mericay, commencing with the right, the line
was formed OF the l2!h, llth, I'd, lst, 81, and
9Th Corps
! Gen. Meade did not fight bis army by corps
| As the battle ragged more feroey here or there
detachments OF divisions or brigades were sent to
support, and would remiin until needed elsewhere.
So admirably we're the several resstances and on
slauehts managed that whenever and wherever
supporting columns we're needed then and there
they would be found in sufficient force to accom-
plish tie object desired.
All the nights, and every advantageous posi-
ton along the entire line where artillery could be
massed or battery planted, frowned down on the
enemy through brows OF brass and IRON: lheIt
was no conceivable advance Of approach that could
not be raked and crossed with the artillery. iht
reserve artillery and oil the essentials TO insure
victory were in position at the right Tune. lh'
immense cavalry force, too, for once, was present
covering both iianks Of the army and continual!
harassing the enemy. This was new and en-
couraging feature, that gave confidence TO In
men and security to the trains.
f. Early on Thursday morning the ene,ny com
menced feeling the lines Of Gen. Meade's army
Skrmishlng continued more or less severe unit
O'Clock in the afternoon. Suddenly, at abou
1 this time the enemy opened terrific hre on th'
4 Cemetery Hill held by the llth corps on In
rieht--center held by the % Corps The artllle
nv in front of the enemy's fire replied vgorousl!
: and for two hours the roar and thunder and liam
i and smoke of artillery and the screeeh OF she'll
30 completely filed The heavens that all els
seemed forgotten. -
= One form. however, with mind intent on hig
. nurno,es. stood on an emlnence leaning slight
|, forward, and with eagle eye pierced the vail
,s smoke, and saw aud felt and knew that an hol
N more terrible by far than the present was comm
rapidly-was even present.
On the left, through the woods, black mass'
!, we're seen moving-larger, more frequent an
e. nearer Skirmishing in that part oil the Ne
:, becomes sharper Gen. Slckes is ordered 10
- ward to develop the enemy,s intentions. II
Z black columns come out ofthe wood and sudden
"A the thunder OF artillery ceased and, with enee
a and wells, the roar of musketry and Hash oil oa,
- onet full so 900 men from Longslreets and IN
= - corps, came rushing against ou lines. The Thu
u u Corns stood firm for a while, but aiterward ga
30 way beneath the weight OF the attacking So'u'I
a aud on they came ten-told more furious 'hah
nd fore. ~. l..
no no Sickles fell severely wounded in the leg al
ti his corps was literally cut to pieces. Inc oeco
he Corps was thrown in the breach lfom Tue rie
no and the Fifth from the left Iae Second Sullet
. fearfully. Hancock received painful hesh Wou
nj in the thigh, but refused to be led from Tue h'
nd while the engagement continued mere
as Gen. Gibbons was wounded IN the shoula
,as The terrible charge and fierce battle ragged
an unabated fury. The Fifth Corps, including
an REGULARS and the Pennsylvania Reserves, str'
,rs pled in the herculean labor with the determlna'
he of men born to conquer in battle.
re-. The aid of the 18th Corps, from the extre
xn right, was called for, and division was orde'
by up, and about the same time Sedgwlck came
with the 9Th Corps, after march oil 30 eohse
els tive hours. The men were footsore, many WI
tho out shoes on their feet, hungry and weary, re'
CO to drop on the road from exhaustation. Wh
as, however. the situation flashed into the minds
Of these weary soldiers, the fire and zeal Tor WI
hat This Corps Is so Justly celebrated, was KIND
~ answ in their hearts. They awaited but the
DER and that impatently to be led against
~. enemv The order was given, and, IKE
nd fresh from camp, they went down upon
'Ls Ln hangh,y foe like an avalanche. The Rebel
nos umn staggered and reeled, and then fell back
',cb I conlusion' leaving their dead lying against
Tho across each other in this field OF slaughter
,od The sun went down. Suddenly as the "es'
,est hills eCpsed its rays the battle carnage 0ease'
pal. the left. ,r
bsir Equally sudden, fierce charge dashed aga
oes the right wing. The suddenness oil the AZ
lon and the weight of Ewels column gave some
nicb vantage to the enemy. ReinIorcemenls how
but were promptly up' anu '"' '''' N''
ren, advance. ,.,, :
,ents through the right and gain control ol the y
cond roads. Ine iallute W WI si,,nhs. hu
now snatchng the victory from thelr ela'ens', NJ
,sad their broken columns back defeated ana com
or a on the left, made their case more despera"'