The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-03-15

support of Maj Gen Heth, who was now vigorous
" engaged with the enemy About o'clock the
/ three brigadea of Lane, Scales, and Perrin, were
ordered by Maj-Gen Fender to advance and to
pass Maior,Gen Hetb's division, if it should be
/ found at halt and charge the enemy, who were
! posted on a prominent ridge between quarter
and half mile out from Gettysburg. The divis-
ion at once moved rapidly forward and soon passed
the division of Major Gen Heth, now under COM
mand of Brig Gen Pettigrew, whose men seemed
much exhausted and their ranks greatly thinned
i by the fighting through which, during some
four or five preceding hours, that division had
passed. Gen Lane, on the extreme right, was
much annoyed by heavy force of dismounted
| cavalry on his extreme right flank, which kept up
severe and continuous enfade lire.
| This so much delayed him in his advance that
he was unable to attack the enemy, except a small
force of them which he dislodged from a'skirt of
woods; the same that occupied the next day by
Pegrams battalion of artillery. Perrin, after passing
Heths division, reformed his brigade in ravine and
moved rapidly forward. Upon ascending hill in
front of this ravne the brigade received deadly fire
of musketry and artillery, posted behind temporary
breastworks and from their artillery which post
ed to the left of the road Gettysburg The brig
ade however, advanced steadily, reservng its fire. and
easily dslodging the enemy from his several positions
-enconnterng but little real opposition except from
enlade fire from the artillery the left, until it
with two hundred yards of the enemy last
sition the ridge upon which is situated the Theoog
zeal Seminary. The brigade in crossing line of fenc-
ing, subjected most whitening and deadly fire;
but it pressed gallantly forward without delaying
return the fire of the enemy Upon reaching the edge
of the grove which the crest of the ridge, Col
Perrin finding himself without support either on his
right or his left, Gen. Lane having been delayed by
the attack on his flank. and Gen. Scales having halted
to return the fire of the enemy after Gen. 3. had been
disabled from command by wound which he receiv-
ed, attacked the enemy, who were in his immediate
front, with great vigor and decided success He
now, however, subjected most damaging enflade
fire both TANKS, but quickly dividing his command,
he ordered the right regiments to change front to
the right and his two left regiments to change front to
his left and attacked most furiousy their TANKS the
enemy who were posted on the right behind stone
wall, and the left behind breastwork of rails The
enemy put to flight, and rapidly retired
through the town TO Cemetery hill.
Brig Ger Scales the left with the left of his
brigade resting upon the turnpike after passing the
division of Major Gen Heth, charged brigade of the
enemy which was then engaged the extreme left of
Major Gen Heh's division upon the opposite side of
the road which caused the enemy to fall back.
The brigade continued advance rapidly, and it
commenced to descend the hill opposite the ridge
which the enemy posted it encountered most
terrific fire of grape and shell the left flank and
grape and musketry in front, bat still it pressed for
ward at double-quck till the bottom reached,
distance OF some seventy-hve yards from the enemys
fortified position Here The fire singuarly
Every field officer either killed wounded. Brig
Gen Scales and his only Captain (Ridlck were both
disabled by severe wounds. The brigade halted for
moment return the enemy'S fire, now very severe,
and whilst halted thrown into some confusion.
Major-Gen Fender with part of his staff, and Brig
Gen Scales though suffering very much from
wound in the leg. rallied the brigade, which again
pushed on to the charge, under command of Lieut..
Colonel Gordon, 34h regiment N. c. T., driving the
enemy through and beyond the town of Gettysburg.
The troops of this division which had been into
town to gather up prisoners were now Withdrawn, and
the whole division formed in line along the ridge
opposite Tie and Cemetery Hill, the left resting
the Fairfield road. And thus ended the first days
fight Gettysburg-the most successful to the South
by far, of the three days carnival of blood
which will ever make memorable the time, the place,
and the actors.
OF the second days engagement, will speak in my
next