The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1864-02-22

morning ten. EwelI set his division In motion to
join Gen Hi, he himself going in front with
Rodes's division. At MiddietOwn Gen. E. received
voFd from Gen Hill that he was advancing TO-
wards Gettysburg, where one corps of the enemy
was reported 10 have arrived. Early was at the
same time ordered TO move towards the town di
rect from Hefdlcrsburg. johnson had encamped
the night before at or near Scotland, and would
have made the junction with the rest of the corps
at Cashtown by noon or little thereafter.
When ROdes's division arrived on the battle field
there was nothing going on save some artillery
firing. Rodes's division consisted of fre brigades
to-wii Ianiel's, Iverson's and Ramseur's North
Carolina brigades, Doles's Georgia Brigade ard
Rodes's (Old) Alabama brigade, commanded BY Col
O'Neiil. Carer's battalion Of artillery was attach
cd to this command. ROdes came into the engage
ment on the flank of the enemy, who were con-
fronting A Bill, and occupied the most command
ing point of the very ridge with artillery which
the enemy were upon. This ridge runs IN the shape
of a crescent around Gettysburg, following the
windings Of creek which Is between II and the
town. The MiddletOwn road avoids the ridge by
turn to :le left, and descent into the hollow of
the creek. Kodes formed his old brigade and that OF
Iverson into line on the top Of the ridge, and
placed DOes to the left, near he Mddict0wn road.
and separated some hundreds of yards by gap from
the others. Daniel IL line three hundred wards
or more behind Iver.on's right, to protect that
flank. kamseur was In reserve, and the 5th Ala
bana was left 10 hold the gap between O'Neill and
DOies.
After Cartcr's battalion of artillery had been en-
gagged for some half an hour with admirable effect
were ODSGkvCO
from Hn's front 10 that Of Rodes's, and to be ad-
vancing their new columns against kodes from the
town. kOdes, his dispositions having been made,
advanced his whole line. II had first 70 cross a
field six hundred yards wide and enter woods
Immediately upon entering which II became holly
engaged, ,..., ..;. -
fusedly, owing, II IL said miscOnc. ptiOn az TO
the dit ectiOn ch IL should take, and whilst con
fused became engaged and was forced back, with
Its tines broken, though reinforced by the 9Th Ala
bama. which uncovered Lawson's brigade This
brigade was at the time spoken Of as having be-
haved badly, owing 10 mistake of Gen. J.'s, who
reported TO Gen. ROdes, In the midst Of the fight
that One Of bis regiments had raised the white nag
and gone over In body 10 the enemy. The only
foundation for this report that two of his reg-
ments were almost entirely surrounded In cOnss-
quence of the giving way Of the Alabama brigade
and the concentration Of the enemy at that point,
and were all either killed or captured almost 10
man. The gallant resistance, however, which
they made may be shown by statement coming
from Gen. Kodes himself: that, riding along be-
hind where their line had been, he thought he OBJ
served a regiment lying down, rs II to escape the
Yankee fire. On going up, however, 10 force them
into the tight, he found they were ali corpses.
General Daniel, advancing, found himself op-
posed TO a very heavy force ofthe enemy, which he
charged and drove back TO q railroad cut running
In diagonal direction across his front and past his
right flank. Here he found, directly across the
cut, and two hundred aud fifty yards TO his right
aud rear, some of Gen. Hills troops, lying down,
while the enemy were firing heavily on his flank
and rear; battery. some four or hve hundred
yards OFF, near barn, being specially troublesome.
lie sent two messages 10 the officer commanding
these troops, hoping 10 get him to unite ith him,
and thus carry the field by combined attack
Once this regiment got up and moved some twenty
yards the front and again resumed its recumtent
pos,tlOn. Finally Gen. D. had tn leave tis line,
guarded by the I'd G. battalion and regiment,
under calling ifre from the enemy, and move tho
otheVthree regiments by the right flank to point
where they could cross the cut and form his lins
anew for a charge, which was most calamity exc
cuted, the enemy scarcely saving their artillery
and making no more stands until they reached
Gettysburg.
just as General ID. was preparing for this final
charge, Gen. kamseuv's brigade and the third Ala
baIna reginieRt, which by some mistake had been
separated from the rest OF the brigade Kodess AZ
the moment of advance, and SO had not paYtlcipa-
ted in the repuse which that brigade sustained,
advanced hold the line Of iversons and O'Neili's
brigades. The remnant of lvers0n's old brigade
Haisey, A. A. G. Of the brigade, whose tallanlry
and good conduct were quite remarkable, and who
assumed command Of the brigade when reformed.
The Alabama brigade also rallied and advanced.
Ramsenr made y most gallant charge, with his
usual iupetuosity and daring, and, being braveiy
seconded by the whole iise, the enemy VEN driven
back towards and Into the town. D0les,
advancing parallel with IveTson and O'Neill. but
with gap OF Eve SIX hundred yards intervening,
came up with column Of the enemy twice his
own, which was advancing out from the town.
This column marched rapidly past his right flank,
s.deavonag 70 ges into the gap between hi. and
BY . change of front, which was rapidly executed
by the right wing Of Dples, who fFsa fred vOIey
aad then charged, breaking the whole Yankee CO.
lusnn and driving II towards the town. Doies
started In pursuit, but Was checked hy the appear
ance of large columns, nearly whole cOrpe. NOV
tnR ont parallel with The nsidtenburg road from
GetfyxbuTg This last cotumn would have forced
him 10 have Eaen hack bur for the timely arrival
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