New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-08-28
THE GETTYSBURG REUNION.

A EEMISISCENCE or THE BATTLE-THE ENEMY
FLANK ATTACK.
GETTYSBURG, PENN Aug. 26.-The great bat
tie OF the Third Corps the extreme left Thursday
afternoon the 2d Of July and the fighting OF those and
other troops the following day has been the subject
OF investigation today, and the positions OF the Union
troops at during those engagements
have been accurately and infinitely marked The Third
Corps represented in this work by Brig Gen C. X.
Graham. who commanded brigade Of the First Divisions
Brg. Gen. Carr, commander OF another brigade OF the
same division; Col Duff Of the Division staff Col Burns
OF the Excelsior Brigade, Second Division, and large
number OF regimental commanders
This affair possessed unusual interest, because OF the
Issue involved In 1t between Gen. Meade and Gen
sickles the corps commander. On the morning OF the
day on which the fight occurred the Third Corps occupied
temporary line the left extending from the
left Second Corps along the base and to the left OF
the Round Top hills with skrmsh line the Emmits-
burg road Early In the day Gen sckles received in
formation from his skirmsh line that the enemy was
moving m force his front TO our left the movement
being concealed by a intervening wooded ndge
about quarter OF q mile west OF TIE Emmhs-
burg road. Gen sckes communicated this
information 20 Gen. Meade, with suggestion for the
Modification Of his line to meet the threatened attack
Gen Meade discredted the information and disapproyed
ta nranosed modification. Later In the day further
isorrnston was received confr1natory the first
ports This communicated TO the Commanding
General and met similar reception zen, SeATs 'en
dered Gen Birney 60 push reconnaissance IN the III
recton indicated Gen Blrney AZ about noon he "a
Maine Volunteers 20 make the Reconnaissance ana al
rected gen OF his stan 10 accompany IT. Inc Iorce
49, recommended by Gen. Birney Ia person, who re-
manned on the Emmitsburg road in the vicinity OF snr
gsvs naach orchard while the troops moved forward to
the woods behind which the enemy was reported 10 DC
moving After reaching the edge OF the "oouS tney uo
post immediately met by an overwhelming body OF the
enemy and retired after feeling OF them suielenty 70
develop the fact that they were present IN force Io
eneny following them back nearly TO the EmmllsDurS
road. This about noon, OF the 20 oor, ., ,b,s
20 the general Of SSsSn Witch SaS
been asked for. which consisted IN tnroWns INC d
The Third Corps forward 10 the Emnltsburg road anu
taking up tSS erossroad that runs from the fancy
town road 10 the Emmtsburg road lntersecung the la
yer !, te d leave the left Of the line still resting at
Ponnd ION with It's right thrown forward at an angie VI
about fory-fye degrees with its former position. ana
stino in the air" The plan OF Gen. Siekles contem
Mated that the left OF the Second Corps should De SIN
nm I'M making these dispositions Brneys DIVISION
was nr'I on ~ the right And atterward Hum.
hr Division was nHTsded Out 40 far as this corps
as Concerned by O'Clock in the afternoon, at when
time artillery duel was IN 99 %
S enemys line march 10 the left at their crossing o.
Emmetsonrg he Vicinity Of tho orchard and where they
were moving heavy masses across our 'front.' an t
noio mnnght M battery and replied TO our nre put
Iovt serious effect Their first gun was nred ~ AlV
oSIooh fire brought Gen. Meade to the 'front.'
UP nted NV Gen Hunt OF the Artillery Reserve ana
Gon Warren Chief Engineer An interview "ss nou W
Cen sickIes with these officers ut which the Iormason
W H. i,ne was discussed and the ability OF Cen Sckes
y, 'hoId ~ cOnAldered Gen Meade tnen pronIseu
~ fnrcements from the Second ana Flfth CORPS
i.ldod and gave him Instructions 10 can on zen
~ he Artillery Reserve for such additional art
une y he might need. But no criticism was Nehluieu
r consnre pressed on the position occupied ,,o.
vi ,mmedlately the conclusion OF TINS lner-
& tse Rebel infantry came upon Wards Dngaeo ot .ho
sIon nivson which occupied our extreme Iell ~ tno
secoh Ponnd Top showing that the enomy had actuay
paso VI treIv around front with view OF atAek
~ aank The attack on Ward was very eeInssI anu
limo had 1t been facing as originally sauoned
u, en- change of direction brought the attack aect
| nu' W., ,he front enabling Ward 70 meet u w hi
IN inc .weptng fire For half an hour TINS
an ahmr,eade wthstood the attack In rough,
% md broken eld giving as wen as taxing senoIo
Dlows h brought up. The enemy next attacked on
M OF our line, In the peach orchard wneio u1a
INC anbo, was posted. Here the engagehehI Mas
nam ndesperste than at the base OF Round Top anu
even itb an the earDestness that convlcuon oI w.
ptty of penetrating the line oould lnipac 81, vnon
the ANAL brigade, aud rained upon them 1vt
tns storm Of muskery almost without psness
cehuAteu were met with equal earhes'nosos
put =, t"'' smaller body OF Union troopSt ,he
by the ,he position with desperation In o tno
chung 70 ~ this attack the brigade COMMANDER ~
Charles n command OF his troops. The chances Oh o
heiu anu with singular frequency Az QUO hair
Oate nneuty would advance with spirit anu ~ noa
mehl lno SnunIbers force the Union troops DhoA. 80 a
superb, troops would rally aud press IOi ~ IN
cnS ther lost ground, aud tho enomy "ouo