The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1883-09-06

est period in the history of the Uni
ted States. The war which had been
carried on for over two years had
accomplished comparatively nothing
to what was expected. Fredericks.
burg had echoed defeat to Cbancel,
lorsville and the Southern army hop
ed to prolong the echo to Gettys-
burg, where they expected to paral-
ize the North by locating the brunt
of battle within it's borders Ru-
mors Of foreign intervention became
rife and Englaud stood roady to lend
succor to the South just 30 soon as
the threatening aspect Of foreign
powers against itself abated.
Lee had evidently como to stay
He bad brought 10000 comrades
to. share the prize. They bad for
gotten, however. that they had now
turned tho aggressors in place oI
the defenders-giving tho North the
advantage they had SO long enjoyed
and 30 faithfully improved. lie fell
upon the Union army one mile west
Gettysburg July !, 1868 under Gen
Reynolds, and though they exceeded
our numbers by two to one they
were met by a bold front and every
inch disputed over Seminary Ridge
back to town, where, huddled in
narrow streets and subjected to u
raking artillery and infantry fire they
fell into confusion which terminated
in complete route. 1,200 men were
captured and the balance took u
strong position on Cemetery Hill
Just south Of tue town.
During the night the steady tramp,
tramp, of the boys brought the hap
py news Of heavy reinforcements.
Tue morning Of the second day found
both armies about equally matched,
numbering about $4,000 men each.
with fair field aud fair fight before
them. General Meade was now in
command Of the union forces.
The second days fight lasted I'M
til ten o'clock at night and resulted
in heavy losses on both sides with
ont any decided advantage for either
army.
The third days battle opened at
four o'clock in the morning and end
ed at sunset with the confederate e
army repulsed at all points, having
lost 5000 killed, $4,000 wounded
aud 5000 unwounded prisoners.
The Union loss was 1884 killed, l3,
7l3 wounded and G643 missing.
Thus ended the decisive battle OF
Gettysburg in triumph of the army
of the Potomac.
Leo at once moved his shattered
army toward Virginia, followed by
Meade as far as the Potomac which
had been filled to the brim with
heavy rains, but tho confederate
leader by skillful management kept
the nationals at bay until the night
Of July 18th, when part of his men
crossed the river on slight bridge
while the balance linked arms and
thus interlaced and steadied they
forded the river in a mass, nearly
shoulder deep, with the loss of but
three men, bleade had ordered an
attack on the morning of tho l4th,
but daylight revealed that the bird
had flown. much to the disappoint-
ment of the loyal people.
The work of burying the 5000
confederate dead was herculean
task, and owing to many being in
such an advanced state OF decompo-
sition, they were buried in slight
bitches, in the fields or gardens, or
by the roadside just where they were
found, and the visitor frequent-
ly finds human bones along the
banks OF brooklets aud in newly
ploughed fields. Everything shows
the traces OF war. The people do
not seem to have recovered that en-
terprising spirit with which they
were accredited before the war.
Some fields have not been ploughed
since the war, and scarcely a house
but what is Scared with bullets,
while some OF the old fences that
stood twenty years ago have rails
with eight and ton bullet holes thro'
them, rendering it a great field for
relic hunters. Driving through the
country you are met at every farm
house by children carrying cigar
boxes full Of grape-shot. minnie balls
and pieces of shells, tormenting you
to buy until you wish they had been