The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1884-09-03

teresting to all lovers of rural scenery;
bat paramount to these must ever be, the
deep and painful interest of battle
field which decided the fate of human IL
berty. The battle SO important in the
history of our country opened on the
morning CT July LIST, 1868. week be-
fore Lees army had crossed the Po-
tomac and penetrated the State of Penn
sylvania as far as Carlisle, foraging and
burning as they went. The Union army
had started in pursuit and the battle
which it was intended by Lees army to
take place thirty miles away, was pre-
cipitated at Gettysburg.
AT four o'clock of July list, the con-
federates under Hill broke camp in the
mountains, where they had lain since the
night of the 2Sth Of june, and advanced
on the Mummasburg road, encountering
Buford's division at Marsh creek, one of
the loveliest spots in the vicinity of
Gettysburg. lIeth's division opened fire
upon him.
In the meantime the Union troops
which had broken camp at eight o clock,
advanced on the Emmetsburg road, with
out any definite idea of the confederate
lines. Wadsworth's division with Halls
I'd battery led, accompanied by General
Reynolds in person.
Upon the first sound of artillery, he
dashed to the front, where he found Blu
fotd watching with deep anxiety from
the cupalo of The Seminary, the advance
of the confederate lines. The two Gen
erals reconnoitered the position. 1t was
decided to order up the infantry and IL
possible save tho town from capture
The Union troops now rapidly came up
and were Immediately engaged; both the
attack and defence were of the most de-
sperate character. General Reynolds fell
shot through the head. The loss of this
gallant and beloved officer was severe
blow to the troops. General Merideth
while rallying his command, was made n
prisoner, with several hundred of his men.
Up to the hour Of noon, Wadsworth's di-
vision was the only infantry engaged.
Doubleday's division arrived ON the field
at 12 o'clock. The artillery under Col.
wainwright Robeson's division nc Jched the
field at o'clock and were held in reserve
The eleventh corps under General How
ard now came up, and General Howard
being in command of the field turned
over the corps to General Shurz. Mean
while Ervel's corps were moving back
from Carlisle aud York, in order to con-
centrate with Hill and Longstreet, where
upon Ervell despatched messengers To
Early and Johnson, ordering them to the
same place.
While Heth's division was engaging
Buford on the Chambersburg road
Rhodes division unexpectedly reached
the field accompanied by Ervell and ad
yanced TO the attack. A desperate strug
gle ensued during which three of liver
sons North Carolina regiments will
their colors, were captured.
At this stage Early's division arrived
| oh thC iObu, anu iltduCcu "
the attack. The fighting along the whole
line, three miles in extent, now became
most desperate, and finally at A o'clock,
the Union troops overwhelmed by mum.
bers and out flanked on the right and
left were forced from the field, and in
great disorder retreated through the town
to the heights of Cemetery Hill.
General Hancock now reached the field,
with orders from General Mead, who was
at Taneytown, twelve miles away, to as
sumo command. lie Immediately rallied
the broken, shattered, dispirited troops,
in which he was ably assisted by Generals
Howard, Doubleday, Warren and others.
Other divisions continued to arrive until
midnight, aud the lines being established
General Hancock turned over the com
mand to General Slocum and returned to
Taneytown, where lie reported to Mead,
who decided to order up the rest of the
Army of the Potomac, and in company
with General Pleasonton and staff, reach.
ed Gettysburg at o'clock aud took up
his quarters in small house, still stand
ine upon the Taneytown road. He spent
the remainder of the night in examining
the position of the troops, and arranging
for the others as they camp up.
BY midnight the entire confederate
army had arrived upon the scene Except
Pickets division, left to gnard stores)
and their lines were formed upon Semi
nary Ridge. iiiG3Ks
The second days fighting must have
been something fearful and terrible to
witness. II began at o'clock in the af-
ternoon, Hoods division advancing to
attack Sickels' division, which lay IN the
valley In front of Round Top. Hood was
wounded soon after and General Law as
sumed command. Tho ground of this
engagement was fought over repeatedly
and when it ended the dead of both
armies lay heaped promiscuously togeLh-
er. Sherfey's farm was the scene of des-
perate struggles between the contendipg
forces. His house still standing, bears
many marks of the battle. His barn was
burnt and many bodies Of dead Union
soldiers burned in it. Near his peach
orchard General Sickels received wound
that resulted in the loss of his leg. In
an apple orchard near by CARTS brigade
of Humphries' division extended. This
apple orchard had peculiar interest for
us, for in it two Jersey boys well-known
to US, stood the death dealing storm Of
that terrible afternoon, both were wound
ed, but both still live to enjoy the peace
they helped to gain. Many gallant Of
ficers were killed or MORALLY wounded
in this engagement, and many though
stili living, bear the marks of it, and will
to their graves. Roses farm, near BY,
trfr.C nIn. q I4xa