The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-05-07

from the Green Mountains, who are TO fight
their first battle, is lying in rear OF the Gene
tery. Going south, crossing the Taneytown
road, come to Ziegler's Grove, where Rob
inson's Division of the First Corps has been
keeping watch through the night, but is just
retiring to the rear of the Cemetery. The
Second Corps, under Hancock, is taking its
place, extending the line toward Little
Round Top.
Gen. Meades headquarters are in a small
house in rear of the ridge-the house of Mrs.
Leister. Gems Slocum, Howard, Hancock
and Sykes-corps commanders-are there in
consultation. Sickles is with his corps, the
Third Gen. Meade wonders that Lee has
not begun an attack, and concludes that the
Confederate army is not yet concentrated.
He has thought of taking the offensive with
the Twelfth Corps, but Gen. Warren, of the
Engineers, has examined the ground, and
does not think it advisable.
In the dooryard Signal officer is waving
his flag in response to another on Little
Round Top.
Large body Of Confederate troops moving
south" is the message received.
CONFEDERATE MOVEMENTS.
Gen. Lee, after suggesting to Longstreet
early in the morning that he should begin
him that simultaneously with the attack of
Longstreet he was to throw his forces against
Culp's Hill. Gen. Longstreet was not pleased
with Gen. Lees plan. His own troops had
not all arrived. Pickett's Division was seven
miles distant and Laws Brigade of Hoods
Division had not yet arrived. Law, how
ever, was near by; he would wait tall he
could be placed in line.
Little does Longstreet or Lee know how
precious the moments are to Meade, for with
each hours delay the Union army is grow
ing stronger.
1t is Eoon before Law arrives, and past
in the afternoon before Hoods and McLawss
Divisions are ia position.
THE THIRD CORPS.
/ rode along the line south from Ziegler's
Grove towards Mr.. Codoris's house, on the
Emmittsburg road. Around the house was
Halls Brigade of Gibbons Division of the
Second Ccrps thrown out in advance of the
Cemetery Ridge Riding through the field
south quarter of mile, brought me to
Carr's Brigade of Humphreys Division of
the Third Corps, by the house of Peter
Rogers, which stands on the west side of the
Emmittsburg road. Berdan's Sharpshooters
were in the garden, lying down behind
picket fence. A little farther aud / came to
lane leading east to the house of Abraham
Trostle SoG,h of the lane was Grahams
Brigade of Birney's Division in the fielo east
of Mr.. Sherfy's house, with Seeleys 4th u. S.
and Randolphs II. L. batteries along the
Emmittsbnrg road.
A little farther and we come to the house
of John Wentz. who was 90 years old, and
who with his wife and daughter remained
in the house. taking refuge in the cellar
during the battle. The 6Sth Pa, I'd n. III.
and 7th n. j., of Burling's Brigade, were In
the dooryard.
From the house & road leads east to the
Taneytown road, south Of which is Mr..
Sherfy's peach orchard. Thompsons Pa,
Ames's n. Y. and Harris n. J. batteries-16
guns In all-were in the orchard with the
Sd Me-. of Wards Brigade, and Sd Mich, of
De TrobriaDd's, the guns facing south. Along
the narrow road were Clark's n. T., Phillips's
5th Mass and Bigelew's 9th Mass. batteries
Is guns, pointing south towards the house
of Mr. Rose, a third of a mile distant
We have turred a right angle and are
riding east and come to the other regiments
of BurliDgs Brigade in the pasture south Of
the road. near a grove of oaks. crow ming a
rocky knoll. little farther and we come to
a wheatfie,d beyond the grove. We look
across the bearded grain, ripe for the sickle.
to a stone wall, with thick woods beyond.
Winslowis Ist n Y. battery is stationed
on the eastern border of the field, with the
18th Me, Of De Trobriand's Brigade. The
other regiments OF the brigade are in the
woods beyond the fed. where there are
great houlders. ledses, and rocky knolls
Beyond De Trobriand we come to Wards
Brigade the left of the Union line reaching
to Plum Run and the Devils Den-a heap
of great boalders. We are at the base of
Little Round Top There are no troops upon
its summit-only the Signal officers waving
their flags. 1t is just one mile from where
they stand TO the Peach Orchard, and along
the entire distance there are only the bri-
gades of Ward, De Trobriand, and part of
Burling's The line occupied by the Third
Corps is long and thin. 1t turns q right
angle always dangerous which can be
easily eniiladed. Gen SickIes sees that it
will be difficult to maintain it. Gen. Meade
does not like the position. but it is too late
to change it.
"Call on the Fifth Corps for re- enforce 4
ments," are his Instructions
Gen Lonastreet has seen that Sickles 0c-
cupies p0sitiOa easy to be assailed, and has
planted nearly 100 caDnoB on the highest
ground southwest OF IL, on Mr.. Warfeld's
farm, to crush the line at the angie by MIR.
VENTS house. McLaws is to attack at the
Peach Orchard. while Hood is to move to-
ward Little R0nnd Top.
THE BATTLE.
1t is nearly O'Clock when the C0nfeder-
ate artillery open fire. Riding TO the sum-
NIT of Little Round Top, look down upon
the scene Over Wartieid's farm lies bank
of white cloud, ont OF which come bright
flashes. Ii is LoBgetreet's artillery raining
shot and shell upon the Peach Orchard.
Another white cioud rises from the orchard
and the Is guns cast of it,
From TIE grove where Buriing's Brigade
is standing from the woods where Wards
Brigade Is stationed, come a roll and roar
like the ocean pillows breaking on granite
ledges
DE TrobriaDd's and Wards BTigades, and
WinslOw's and Smiths batteries are con-
fronting RGbertsonis, Laws, BenniDg's, SEM
mess, and AnGerson's Confederate Brigades
Union ambuiances are coming out OF the
woods and moyiag toward The Taneytown
road Staff officers are galloping over the
fields and pastures carrying orders. On the
ridge north OF Lutte Round Top are the bri-
gades of the Fifth Corps waiting for the
time when they will be called 10 sustain the
Third Corps.
Kershaw's and Wofford's Brigades are ad-
vancing from Roses house north toward the
Peach Orchard, while Barksdale is getting
ready 10 push east upon Graham. North