The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-07-03
GETTYsBURG's SUPREME CRISIS.

GETTYSBURG'S SUPREME CRISIS.
Today is the anniversary of the victory
of Gettysburg, wen July 3, 1863, by the
Army OF the Potomac under General
Meade, who on this day decisively repulsed
the assault of the Confederate army under
General Lee
The story of Gettysburg has been told
too often to need recital in detail, but it is
due to the fame of General Meade TO say
that q recent examination Of all the
official records and authentic testimony
concerning the battle of Gettysburg
fixes indelibly upon General Sickles. COM
mander of the Third army corps, the re-
sponsibility for the fearful and needless
loss of our army on the second day of the
battle. The two armies tumbled in each
other on the morning of July /. Lee had
turned on his heel at Harrisburg, hearing
that Meade with the Army of the Potomac
was on his track. Just beyond Gettys-
burg our advance column, composed of
the First and Eleventh corps under Gen.
eral Reynolds, struck the advance of Lee,
under Hill and Ewell. Reynolds was
killed at the opening of the action; the
FIRST corps made most gallant fight, but
was overpowered by superior numbers
and driven through Gettysburg with s
loss of 1000 men.
General Hancock, sent by Meade, ar
rived at 80 p. m. formed the remnant OF
Reynolds command on Cemetery Hill
and Culp's Hill AT 6 p. m. a portion Of
the Third corps under SicSles and the
Twelfth corps under SIocum arrived and
were posted by Hancock on the left of the
First corps, Geary's division OF the Twelfth
corps being sent by General Hancock to
the extreme left to occupy Little Round
Top. General Geary reports:
These hills regarded as of the utmost i'm
| portance, since their possession by the enemy
| would give him an opportunity OF enflading
| our entire lett wing and center with fire
| which could not fail TO dislodge US from our
| position. This line was held by the First and
Third brigsdes.
| 1t is perfectly clear from these facts that
| General Hancock's eye had taken in all
the strong points of the field, and that he
recognize ii clearly that Little Round Top
was the key 10 the position. Hancock
then rode off to report the situation TO
Meade. Early on the morning of July I'd
General Slocum was placed in command
| of our right wing. which occupied Culp's
| Hill. on the extreme right. and from there
| 10 the right center of the line at Cemetery
Hill, and was held by the Twelfth, EIev-
| enth and First corps-the latter now IN
der command of General John Newton.
I
in commsnd-reached the field about q.
m. and, by personal direction of General
| Meade. held the left cente. OF the line
along the Cemetery Ridge, facing west.
General Sickles was directed TO continue
this line and relieve Geary's division,
which was ordered 10 rejoin the Twelfth
/ corps as soon as so relieved.
The official reports of Generals Birney
and Humphreys prove that about : s. M,
| July ,. Sickles formed his line where Gen
eral Meade had instructed him 10 post it,
General Meade repeated the order 10 hold
this line TO Sickles just before noon.
| Sickles, nevertheless, as soon as Meade
rode of, deliberately di.obeyed his orders.
lifted his entire corps out of line and ad-
vanoed 10 s. position 500 yards in front
Of the position assigned 20 the Third
corps by General Meade. This movement
| by Sickles 10 new line of his own choos-
Ing heightened our line from four miles 70
five miles and half, and lief. unoccupied
Little Round Top. the key Of the position.
Al y. NJ. General Meade. 20 his con-
siernation, found that SicAles had ad-
vsnced his line further, taking = position
with his first division in front OF Little
Round Top, from the DEVILS Den 10 the
Peach Orchard, and WAS about advancing
his second division W 70 the Emmet,sburg
road. In other words. General Sickles
had, in face Of repeated orders. moved
from an assigned position in the face Of an
enemy into one which conpe.s the COM
usnder Of the army - alter his DISPOSE
tions and dangerously 20 weaken his lire
at other points, in order 70 ward oil dis
as;er courtei. To General Meade's
remark that he had moved out too far
General Sickles had just II; oined. Very
well. sir, III withdraw, then, when Long
streets artillery opened. General Meade
reioinei: Il wish to God Won could. sir,
but ven see those people DO not intend Il
let Won"
The Confederate assault caught Sickles'
corps with rs dsaks in the air and ham
mered It into fragments, besides indictins
fyichtfal loss upon the divisions Of the
Fifth corps and Second corps that were
thrown INFO the gan le!t ~ Sick.es when
he lifted his corps out OF line. Little
Round Top, which had been leIt defense
less by Sicklss' movement. was reoccupiei
in time 10 save she day. The p-omptneS,
Of General Warren and General Sykes. O
the FIfth corps. saved the battle Of Gettys
! burg bv saving the key Of the position,
Lizzie Round Ton, abandoned by General
S,ckles, FROM occupation by the enemy.
The misconduct Of S.ck.es wss iaex
cu<ah,e; &: cost Meade sewers, Thousand
} killed. ana wounded - restore his line q
! ,ae morajns. While the splendid Fhir,
/ corps was utterly wrecked. We lost @or,
than 10000 men IN this days battle, ar
: 5; east 6.afo 81 this loss Mas due - "a,
| f-'EaUoi military b,0odev, or rather
! crime, II General Stckles. For s fas les;
! tagra0' ass Il d}>o5ei.encs the In
! si{Sa government shot Admiral BynS; 10
, "a less on.pao.e behavior the Sandman