The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1896-06-18
The Battle of Gettysburg

eral g. f. Meade was given command of
the Army of the Potomac, succeeding
General Hooker, who though a good fight
er had not given satisfaction and was al
lowed to resign. This course he was com
PEELED to take, yet his parting from the
army was regretted among the rank and
Tile of his command who loved the man
for his dashing qualities and his patriot
as much Of a surprise, especially to this
gallant officer himself, WHO was not aware
Of the high esteem in which he was held
by the President. To the new command
er was given more authority than to any
other commander of the Army OF the Po-
tomac before him. But few changes were
made III the Corps commandels-only
euch as seemed necessary. Meade's Corps
was given to Sykes; Hancock led the 2nd :
Reynolds tie 1st; Sickles the 3rd; Sedg-
wick the 9th; Howard the llth: Slocum
The 18th. The Amy of the Potomac
numbered about 100, 900 men. To meet
this army Gen. Lee had about the same
number, with $50 guns. Lees headquar-
tens on June 18th we've near Chambers
ouie. pa, Meade's army was at Fred
elick, Nd. The old keystone State was
at the meley of Lee S soldiers, who were
living en the fat of the land and striking
terror 10 the whole North. The outlook
Was dark indeed hut by deeds of hero
ism never before displayed in the world S
history the onward march of the enemy
was stepped and Lees army thrown back
beyond the Potomac in utter rout. The
town of Gettysburg. the scene OF one Of
tie greatest battles ever fought on this
continent. lies in beautiful valley be-
tween two ridges that traverse the south
EN- pant of Pennsylvania. From the town
number Of roads and turnpikes run
the Carlisle road north; Y ork, east: Balti-
more, southeast; Taneytown, west: En-
mettsbGrg, south. The railroad enters
from tie east. West of the town is a
long range Of hills called Seminary Ridge.
South of the town is another long stretch
OF hills allied Cemetery Ridge, So called
from cemetery located on these hills
Two miles south of the cemetery is Round
Top, some three or four hundred feet
high. Nearby is another small hill called
Little Round Top. Then comes Wolf $
Hill and the last Culp Hill. In this val
icy, and On Cemetery Hill, human blood
was poured out like water on the first
second and third Of July, 1868. 1t was
on the bosom Of this peaceful valley that
The demon of wal laid low his thousands
OF NOBLE boys on those fatefu DAYS.
The First Days Battle.
zen Bu1oId's cavalry reached Gettys-
burg June 10th and remained until July
LIST, when they moved ont of the town a
mile OF more. On the morning of .Julv
LIST they were attacked by the head of
HlI's Corps and a furious engagement
began. This was the opening of the great
battle OF Gettysburg. The fst Corps was
some tour miles from Gettysburg. and
Howard with the 18th Corps were not far
behind. Knowing this Buford determined
TO hold the enemy in check until Rev.
nolds with the LIST and Howard with the
llth Corps should arrive. This he did
most CALAMITY. The troops fought brave
ly and yielded the ground by inches until
ten o clock, when Reynolds came ON the
ground with the old LIST Corps. Wads-
worth Division was the first on the field
bouhledays Division was held in reserve
on Seminary Ridge. Wadsworth's Di-
VISION was sent to the support of Buford's
Cavalry Reynolds sent aides to hurry nm
Howard with the 18th Corps with all DOS
slble speed. Wadsworth's Corps was
placed in position-Cutler's BRIGADE to
the right and the Iron Brigade to the left
OF the Cashtown road. The Union troops
were Pc sted on rising ground, while the
enemy held the valley near small stream
or river. Some of the rebel sharpshooters
mad crossed this river and taken posses
sion OF strip of woods ard were dealing
death AID destruction in the ranks of the
LIST Corps. Reynolds ordered a charge to
clear he woods, and in leading was shot
by shalpshooter and died on the field.
Doubleday turned over his division to
RaWley and came forward to take the
place OF his fallen commander and the
battle went on without moments pause.
A general charge was ordered and the
whole of Wadsworth's Division was soon
engaged at close quarters with the whole
OF Hills Corps. The Iron Brigade fell
like thunderbolt on the front and flank
of Archer's Confederate Brigade, tearing
it into fragments and sweeping its com
mander with hundreds of it's members to
the rear as prisoners. The boys in blue
fought desperately and tore the gray lines
into shreds as fast as they were formed.
Along the whole line the fighting was
hard-not man shirked his duty. They
had come to stay and too true it was for
many of the brave boys in blue. Soon the
ground was numbered with the forms of
fallen heroes. The old 1st Corps decided
that this was the hottest firing Of the war.
Tho oir coo,na1 fill &c :uo.. o.l 11