The National tribune., 1898-03-24

| the men 10 reserve their fire On came the
/ rebels, three lines deep, in perfect order;
I till within pont-blank range, when the
order 20 fire was heard a sudden sheet
OF flame, crash, and the first line dis
appeared like wreath of mist Undis-
mayed, the second line swept on with a
cheer. Up to the rfic-pits, and over Them
and up TO the guns, bayoneting the gur.i
ners beside their pieces, they pressed
waving their flags and shouting the vic-l
tory. But the moment of their triumph
was also the moment of their destructioni
They had not seen that the guns on the
western slope of Cematery Hill enfiladed
this spot These now opened with grap.l
and canister, on the uncovered ranks. Thti
effect was awful. Nothing human couIo,l
stand such a nIurderous fire, and the line
swayed back in terror, and then crumble6i
into fragments. In an instant our men
were upon them, driving them like hero
of sheep. Whole regiments laid down their.
arms and surrendered. They seemed ap-i
palled, overwhelmed, by the frightfuf
butchery, from which even fight could not,
save them. Other charges had been made;
along the line, and calamity repulsed; anG
our cavalry, though not performing any
grand movement, came in for its share OF
the glory. Fitzpatrick, having beatens
Stuart at Hanover and repulSed the rebef
cavalry at Hunterstown, pressed forward tor
GettySbuTg-which he reached Friday fOr5-
noon-and made a sudden dash on Lees
right. The enemy, finding his SkirmiSherS
driven in, took a strong position between
two stone walls, surmounted by a rail
fence. Fitzpatrick WI, anxious to carry
this position for If he could he would BE-
able to reach Lees notwithstanding.
Gen. Farnsworth with two regiments and
a portion of third, charged it with desper-
ate fury. Leaping III, horse over the first
fence, sword in hand he was followed by
his gallant band. The space between the
fences was covered 10y fire from both
TANKS and the front, yet they dashed
through it with d shout and reached the
second fence, where Farnsworth fell,
pierced with five balls. Still on, over the
second fence, the maddened riders went,
Gin whirlpool OF shot and shell" and
pressed on through ii horrible fire. They
could not return, and dashed On-what
was left of them-for two miles, TO the
rebel rear, when they dispersed, and got
back as they could.
But, the grand effort of the day having
failed, the enemy slowly retired. No pur-
suit was attempted. Meade had no re-
serves with which to follow up his adj
vantage, and scarcely any ammunition.
Lee had attacked and failed; and now,
with one-third of his forces killed, wounded
or taken prisoners, his campaign was over
and nothing remained for him but to get
back to Virginia with his shattered army.
On this very afternoon, what different
scene was taking place on the banks OF the
Mississippi At the same hour in which
the nights around Gettysburg were rocking
to the thunder of cannon, and their slopes
were reddening with the blood OF brave
men, Grant and PembertOn were quietly
seated under a spreading oak, settling the
terms of the equalization OF Vicksburg.
While one army was being surrendered
into our hands, another was retirings
beaten and humbled. from before our brave
troops.