The National tribune., 1898-03-24

right was strongly protected by VOLTS and
CUPS Hills, very steep and difficult of
ascent, while Howard, with the Eleventh
Corps, held the center At his right
across the road, on another hill, was the
First Corps. Next to him, completing the
right, was the Twelfth Corps, under Slo-
cum. On the left OF Cemetery Hill was
Hancock's Second Corps; next to him, the
Third Corps, under Sickles-forming the
left, until the arrival in the midst of the
battle, of the Fifth Corps, under Sykes.
Thus stood the Union army on Thursday
afternoon.
In Lees army Ewell occupied the left,
Hill the center, and Longstreet the right.
He had not designed to give battle unless
attacked when he could choose his own
position, but finding himself suddenly CON
fronted by Meade, and doubtless encour-
aged by the previous days success, he
determined to try the issue in bold as
sault on our strong position. His army
was concentrated first, and had he moved
earlier to the assault, before the arrival of
the Fifth and Sixth Corps, he might, per-
haps, have carried our position. But the
"stars fought against him"
Thinking that if he could drive back our
left, he could more easily assail the higher
position Of Cemetery Hill, he directed Long
street, towards evening. to advance against
it while Hill threatened the center.
Sickles, ignorant of the intention of the
enemy, advanced his line half mile or
more, when Meade rode up to post the
Fifth Corps, which was rapidly approach
ing the field. Not liking the movement of
Sickles, he began to explain to him the
reasons, when the thunderbolt fell. The
onset of Longstreet was tremendous. First
came the crash of artillery, swelling and
rolling along the whole line; and then,
with firm and confident bearing and deaf
ening shouts, moved up the trained and
steady battalions. Sickles, fighting
bravely, was soon struck, and carried off
the field; and the whole left wing was
terribly shaken, and gradually fell back
before the desperate charges of the enemy.
Its fate was trembling in the balance,
when the heads of Sykes tired columns
were seen approaching the field. At the
welcome sight a thrilling cheer went up.
They came not a moment too soon, and
the fight ragged fiercer than ever. But
needless or the murderous discharges of
artillery that swept their ranks the enemy
still pressed the left so desperately that it
was pushed steadily back, and Meade had
to order up the wearied Corps of Sedgwicis
and part of the First Corps, to save him
self from defeat. Met with these fresh
forces, the rebels were arrested and though
refusing to abandon the struggle, could not
break our line-of battle. Hour after hour
the contest ragged with fearful slaughter on
both sides, till darkness closed over the |
field. The battle, however, was not over;
for later in the evening a sudden. I'M |
expected assault was made on our extreme |
right, and several rifle-pits were carried, |
which the enemy succeeded in holding
That night the prospect was gloomy |
enough. We had been pushed back on
both wings. though all our reserves had |!
been brought into action. The dead were !
piled everywhere-the army was weary, |
and had not been able to hold its own. |
What would the next day bring forth? was
he anxious question OF many brave |
leart. Meade, however, resolved not to