Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1903-09-03

passing through western Maryland 10
southern Pennsylvania. He sent Hills
and Loagstreet's corps up the fertile
Cumberland valley. and 10 protect
his right moved Ewell up the east
side of the Blue Ridge through Gettys-
burg and York. The Rebels oyerran
the country at will, taking horses.
cattle. forage and supplies and levylng
forced contributions on towns that
preferred blackmail to robbery or the
torch The north was scared as never
before. II looked as il the end We're
at hand and the government must
tall Hasty leyies responded. but the
raw troops were without training or
leaders. and could oppose no barrier
TO the Confederate advance.
But Lees avenging Nemesis was At
hand, though he knew II not II
Hooker was fooled by Lee at the
Rappahannook. Lee was himself fooled
by the quick and silent advance on
his trail OF the Army Of the Potomac.
Berett OF his cayalry-for Stuart had
gone of on an unwise raid around the
Union army-Lee knew nothing Of
Hooker's movements and only heard
at a late moment through n trnsty
scout that the Federals were across
the Potomac, but few miles away,
and that he was facing new antag-
onist, Meade having succeeded Hooker
in command. Lees own forces were
widely scattered. and he was in grave
danger of being overwhelmed in de-
tail. He sent out orders at once for
all detaehments 10 concentrate nj
Gettysburg, where he would either
fight, or perhaps advance on Meade
further east. In executing these
orders, Hill came down from the
north. Ewell from the northeast, while
Longstreet advanced from the west.
While this movement was taking
place, Meade was pushing his jaded
columns on. He ordered Buford with
1900 eavalrymen to Gettysburg TO
feel the enemy, suppOsing him 20 be
In the Cumberland valley beyond.
Instead, Buiord met the advance Of
Heth's division directly west Of the
town and promptly pitched In, send
Ing back for infantry supports In order
to bold the position on Seminary Ridge
against the Confederate advance
until the main army could be brought
up. This precipitated the desperate
fight OF July LIST a battle tor which
neither side had planned or was pre-
pared. Reynolds corps soon came 10
Buiord's aid, while the Rebels were
constantly receiving accessions. The
Issue depended on which side could
assemble the strongest force first.
As successive reinforeements arrived,
the tide of battle swayed back and
forth. The Federals met with sad
loss about IL a. m. In the death Of
the brilliant Reynolds, who was shot,
i Is said, by prisoner just captured.
Though overmatched, the Unionists
held on until 3 p. m. A part OF
Towards corps had then arrived and
gone in, while a part was engaged In
Cemetery Hill TO which the
federals must retreat In case of de-
feat and where the enemy's advance
must be stayed or grave disaster
would result. just this event fol-
lowed soon after, when, the Rebels
having extended their lines 10 the
East and being superior In numbers.
the Federals TO retire with
such haste as 10 end In a disorderly |
rout. The main avenue OF escape !
lay through Gettysburg and the adj |
vance OF the enemy on the flank was
so swift that several thousand Union !
sts were trapped there and forced TO |
The rest fed to Cemetery |
Hill and took refuge in the friendly |
The Confederates held |
Gettysburg. but did not dare assail
he hill.
The day had been one Of disaster
20 the Northern cause. OF $500 men
engaged. scarcely 5000 were left in |
lighting condition The Federals had |
ost the field and had nothing to show
.or their valorous conduct save the
heavy loss inflicted on the %. 900 Con-
'ederates opposed to them. the poss-
sssion of Cemetery Hill and the time
gained tor the remaining Union forces |
o come up. Neither of the army 4
had been present. until /
ICES arrival late in the afternoon. I
Meade did not reach the field until
liter midnight. But the Federals /
we're now coming along fast and by
next morning practically all had ar
lived and been posted along the ridge
md slopes and some parts Of the line
lad been intrenched Meade took
he defensive and awaited his enemy's
movements. bnsying himself in pre-
laratlon. Lee having climbed the
,elfrv OF the seminary building on
seminary Ridge (which one can do
low as he did. and having from there
the field. arranged his plan
II battle. To Ewell he gave the task
4 turning the Union right or forcing
back from Culp's Hill Another
'ortion OF Ewel's corps was to assail
cemetery Hin, and ii possible break
he Union center But the main at
aek. the one on which Lee placed
hiei reliance. was to be made byIl
.ongsreet on the Union left. Here
ickles, who had first been stationed
etween Cemetery Ridge and Little ]
nj I. 1 ]