The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1908-08-06

of shattered buildings, dismembered
trees and splintered fences. Phantom
like lights moved about iitfully, irregu-
larry. Men with candles. lanterns and
torches were seeking comrades and
scanning the paliid faces of the coryses
for some recognition of those who had
touched elbows with them IN the morn
ing. The wounded were being gathered
into whatever shelter could be found,
the shocks of wheat furnished bedding.
and the Surgeons, even bloodier than
their patients, were straining every
nerve to relieve a little the limitless
cataclysm of human misery.
Lee Concentrating.
Lee on his part was also gathering
his forces. the following being the posi-
| lions they occupied at daybreak: Ewe1l's
entire corps was drawn up on the bat
| tlefield, with Johnson on the left resting
on Rock Creek, upon Benner's Hill;
Early in the center facing the ridge
which connects Cupl's Hill with Gene
| terry Hill: Rodes on the right at the foot
of the aforementioned hill, his main
force occupying the town of Gettysburg,
while his right formed a connection
with the Third Corps on Seminary Hill.
The two divisions of the latter corps,
which had fought on the previous day,
retained the positions that had been
| taken before sunset Fender was on
the left, above the Seminary; Heth on
the right, along the ridge; Hills Third
| Division, under Anderson, was posted
about one and a half miles in the rear.
on the Cashtown road, between Marsh
| Creek and Willoughby Run. A large
! portion of the First Corps-that is to
say, McLaws's and Hoods Divisions,
with the exception of Laws Brigade
had followed close upon Anderson along
| the same road. and had halted three
quarters of mile on the right bank of
Marsh Creek; before 4 o'clock Anderson
was proceeding toward Seminary Hill;
Hood and McLaws, after giving their
soldiers only two hours rest, had, like
Anderson, put their columns in motion
also, and were advancing toward Get
tysburg while waiting for orders assign
ing them their proper place on the bat
tlefeld. At the same time Pickett was
leaving Chambersburg, and Law the
village of New G.iilfr-d wt,~re Long.
street had sent linn the day before. We
have seen that Stuart. having at last
received his Instructions was leaving
the neighborhood of Carlisle in great
haste for the purpose of JOINING; his
chief at Gettysburg. BY 9 o'clock in
the morning the whole Confederate
army was therefore assembled around
the town, With the execution of Stuart's
Cavalry and the 5000 infantry which
Pickett and Law could bring into line
The opportunity of attacking the Fed
eral army while still divided had van
ished with the last glimmcr of daylight
on July /.
Longstreet's Advice.
Gen. Alexander in his Military Mem
oirs" says:
During the afternoon Longstrcet had
Joined Lee on Seminary Ridge, over
looking the town, and had noted the
position being taken by the enemy He
had said to Lee, We could net call the
enemy to position better suited To our
plans. We have only to file around his
left, and secure good ground between
him and his capital
ITO his surprise Lee. had answered.
If he is there tomorrow shall attack
him.
'Longstreet replied. IF he is there to-
morrow it will be because he wants you
to attack him.
Later in the afternoon Lee rode for
ward to arrange renewal of the attack
upon Cemetery Hill from the town at
daylight next morning. He held long
conference with Ewell Early and R1des,
who urged, instead. that Lonestreet
should attack the enemy's left flank. No
one of those present had 'norc than a
very vague idea of the character and
features of the enemy's line, and it is
therefore not surprising that this adj
vice. tho very plausible in view of the
success of former flank movements, was
here the worst possible"
Lee Decides to Attack.
Gen. Alexander says of Lees deci-
sion:
'Longstreet, riding ahead of his ap-
preaching troops, met Lee upon Semi
nary Ridge about dawn on July 9. Day
light disclosed the enemy in his posi-
ton overlooking the town, and it was
apparent that he was intrenched and
was offering us the privilege of taking
the offensive. Lee was far from dis
posed to decline the offer. Col Long. of
his staff, reports that he advised Lee
during the night:
AT present only two or three corps
of the enemy are up, and it seems best
to attack before they are greatly
strengthened
But, as a matter of fact 43 or the
81 Federal brigades of infantry were
upon the ground at 8 a. m, and Occu-
plying the strong position already de-
scrbed. Four of Lees 81 infantry bril-
gades were absent; four more (John-
sons Division) We're out of position east
of CUPS Hill, and the lack Of cavalry
required the use of part oe his remain
ing infantry upon each flank To protect
from surprise. When at o'clock the
arrival of Longstreet's reserve artillery
was reported, it must be admitted thatI
there was little to be hoped for from
any immediate attack then possible.
Lee, however, had decided to male
one. He had said to Hood soon after
the latter's arrival, The enemy is here.