The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1908-07-30
Gen. Heth wounded.


| Gen. Harry Heth, whose expedition
to obtain shoes for his division had
brought on the battle, and who had
\ CALAMITY led his men against the First
Corps, was among the officers stricken
down in the fight. His hurt rendered
him insensible during the latter part
of the engagement, and prevented a
participation in the battles of the next
two days. He frequently remarked in
after years that the failure of this ex-
petition was an illustration of lifes
disappointments, since while his division
had been torn to pieces. another divi-
sion went into Gettysburg and secured
| the coveted shoes
The First Corps Retires.
| While the Eleventh Corps, with is
| long, thin lines in the open fields, had
been struck by an overwhelming force,
and had appeared to retire in disorder,
the First Corps had punished :iiirs
| Corps so severely that there was little
| disposition on the part of the Confa:l-
crates for another rush. even when they
saw the Firss Corps sullenly retire! Ali
of HilPs men bore evidence to the
steadiness with which the First Corps
retired from the field where it had left
nearly two-thrds of its members. The
remaining one-third went back sullenly
and unwillingly. AND were ready at any
moment TO turn savagely if their pur-
suerS approached too near. Gen. A. p.
Hill admits frankly that his men had
gotten enough and were not eager for
more. He says:
Under the impression that the enc
my was entirely routed, my own two
divisions. exhausted by some six hours
hard fighting, prudence led me to lie
content with what had been gained.
and not push forward troops exhausted
and necessarily disordered, probably To
encounter fresh troops of the enemy.
These two divisions were bvouacked in
the positions won, and Anderson, who
had just come up. was also bivouacied
some two miles in rear of the battle
ground
Hancock and Howard.
Gen. w. S. Hancock, who had been
sent forward with all haste by Gen.
Meade upon hearing of the death of
Gen. Reynolds, arrived upon the field
about 3 p. m. just in time to see the
beginning of the retirement of the First
and Eleventh Corps. He also noticed
with profound admiration how SPLEEN
didly Gen. Buford handled his cavalry.
and by threatening a charge upon the
enemy's right flank helped greatly toI
check the pursuit Hancock, who had
the keen, unerring eye of a soldier for
position, saw the strength of Cemetery |
Ridge, and ordered a new line TO be |!
formed on this slope. There have been
many versions of what occurred be-
tween him and Gen. Howard at the
time of meeting, but the following
statement by Maj. e. p. Halstead. of
Doubleday's staff. is the most authori-l
tative. Maj. Halstead is still living. and
is probably the only man alive who
was present at the meeting of the two
Generals. His statement in the Gen.
tury's Battles and Leaders" is as fol-
lows:
after riding in that direction as far
as / deemed it wise or prudent, I re-
turned to where Gen. Howard sat, just
as Gen. Hancock approached at a
swinging gallop. When near Gen. How
ard, who was then alone, he saluted,
and with great animation. as If there
was no time for ceremony. said Gen.
Meade had sent him forward to take
command of the three corps Gen.
Howard replied that he was the senior.
Gen. Hancock said, Lam aware of that,
General; but l have written orders in
my pocket from Gen. Meade which
will show you If you wish to see them
Gen. Howard said, No.. / do not doubt
your word. Gen. Hancock, but You can
give no orders here while l am here
Hancock replied, Very well. Gen. How
ard, l will second any order that YOU
have to give; but Gen. Meade has also
me to select a field on which
to fight this battle in rear of Pipe
Creek Then casting one glance from
CUPS Hill to Round Top. he continued.
But | think this the strongest position
by nature upon which to fight battle
that / ever saw, and if it meets your
appreciation l will select this as the
Gen. Howard responded, Il
think 1t very strong position, Gen.
very strong position Very
well. sir; l select this as the battlefield
Gen. Hancock Immediately turned away
to rectify our lines.
There was no person present besides
myself when the conversation took place.
between Howard and Hancock. A num-
Der of years since reminded Gen. Han
cock of that fact and what had heardi