The National tribune., 1908-07-02

expected with the enemy, corps and all
other commanding officers win address
their troops, explaining to them briefly
| the immense issues involved in the
struggle. The enemy are on our soil:
the whole country now looks anxiously
to this army TO deliver it from the
presence of the foe; our failure to do
| so will leave us no such welcome as the
swelling of millions of hearts with pride
] and joy at our success would give to
every soldier of this army Homes,
| firesides and domestic affairs are in
volved. The army has fought well here
tofore: it is believed IL will fight more
desperately and bravely than ever il it
is addressed in fitting terms. Corps
to order the instant death of any sol
der who fails in his duty this hour
by command of Maj.-Gen. Meade:
IS. Williams, Asst AdTt-Gen."
Cavalry Seeking the Enemy.
While the infantry corps were NOV
ing noTthward a division of cavalry I'M
der that splendid commander. John Blu
ford. was thrown out well on the left
flank. 1t started from near Middlcburg
on June 20. reaching Gettysburg at noon
the next day. and from there sent out
scouts west and north to locate Lees
advancing columns. Bufords was the
army. and its leader. tried veteran.
inspired more confidence than his
younger colleagues. Gregg and Kilpat-
rick, the commanders of the other two
divisions. who had yet regulations to
make. Gen. Buford had sent Gen. Mer-
rift with the Regular Cavalry Brigade
to watch the outlet of the Hagerstown
road at Mechanicstown. Then with
Candies and Devin's Rrigades he made
a bold rush into the valley to ascertain
If any considerable portion of the enc
my was around Hagerstown and Antie-
tam He crossed the South Mountain
at Turner's Gap and descended to
Boonesboro. and then rode rapidly
north as far as Waynesboro, Pa, with
out finding any hostile force He turned
and recrossed the mountains at the
Monterey Gap, and came upon the
campfires of the enemy on the Fairfield
road. and reported TO Reynolds at En-
mitsburg. Reynolds appreciated the
strategic importance of Gettysburg, and
ordered Buford to Immediately occupy
that place and hold it. sending Oh;
scouts to locate the enemy. When Bu-
ford reached Gettysburg he learned that
brigade of the enemy had appeared
before that place. but had retired as he
came in sight. In the meantime Kill
patrick. as before stated, had pushed on
from the center toward Littlestown and
then to Hanover. where he and Stuart
ran against one another quite violently
as well as unexpectedly Gregg's Divi-
sion moved by the right flank of the
army on Westminster. covering the
country toward York and Carlisle by
reconnaissance and patrols.
The news which Gen. Buford sent to
Gen. Meade made him believe that Lee
had learned of the presence of the
Army of the Potomac, and was dtsisting
from his intentions upon Harrisburg to
look out for the formidable force adj
vant 'ng upon him. Harrisburg and
Philadelphia being no longer in danger,
Meade determined not to weary mis-
troops by still further advance, but to
prepare for the battle which he saw
was inevitable The marching had been
hard and fast under. days of blazing
heat, which tried the troops to the ut
most and was, particularly damaging to
the organizations WHICH; had, but lately
Joined the army. The rapid movements
of the armSl-ihad thrown the supply
line into disorder, and this. was, empha-
more & Ohio-fRailroad. 1t was neces-
sary 10 establish communications with
Baltimore and start a current of sup
plies from that city. first by the way of
Westminster and then by Hanover. The
marching orders which Meade issued on
the evening of June 80 were intended
to close up the corps on the center with
a view 10 establishing a strong line be-
hind Pipe Creek.
(To be continued)