The National tribune., 1908-07-16

we shall have to fight like, devils t.
maintain ourselves until the arrival OF
our infantry" He had about 4,20G
mounted men with him to encounter
HITS entire corps. He would have
to fight on foot, which would
diminish by one-fourth the number he
could put on the firing line, as one
man in every four would be required
TO hold the horses. 1t is altogether
likely that to Buford is due the credit
of selecting Gettysburg as the battle
field While. Meade and Lee knew of
its strategic Importance on account of
the confluence of the 10 great roads
and one railroad, neither of them had
any information to the natural
strength of the position, and Eweil
and Early, who had passed thru the
town, did not seem to be struck with
this. since they did not mention it i'm
their reports to Lee.
The Battle Joins.
Col. Gamble in his report saws that
at O'Clock he was informed by the
officer commanding the squadron
which was on picket that the enemy
was marching on him in strong column
of infantry and artillery, with Skin
mishers deploying about three miles,
distant. This was Heth's couimn.
which had made dispositions for the
battle, as the three shots the Corporal
hred into it had given sufficient notice
OF the presence and ill-feeling of Union
troops. He sent orders for the ad-
vanced parties to fall back slowly.
fighting, upon the line which he had
formed. Heth's men advanced eau
dously, skirmishng all the way until
they struck Candles line of battle.
when fierce artillery duel opened
with two of Heths batteries concen-
trating upon the six guns commanded
by Lieut.. Calef. Maj-Gen. Heth, G..
5. a. says in his report:
ION the morning of June 90 J
ordered Brighten. Pettigrew to take
his brigade to Gettysburg. search the
town for army supplies (shoes especial
iy), and return the same DAY. On
reaching the suburbs of Gettysburg.
Gen. Pettigrew found q large force
of cavalry near the town. supported
by an infantry force. Under these
circumstances he did not deem it ad-
Visable to enter the town, and re-
turned, as directed, to Cashtown. The
result of Gen. Petugrew's observations
was reported to Lieut.-Gon Hill, who
reached Cashtown on the evening of
the Goth.
..On July I. my division, accom-
panied by Pegram's Battalion of Ar
tillery, was ordered to move at S a. m.
in the direction of Gettysburg. On
nearing Gettysburg 1t was evident that
the enemy was in the vicinity of the
town in some force.
III may not be improper to remark
that at this time-9 o'clock on the
morning of July III was ignorant
what force was at or near Geftys-
burg, and supposed it consisted of cav
airy, most probably supported by a
brigade or two of infantry
f"On reaching the summit of the
second ridge of hills west of Gettys-
burg, IL became evident that there were
infantry cavalry and artillery in and
around the town. a few shots from
Pegram's Battalion (Marye's Battery,
scattered the cavalry videts. One
of the first shells fired by Pegram NOR
tally wounded Maj.-Gen. Reynolds.
then in command OF the force at Get
tysburg.
MY division, now within mile Of
Gettysburg, was disposed as follows:
Archer's Brigade in line of battle on
the right of the turnpike; Davis's Pri-
gade On the left of the same road. also
in line Of battle; Pettigrew's Brigade
and Heth's old brigade (Col Broken
brough commanding were held in re-
serve. Archer and Davis were now
directed 10 advance, the object being
TO feel the enemy; to make a forced
reconnaissance, and determine In what
force the enemy were--wi,etier or no:
he was massing his forces on Gcttrs-
burg. Heavy columns of the enernv
We're soon encountered. Davis on the
left. advanced. driving the enemy be-
fore him and capturing his batteries
Gen. Davis was unable to hold the
position he had gained. The enemy