Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1910-07-09

afternoon, while the sun was pouring
downrays that were piping hot. The VIC
torious army, a red force were under
Colonel Mansfield, Of the Second
United States Infantry, made a sue
cessful attack on a blue force entrench-
ed at Granite, about six miles east OF
Gettysburg, and under the command
Of Brigadier General G. G. Vaughan,
jr., of the Virginia militia. 1t was a
case OF the regulars against the militia,
and chiefly because Of that fact the
battle was brought to a close before any
parts Of the opposing forces came
within the point Of contact.
Colonel Mansfield began the adj
vice on Granite Hill about l O'Clock
and every movement OF his force was
reported to General Vaughan's head
quarters by couriers from Troop A..
Soon a heavy infantry fire along the
front OF General Vaughan's battle
line indicated an engagement. The
First Maryland, under Colonel Little,
was on the firing line Of Colonel Mans
fields force, and made an attack by
rushes across an open field. The
regiment deployed, with Major Rock
ards battalion on the firing line,
Major Morgan's battalion as the sup
port and Major Riley's battalion as
the reserve. Coloney Little soon saw
that it would be necessary to throw
the entire regiment on the line, and
at once brought up the battalions
commanded by Major Morgan and
Major Riley. A zig-zag movement
was ordered. two companies making
a rush and dropping until the others
came up.
Colonel Little was forced to make
the rushes, and in an open field di-
rectly in front OF the enemy's en-
trenchments, because he was pro-
hibited from entering a orr field,
which would have given him a better
position. The Second United States
Infantry succeeded in enveloping the
right flank of General Vaughan's
force and could have trimmed it,
completely rolling the long line of
blue infantry men behind the railroad
~embankment. A cessation OF hostili-
ties followed this movement on the
part of the Second Infantry, but the
battle was soon resumed with heavy
losses on both sides until the recall
was sounded.
The fight opened soon after | G O'Clock,
the men having been given time in
which to cook their dinners in the field,
using the new haversack ration. Gen.
Vaughan established his headquarters
in a small grove at the intersection Of
the York pike and a road leading to
the Hunterstown road. His command
consisted of the First, Second, and
Fourth Virginia militia regiments of
infantry, Troop A, Maryland National
Guard, a battery of the Third United
States Field Artillery, the Virginia
Field Artillery, company of engineers,
and a hospital detachment. His orders
were to hold Granite Hill and prevent
an army advancing from the north
entering Gettysburg by the York pike.
General Vaughan sent the First and
Second Virginia Regiments to a natural
trench formed by a deep cut along the
Western Maryland Railroad, while the
Fourth Virginia was held in reserve.
The artillery was given a position in the
woods east of headquarters, and Troop
A was used for patrol duty.
The battle was replete with thrilling
charges and maneuyers. The decision
was given to the Reds on a flank at
tack, which would have envclOped the
entire right wing Of the Blue army.
Yesterdays battle was the final con
certed action of the present maneuvers,
and the Virginia and Maryland troops
left for home today.
Governor Mann, OF Virginia, had the
summary court trial of coIored Trooper
Carroll stopped yesterday after but two
three witnesses had given their testi-
mony. All the officers Of the First
Virginia Regiment waited on the gov
ernor Thursday night and asked him to
request that Carroll be tried by a gene
raj court-martial, instead OF by a sum-
mary court. They were afraid the man
would either get off entirely or receive
but a minor punishment. Governor
Mann at once acceded to the request Of
the officers, and it is likely hat the
papers in the case, with the recon-
mendation from General Wotherspoon,
will be forwarded to the COMMANDER Of
the department OF the east, at Cover
Island, for his action.
Carroll is charged with having drawn
his pistol on Lieut.. Ernest M. Hardy,
Of Company B, Richmond, who was
officer Of the guard in the First Regi-
nent camp last Monday evening, and
also on Corporal j. f. Truehart, of
Company A, Richmond, who was
corporal Of the guard. The colored
pleaded not guilty when ar
before the summary court yes
Virginia militiamen are en-
leavoring to make all they can out Of
he case. 1t seems that the sympathies
the regulars in camp, officers as well
Is enlisted men, are with the accused,
Who has been in the service a long time.
The Alexandra Light Infantry reach
ID this city at 1870 O'Clock this even
ng, having enjoyed their camping ex-
)erience.