The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1913-05-29
Grand Army Of the Republic
Planned During the
Eventful War
by Ccmrade.
MEMORABLE BATTLE
OF GETTYSBURG
Confederate Invasion Of the North
Which Was Resented by the
Federal Arms.

gettysburg was a notable contest
In the civil war. 1t contributed much
to the triumphant result of the con-
test. After few spurts in the be-
ginning of the war it appeared that
the confederates settled down to war
of defense and We're only offensive
when good opening presented itself
for show of dash or when necessity
compelled them to forage for supplies:
and here Lincoln's great address was
made.
Out at Bloomfield, Iowa, in the sew
entles there was a very clever and
popular old gentleman prominently
connected with the public schools of
that prominent little city. On one
occasion he was seen hurrying to the
woods and when asked concerning his
destination and the cause of his hurry,
his reply was:
i must have meat He was going
rabbit hunting, and it was thought
there was little irony in his remark,
lintimating that his salary was insult
fcient to furnish his table with this
usual commodity.
Possibly the confederates in their
invasion of Pennsylvania were driven
to desperation, in facing the demand
I've must have supplies for the com
missary,'' and this apparent depart
ure from their later usual methods O.
defensive changed to offensive was
merely a ruse to which they were
driven by necessity, and they were
more in search for feed than for a vic
| tory at arms.
On the thirtieth of June, 1863, Gen
Ieral Meade issued stirring address
to his troops and by evening of the
same day he had selected thescourse
(of Pipe creek, just beyond the West
minister hills, for his battle line and
in giving directions the following or
der was given:
Headquarters Army of the Potomac
June 30, 1S63.-The commanding gen.
eral requests that previous to the en-.
eagement soon expected with the en-.
lemy, corps and all other commanding
ofncers address their troops, explain
ing to them the immense issues in
volved in the struggle. The enemy is
now on our soil. The whole country
locks anXiously to this army to de.
liver it from the presence of the foe
Our failure to do so will leave us no
such welcome as the swelling of mil
lions of hearts with pride and joy as
cur success would bring to every sol
der of the army. Homes, firesides
and domestic affairs are involved.
The army has fought heretofore. 1t
is believed that it will fight more
desperately and bravely than ever If
lit is addressed in fitting terms.
Corps and other commanders are
authorized to order the instant death
of any soldier who fails to do his
duty at this hour.
BY command of
George G. Meade,
Major General.
s. Williams,
Assistant Adiutant General.
+
This was most inspiring address
and had its effect.
The troops were thus distributed
by General Meade for the impending
struggle: Sedgwick's sixth corps was
ordered to Manchester, in the rear of
the Big Pipe creek. and the First,
Third and Eleventh forming the ex-
IRENE left were to be taken by Cen
.eral Reynolds from Marsh creek,
along the Emmettsburg turnpike, to
Gettysburg where Buford had just
preceded him from Middlesburg: while
the center, consisting of Sykes Fifth
and Slocum's Twelfth corps, would
advance upon Two Taverns. General
Hancock was ordered to move with
the second CORPS to Taneytown. where