The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-07-02
OUTLOOK DARK
FOR UNION CAUSE
Men on Both Sides Keyed Up
for Death Struggle, Which
They Knew Would Come on
MorroW-S urvivors of
Those Who Fought Nov:
Comrades in Peace.
BY GENERAL DANIEL F.. SICKLES,
tSOlc surviving Union corps comma nder,
who participated In the bnttIc of


GcttysburgD
Gettysburg. Pa. July This is the
day that Reynolds fell He was great
soldier. fie was lighting on his native
soil-to defend his native State from
the invader. and no man could wish
for more fitting death. ] knew Rey.
nolds well. He was gentleman and
a soldier. brave. courteous and kindly
He was beloved by his men, which is
rhe FINAL test of competent com
nandcr.
heard or Reynoldss death just be
fore we got orders to move forwa'd d
from Emmittsburg. the region around
which had been ordered by Meade
who had assumed command of the
army OF the Potomac, to hold.
We spent the night OF the 3Oth on
the outskirts of Emmittsburg. ten
miles OF from Gettysburg. Early the
next afternoon. July l, fifty years age
to-day. received an urgent message
from General Howard
Gets Appeal for Aid.
Il am hard pressed" he said, for
Gods sake come and help me-
Immediately my corps was on the
march on a swift pace towards Gettys-
burg. Howard hnd left Emmittsburg
early that morning. and after a forced
march had arrived in Cicttysbure to
find myself. owing 10 the death of Rev
nolds. and the fact that he was the
senior general then present. in corn
mand OF the whole field He had for
tilted Cemetery Hill at once. belevin-;
that would be the centre of tho linton
line of battle. and planned to hold tn.
heights until the rest of the army
could reach the field.
1t was there that the first days fiGht-
lug occurred and the Eleventh G rp.
suffered so heavily. 1t was about II
O'clock when the lighting started anc
not long after that received Howard.
appeal 70. aid.
He was beaten in the attack. though
Cemetery Hill was not taken. a fact
think, due to my arrival late In tn,
afternoon with the first division OF my
corps. Wo got in about o'clock and
took position on the left next to Dou-
blcday, near the Emmittsburg Road
rot far from the Round Tops.
We had no lighting that day-no,
our corps. though we saw II all near
at hand and were eagerly awaiting
orders 10 get into the thick OF It, we
were we'll prspared. keyed up by the
excitement of the day and ready for the
fray, but our time had not como yet.
The next day was to give us oui
chance
Flash and Rom Everywhere.
| remember the day we'll. 1t was
cloudy and threatened rain all through
the day. Soldiers were moving In all
directions. noticeable chiefly by the
clouds OF dust. which arose at every
point OF the compass. And then there
was the flash and roar of musketry
telling us OF the tremendous struggle
which was 10 come on the morrow
That night was one OF preparation
Tho weather had cleared or somewhat
and full moon peeped through the
fast moving clouds. I camped in the
shadow OF Little Round Top. I remem-
ber standing at tho door OF my head
quarters on toward midnight It was
quite a different scene from that upon
which / looked last night. sitting on
the porch of the Rogers House here
That night nifty years ago the outlook
was black Fires burned all owe: the
field from hundred bivouacs | could
hear the calls of the pickets distinct
ly. and on both sides could see the
preparations under way for the battle
OF the morrow
Last night looked out upon the
CONTINUED on Third Pagc)