New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-07-03
Field Of Battle Near Gettysburg,
Penn. 4th July, 1863.
The Opening, Friday Morning.

The Opening, Friday Morning.
l must be pardoned some egotism in
what remains. IT is easiest 20 narrate
what one has seen, and undue promi-
nence may thus come to be given to
certain points, for time and space press
me more and more.
At daybreak crashing volleys woke
the few sleepers there were. A fusii-
lade ran along the line-each had felt
the other-then came cautious Skin
mishing again.
But on the right there was no cesSa-
ton, Ewelrs men were in possession OF
part of our rife pits, and sought TO
gain the remainder; Slocum must de-
fend the one part and regain the other
at every hazard They were fighting
Stonewan Jackson's men,-it might well
be desperate work.
had gone down the Baltimore pike
at night TO find a resting place. Com
ing up between four and five, heard
clearly on the right the old charging
cheer. Once, twice. three times
/ counted II. as my horse pushed his
way for less than a mile through the
! curious or coward throng that ebbed
J and flowed along the pike. Each time
a charge was made, each time the mus
kerry fire leaped out from our line
more terrific than before, and still the
} ground was held. To the left and Cen
tire firing gradually ceased. All inter-
est was concentred on this fierce con-
test on the Right; the rest Of the line
on either side was bracing itself for
! still more desperate work.
From four TO five there was heavy
| cannonading, also, from our batteries
nearest the contested points, but the
artillery fire diminished and presently
! ceased. The rebels made no reply; we
were firing at random, and 1t was a
useless waste of ammunition. A cloud
of smoke curled up from the dark
woods on the right; the musketry crash
continued with unparalleled tenacity
and vehemence, wounded men came
back over the fields, a few stragglers
were hurried out to the front, ammunl-
ton was kept conveniently near the
line.
In the fields to the left of the Balti-
more pike stood the reserve artillery
with horses harnessed to the pieces ana
ready to move on the instant. Cavalry,
too, was drawn up In detachments here
and there. Moved over already within
supporting distance of Slocum's line
stood a part of Sedgwick's corps dhe
reserve of today. ready for the emcr-
gency that seemed likely soon to de-
mand It, Occasional bullets from the
rebel front spattered against the trees
and fences. Now and then a mimic
went over with its buzzing hiss, but the
, pike was too nearly out Of range to be
! cleared of the watching throng.
General siekIes.
Through this throng, with slow
: tread, there came a file of soldiers,
! armed. but marching to the rear 1t
was a guard Of honor for one who well
! deserved it. on a stretcher, borne by
a couple Of stout privates, lay General
lSickles. but yesterday leading his corps
with all the enthusiasm and dash for
(which he has been distinguished-to-
lday with his right leg amputated, and
living there, grim and stoical. with his
cap pulled over his eyes, his hands
4 ln1 act a M a
cigar. In his mouth. For a man who
lhad justlost a leg, and whose life was
Iyet in imminent jeopardy, it was cool
indeed He was being taken to the
some city where he could get most
careful attendance; and the guard that
accompanied him showed that already
There were some apprehensions for the
Srear
There was reason for It. Less than
AN hour later orders were issued from
kPleasanton's headquarters, mile or so
/ further back on thetBaltimore pike, for
Gregg to take his cavalry force and
guard against a dash down the valley
Of Rock Creek into the rear and centre
The rebels met the preparation and
drew back to try-it soon again further
! out OF line.
The Battle on the Right.
] rode up the high hill where General
Slocums headquarters were estab-
lished; but though 1t afforded an ex-
cellent view Of most Of our positions
the fight going on was concealed BY a
mask Of woods on the distant hills.
The Rodman guns on the hill were all
manned. and the gunners were eager to
try their range, but 1t still seemed use
less. They were as likely to hit friend
as foe. in firing in the woods. Signal
officers here were In communication
with general headquarters, with How
ard on Cemetery Hill, Hancock next
him on the Right, and one or two Of
the headquarters on the Left. There
was no fear of lack OF certain COM
munication between the different por-
lions of the field, let the fortunes Of
.,yo,y thau xnynttid