The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-07-27
The Battle Of Gettysburg.

tTh!s essay on the battle OF Gettys-
burg. written by Fitzgerald Flournoy,
age fourteen. was awarded the gold
medal offered by Ye Ode Arlington
Chapter, L. D. c.. TO pupils OF the High
Schools of Northampton County, Val
The field OF Gettysburg is not unlike
that OF Waterloo. In both great bat
ties opposing armies faced each other
from opposite heights. Nor does this
seem uniting. for each marked the
turning point in great military achieve
nents.
The town Of Gettysburg. in Pennsyl-
vania, is about ten miles east of the
South Mountain Range. The surround
ing country presents Il series OF ridges.
most OF which run parallel with South
Mountain. giving the landscape roll
ing appearance. The town is q centre
from which number OF roads radiate.
Due south OF Gettysburg is ridge four
or five miles long, and closely re-
scmbling a fish hook. The barb of tn
hook is Culp's Hill and the stem OF the
hook ending in Round Top and Little
Round Top. the military keys OF the
position, hears the general name OF
Cemetery Ridge On the west side,
nearly half mile away, rises a paral-
lei crest called Seminary Ridge, and
between Cemetery and Seminary Ridges
runs the Emmettsburg Road Such
was the ground on which fifty years
ago the contcnding armies OF North
and South faced each other for three
consecutive days. in tho greatest bat
tie OF American history, for the mas
terry OF the republic.
As the Army of Northern Virginia
advanced into Pennsylvania it moved In
three columns. y central column
Carlisle. the right flank moved on the
pike which passes through Gettysburg,
and the left on pike q few miles west.
The movements of the army We're
greatly hampered by the absence OF
the cavalry. which had been sent to
guard the mountain passes and give
notice If the Federals crossed the Poto-
mac. But being detained by high
stage OF the river, and by large Fed
cral forces between it and the Con-
federate army, the cavalry did not
reach the battlefield until the evening
of the second day. Meanwhile the Fed
eral army had crossed tho Potomac un-
known 10 Lee. and under Meade, who
succeeded Hooker was moving north
ward. On the same day Lee learned
from q scout of the nearness of the
Federal army. Foreseeing the danger
to his communications should the Fed
eral army errupt into the Cumberland
Valley. Lee determined to concentrate
east of South Mountain and prevent the
progress of the opposing army. Long
street and Hill were, therefore, order
ed to move from Chambersburg toward
Gettysburg. and Ewell was ordered to
oountermarch from York and Carlisle
toward the same point.
On tho morning OF July 1, 1863, Hill,
who was advancing along the Cham
bersburg Road came into collision with
Buford's cavalry. Thus began the bat
tie of Gettysburg. that great death
throe of the Confederacy About 10
O'Clock Reynolds came to Buford's aid
with one division, and the battle now
began in earnest. Other reinforce
ments poured into both sides. At first
success was with the Fcderals. but the
tide of battle was destined soon to
turn. Between 2 and 3 o'clock Ewell
came to the aid of Hill About 3 o'clock
general advance was ordered, and
the Fcderals were driven from the
field and back through Gettysburg in
confusion a dsorderod and panic
stricken blue sea, pursued by n victo-
rious and yelling sea Of gray. But
here i'm the moment OF victory the Con-
federatcs made fatal pause. AS tho
routed Federals poured through Get
tysburg and back upon Cemetery Ridge
thoy were quickly formed into line
and presented what seemed a formula
BILE front. but the Federal army was
really in great danger, for in their
weakened and demoraliZed condition n
determined Confederate attack could