Year: 1863

Correspondence of the New York Herald


BlvoUAc oN THE FIELD,


WEST OF GETTYSBURG. July /, 10 p. NJ.


Nearly West of Gettysburg, just in the
outskirts, near the seminary, is n large brick
cdiiice. Southwark from this runs Il piece
of woods, and the seminary stands on a
ridge which slopes to the west into little
open valley of plowed fields and meadows.
rich with grass and grain. Beyond the val
ley is ridge Of higher land, thickly wood
ed The valley runs in southw esterly
direction and at its lower extremity is n
large farm house, near which the Sth Hi
nois Cavalry was drawn up in the field, and
formed our extreme left Several farm
houses dotted this same rich little valley.
Across this valley General Reynolds line
advanced somewhat hastily, almost before
it was well formed. and in that condition
did not go far until against it heavy fire
of the rebel infantry was Immediately
thrown, and General Reynolds was in turn
driven. But his troops retired step by
step, and in excellent order. Forward with
the utmost enthusiasm pressed the rebel
line, eager now to turn Reynolds retire
mcnt into rout. Some of the rebels had
too much energy, and got too far for while
they pressed too closely on the right of the
center division, the left of the same division
was suddenly swept around, and they en-.
closed III the handsomest manner, an entire
rebel brigade, under General Archer.


General Archer and his whole staff We're
taken. About fifteen hundred of the enc
my's men thus fell into cur hands and went
to the rear Small regiments were the order
in this brigade; and when an Alabama
colonel was asked where the rest of his
regiment was, he responded, laconically,
"Gone to hell, sir"


Though the First Corps still continued to
retire. the rebel advance was broken soon
after this, and General Reynolds now pre-
pared to 90 forward in earnest. Apparently
forgetful that he had at first only gone in
to support cavalry, he was very likely to
bring on a general engagement with only
one corps. Formed as before, his line went
forward and drove the enemy across the
valley and over the ridge at the further
side but it was at great expense to us, as
the fire with which they received our fell
lows was terribly severe. From the hill
the line of skirmishers was thrown out some
distance, and General Reynolds went ont to
reconnoiter, when he received volley from
some sharpshooters posted in thcket
close at hand. His horse became unman-
ageable, wheeled and reared, and at the
sdllS lllllS u bdIl SlIuCk lll6 belGTal III ll6
back of the neck, passing downward, sew
erng the spinal column, and killing him
instantly.


His forces fought on, and succeeded in
driving the enemy before them a short dis
tance, until the rebels reached the cover of
their main body. Here the full force of the
enemy was discovered, and our men fell
back to the line of their first encounter,
and word was sent hack 70 the Secon1
Third and Eleventh Corps to come up.


Upon the fall of General Reynolds, Gen
eral Doubleday assumed command of the
First Corps and directed affairs until the
arrival of General Howard, of the Eleventh,
who relieved him. The Eleventh Corps
was the first to arrive, then the Second and
Third Corps in order.


When the reinforcements had arrived
and arrangements had been perfected, the
whole column moved forward and soon
were hotly engaged.