Year: 1863

TIE THIRD DAYS FIGHT AT GETTYSBURG. cor
respondent of the Richmond Sentinel furnishes the
following account of the third days fatal charge at
Gettysburg by our troops


"The most of the forenoon of the Sd of July was
CONSUMED in manouvring and getting batteries in
position, but from about 2 o'clock till night that day
will ever be remembered by both armies of the
Potomac day distinguished above all others for
unsurpassed strife and carnage. The fight at this
time opened with that ferceness and desperation
which told that both were battling desperately to
win the victory which had been so long, as it were
poisngi in the balance. Favorable information comes
from Ewell he is driving them on the left Hill
presses them in the centre, so as to well nigh make
them yield. On the extreme right LongstreeL is
gaining ground. One hill on the right the strongest
hold they have, must be carried. The undertaking
to carry it by assault is very hazardous but there
is no other way to take it. The hill is alive with
men four lines deep in support of the powerful bat
teries there. This point is the key to the position
of the Federal army. Their Notifications must be
charged and with the support of our artillery
must silence their batteries and carry their heights.


Picketts division is selected for this work. They
commence steadily and in beautiful line to march
upon the fatal spot the distanceis far to charge
with the yell and rush that generally characterize
charges. They press on through fields over fences
and bitches. The enemy can see all of our move
ments, and troops are doube-quicked up to meet
us. Our noble boys charge on through shot and
shell; their ranks melting away as they advance
under the murderous artillery fire Of the enemy.
Our artillery performs excellently. The batteries
of the enemy are almost silenced their three rear
ranks are broken and almost annihilated by our
well directed artillery fire. On we press to within
forty yards Of their breastvorks when we received
from their concealed front rank fire to mention
which almost makes the heart to Sicken. Surely
none can escape. All must perish before such
murdeTOus voley.


Not so! our men rise, many wounded from the
cloud of smoke, and press on with their ranks sadly
thinned Some reach the breastwOrks mount them
and capture many of their guns. dark Cloud of
Yankees show themselves; they have been rein
inforced with infantry and artillery. What an aw-
full moment Where are our reinfOrcements What
hand! They have either been too slow or basely
nal No help at hand we driven out of their
fortifcations and forced back by overwhelming num-
berS!


The fighting of the day over, our thoughts natu-
rally turned to the wounded and the slain many of
whom lin Picketts division, sad to reate) were left
IN the enemyS lines, the field, to anguish, per-
haps, to die, in a foreign land, with no mothers
hand to sooth the brow :" die amid the shrekS and
groans Of their dying comrades the whole scene
rendred the more ghostly and CHASTITY by the dim


light of the moon and the cries of distress the more
pteous by the utter plesSeneSs of tier condition
None but those who have wandered, moonlt
night over battle field, and heard the wailings
there, and the half fsted cry for water, really
imagine its hOrrors!"