The Words of War
Page 17
Gen. REYNOLDS gallantly pushed that brigade to a commanding position on Seminary Hill, and endeavored to hold it until the rest of the corps could come up.
Reinforcements were, however, delayed, and our forces subsequently fell back of the locality called Seminary Hill.
About 10,000 of our men in this fight were engaged with 30,000 of the enemy.
The last position taken by the Union forces was held up to the latest dates.
Gen. REYNOLDS was killed very early in the action, while placing the brigade in position.
During Wednesday night, about seventy-five thousand of Gen. MEADE’S troops came up and took favorable positions for reopening the battle on Thursday morning, while at that period some twenty-five thousand other Union troops belonging to the Army of the Potomac were so near at hand as to be immediately available for the conflict.
The rebels had mainly concentrated their forces near Gettysburgh on Wednesday night and there was but little doubt that the great battle of yesterday would involve every available man of both armies.
The Battle of Thursday
Special Dispatch to The New York Times
Battle-Field near Gettysburgh, Penn., Via Baltimore
Friday, July 3
My brief dispatches regarding the desperate engagement of yesterday have hardly conveyed a true idea of its magnitude and character. We have now had two days’ fighting. Nearly the whole of Wednesday was thus employed by the First and Eleventh Corps, with varying success, they finally being obliged to fall back before greatly superior numbers.
This morning there were strong premonitions of an early engagement with the enemy in force, but as the day wore away no positive exhibition was made by the enemy. We began to think that perhaps there would be no immediate battle after all. We were hardly in a condition to give battle, as all our dispositions had not been made, Gen. MEADE not having arrived on the ground until 2 o’clock in the morning. The position of our forces after the fight of Wednesday was to the eastward and southward of Gettysburgh, covering the Baltimore Pike, the Taneytown and Emmttsburgh roads and still being nearly parallel with the latter. The formation of the ground on the right and centre was excellent for defensive purposes. On our extreme left the ground sloped off until the position was no higher than the enemy. The ground in front of our line was a level, open country, interposed here and there with an orchard or a very small tract of timber, generally oak, with the underbrush cut away. During the day, a portion of the troops threw up temporary breastworks as an abbattis. Gen. MEADE’S headquarters were at an old house on the Taneytown road, immediately in rear of the centre.
Our line was not regular in shape. Indeed the centre protruded out toward the enemy so as to form almost the two sides of a triangle. Before sundown Gen. MEADE’S headquarters proved to be the hottest place on the battle-held, so far as careless shelling was concerned.
Gen. HOWARD occupied, with his corps, a beautiful cemetery on a hill to the south of Gettysburgh. Cannons thundered, horses pranced, and men carelessly trampled over the remains of the dead. From this hill a beautiful view could be obtained of the valley, and also of a goodly portion of the enemy’s line of battle.
Our forces had all been concentrated on Tuesday night, save the Fifth and Sixth corps. The former arrived during the morning, and the latter soon after noon. They were all massed immediately behind our centre. Whether or not it was Gen. MEADE’S intention to attack, I cannot say, but he was hardly ready before the afternoon of yesterday. The day had become almost dull. Skirmishing was now and then brisk, and the sharpshooters in the steeples and belfries of the churches persistently blazed away at officers and artillery horses. It was by sharpshooter in a barn just opposite WADSWORTH’S Division, yesterday, that Capt. STEVENS, of the Fifth corps was killed.
The New York Times, Saturday, July 4, 1863
Gen. REYNOLDS was killed very early in the action, while placing the brigade in position. During Wednesday night, about seventy-five thousand of Gen. MEADE’S troops came up and took favorable positions for reopening the battle on Thursday morning, while at that period some twenty-five thousand other Union troops belonging to the Army of the Potomac were so near at hand as to be immediately available for the conflict.
The rebels had mainly concentrated their forces near Gettysburgh on Wednesday night, and there was but little doubt that the great battle of yesterday would involve every available man of both armies.
APPEARANCE OF CEMETARY HILL JUST PRIOR TO PICKET’S CHARGE (WAUD). LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.
The New York Times
July 6, 1863
The Great Battle of Friday
Our Special Telegrams from the Battle-Field
Near Gettysburgh, Saturday, July 4
Another great battle was fought yesterday afternoon, resulting in a magnificent success to the National arms.
At 2 o’clock P. M., LONGSTREET’S whole corps advanced from the rebel centre against our centre. The enemy’s forces were hurled upon our position by columns in mass, and also in lines of battle. Our centre was held by Gen. HANCOCK, with the reliable old Second army corps, aided by Gen. Doubleday’s division of the First corps.
The rebels first opened a terrific artillery bombardment to demoralize our men, and then moved their forces with great impetuosity upon our position. Hancock received the attack with great firmness, and after a furious battle lasting until (?) o o’clock, the enemy were driven from the field, Longstreet’s corps being almost annihilated.
The battle was a most magnificent spectacle. It was fought on an open plain, just south of Gettysburgh, with not a tree to interrupt the view. The courage of our men was perfectly sublime. At 6 P. M. what was left of the enemy retreated in utter confusion, leaving dozens of flags, and Gen. HANCOCK estimated at least five thousand killed and wounded on the field.
The battle was fought by Gen. HANCOCK with splendid valor. He won imperishable honor, and Gen. MEADE thanked him in the name of the army and the country. He was wounded in the thigh, but remained on the field.
The number of prisoners taken is estimated at 3,000, including at least two Brigadier-Generals OLMSTEAD, of Georgia, and another—both wounded.
The conduct of our veterans was perfectly magnificent. More than twenty battle flags were taken by our troops. Nearly every regiment has one. The Nineteenth Massachusetts captured four. The repulse was so disastrous to the enemy that LONGSTREET’S corps is perfectly used up. Gen GIBBON was wounded in the shoulder. Gen. Watts was wounded and remained on the field. Col. HAMMELL, of the Sixty-sixth NewYork, was wounded in the arm.
At 7 o’clock last evening, Gen MEADE ordered the Third corps, supported by the Sixth, to attack the enemy’s right, which was done, and the battle lasted until dark, when a good deal of ground had been gained.
During the day EWELL’S corps kept up a desultory attack upon SLOCUM on the right, but was repulsed.
Our cavalry is to-day playing savagely upon the enemy’s flank and rear. L. L. CROUNSE
From Another Correspondent
Gettysburgh, Friday, July 3
The experience of all the tried and veteran officers of the Army of the Potomac tells of such desperate conflict as has been in progress during this day. The cannonading of Chancellorsville, Malvern and Manassas were pastimes compared with this. At the headquarters, where I write, sixteen of the horses of Gen. MEADE’S staff officers were killed by shell. The house was completely riddled. The Chief of Staff, Gen, BUTTERFIELD, was knocked down by a fragment of caseshot. Col. DICKINSON, Assistant Adjutant-General, had the bone of his wrist pierced through by a piece of shell. Lieut. OLIVER, of Gen. BUTTERFIELD’S Staff, was struck in the head, and Capt. CARPENTER, of Gen. MEADE’S escort was wounded in the eye. While I write, the ground about me is covered thick with rebel dead, mingled with our own. Thousands of prisoners have been sent to the rear, and yet the conflict still continues.
The losses on both sides are heavy. Among our wounded officers are HANCOCK, GIBBON and a great many ot
hers whose names I feel restrained from publishing without being assured that they are positively in the list of casualties.
It is near sunset. Our troops hold the field, with many rebel prisoners in their hands. The enemy has been magnificently repulsed for three days – repulsed on all sides – most magnificently to-day. Every effort made by him since Wednesday morning to penetrate MEADE’S lines has been foiled. The final results of the action I hope to be able to give you at a later hour this evening.
S. Wilkeson
What the Historians Say
The battle at Gettysburg occurred on July 1-3, 1863 in Adams County, Pennsylvania. It was the pivotal battle in General Robert E. Lee’s Gettysburg Campaign, which lasted through June, July and August The principal commanders were Maj. Gen. George G. Meade commanding the United States forces consisting of 83,289 troops and Gen. Robert E. Lee with his Army of the Confederacy consisting of 75,054 men. The casualties were enormous on both sides, the Confederacy suffering 28,000 and the Union 23,000.
Gen. Robert E. Lee concentrated his full strength against Maj. Gen. George G. Meade’s Army of the Potomac at the crossroads county seat of Gettysburg. On July 1, Confederate forces converged on the town from west and north, driving Union defenders back through the streets to Cemetery Hill. During the night, reinforcements arrived for both sides. On July 2, Lee attempted to envelop the Federals, first striking the Union left flank at the Peach Orchard, Wheatfield, Devil’s Den, and the Round Tops with Longstreet’s and Hill’s divisions, and then attacking the Union right at Culp’s and East Cemetery Hills with Ewell’s divisions. By evening, the Federals retained Little Round Top and had repulsed most of Ewell’s men. During the morning of July 3, the Confederate infantry were driven from their last toe-hold on Culp’s Hill. In the afternoon, after a preliminary artillery bombardment, Lee attacked the Union center on Cemetery Ridge. The Pickett-Pettigrew assault (more popularly, Pickett’s Charge) momentarily pierced the Union line but was driven back with severe casualties. Stuart’s cavalry attempted to gain the Union rear but was repulsed. On July 4, Lee began withdrawing his army toward Williamsport on the Potomac River. His train of wounded stretched more than fourteen miles.
The Union victory was of major significance in reversing the forward movement of Lee’s invasion of the North.
ENTRANCE TO GETTYSBURG–SHARPSHOOTING FROM THE HOUSES (WAUD). LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.
11
Vicksburg
The Mississippi River Falls Under Federal Control
AUTHOR’S COMMENTARY
The New York Times was well represented on the battlefield. Its reporters were usually in the thick of it when the cannons roared, but it was not so on that day in July when Vicksburg fell to General U.S. Grant and the besieging United States Army and Navy. The defeat The New York Times felt that day could only be surpassed by the surrendering Confederates.
The Times war correspondent, Franc Bangs Wilkie, known for his integrity and reliability, had charge of the reportage of all the military operations in the Western Theater. He chose to be away from the army for a few days at a time when Grant’s ongoing siege had been under way for more than forty days. He left his two aides to cover events per his intructions if, indeed, Vicksburg ever fell. When Vicksburg did fall during Wilkie’s absence, the assistant assigned to carrry the dispatches and reportage to the newspaper, while enroute, was forced to switch trains at Indianapolis. As he waited at a hotel for his connecting train, he encountered two newspaper competitors and bragged openly that he could drink them both under the table. The challenge was accepted, the drinking bout began, and so did the legerdemain of the two competitors, who apparently were less concerned about drinking than about beating the competition to press.
Wilkie’s assistant awoke the next day in the care of the chambermaid. The New York Times, instead of having a first-hand report of the surrender at Vicksburg, was forced to run stories of the celebrations in such cities as Philadelphia, Boston, and Syracuse, New York.
July 4, 1863 – From the Charleston Mercury
The Administration on Johnston
The Richmond Sentinel, the organ of the Administration, says:
From Vicksburg the news is calculated to increase our solicitude. Grant has not retired as we had hoped he would; nor has General Johnston struck his blow yet. We cannot for a moment think of Vicksburg falling without an effort on the part of Johnston to relieve it. The enemy say he has less than twenty thousand men – for with that force he would strike. We are sure he has many more than twenty thousand men, and we believe he will strike. Doubtless he is surrounded with many disadvantages. But this has been the fate of all our Generals in every great battle of the war. If we had declined battle whenever the odds were against us, we would never have fought a battle. Johnston must at least try and show that the fault wasnot his—that victory was not in reach of an effort. If Vicksburg falls without a blow from him, his reputation, were it ten times what it is, would not survive it. It would be impossible to imagine Jackson, were he alive, sitting by inactive while his gallant brethren were being assailed by night and by day, and starved into capitulation; and Jacksonexample and his great success have taught our people to attach great value to daring and activity, and to place large calculation on such qualities. On the other hand, the sleeping fox catches no poultry. Let Johnston bestir himself.
The Charleston Mercury
July 9, 1863
Telegraphic News—Surrender of Vicksburg
RICHMOND, July 8 – The following despatch was received at the War office today.
JACKSON, July 7. – To Hon. J. A. Seddon, Secretary of War: Vicksburg capitulated on the 4th inst. The garrison was paroled and are to be returned to our lines, the officers retaining their side arms and personal baggage. This intelligence was brought by officers who left on Sunday, the 5th.
(Signed) J. E. JOHNSTON, General.
MAP OF VICKSBURG SHOWING THE SURROUNDING FORTIFICATIONS, BATTERIES, AND PRINCIPAL PLANTATION (TOMLINSON). LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.
JACKSON, MISS., July 7—General LORING attacked AUSTERHAUS yesterday near Edward Depot, and, after threehours hard fighting, drove him across the river. Our loss is reported to have been heavy. The enemyloss is not known.
An officer from the vicinity of Port Hudson says that General DICK TAYLOR crossed under cover of our guns at that point last Saturday. He joined his forces with GARDNER and attacked BANKS, routing him with heavy loss. GARDNER and TAYLOR are now moving to reinforce JOHNSTON.
We have nothing further in regard to the fall of Vicksburg.
JACKSON, July 7. – Vicksburg has fallen. It was surrendered on the morning of the 4th, the men being in a starving condition, and completely worn out with excessive fatigue. The terms of capitulation are that officers be allowed their side arms, horses and all private property—they and the men to be paroled immediately, and allowed to march out with all their colors flying. Immediately after the surrender GRANT sent a boat load of supplies to the famished garrison. Some of the officers have arrived here.
Later
But little more is known of the fall of Vicksburg. Officers who have come out say that had Gen. JOHNSTON reached there twelve days sooner, he could not have relieved the garrison, as they could not muster over 7,000 men for duty.
Many citizens are leaving here with their families, negros and stock. The Mississippian newspaper is packing up to leave.
JACKSON, July 8. – Everything here is in the wildest state of excitement. The citizens are flying in every direction, and the streets are filled with stock, negros, families, oxcarts and every species of conveyance. There was a terrible storm last night, with very heavy rain.
The citizens from beyond Clinton report that the enemy is burning every dwelling he passes. A fight here is looked for hourly.
NATCHEZ, July 6 – A transport, towing two barges loaded with coal, passed down this morning; also one last night. An officer on General SMITH’S staff reports that PRICE was ordered on Sunday, June 28th,
to take Helena, Ark. He moved immediately.
An extra of the Natchez Courier says: ‘A letter has beenreceived from a member of CONNOR’S Battery, dated last week, near Lake Providence, Louisiana, reporting a battle to have just occurred, in which the enemy was severely punished, with a loss of 1,500 prisoners. CONNOR’S Battery was in the fight, and met with no loss.’
A gentleman from the vicinity of Port Hudson reports that the movements there indicate that BANKS is about to raise the siege. All flats and skiffs were burned at Natchez, by order of Colonel SMITH. The river is rising. We have plenty of rainhere. The crops and weather are fine. Thermometer 91 degrees.
Latest from the Border
WINCHESTER, VA., July 7. – There has been four days’ fighting in Pennsylvania, beginning on the 1st and lasting till the 4th instant. Our men carried the immense fortifications of the enemy by assault. Our loss is estimated at 10,000. Between 3,000 and 4,000 of our wounded arrived here tonight. Generals SCALES and PENDER were among our wounded, and are here. The hills around Gettysburg are covered with the killed and wounded of the Yankee army.
The Charleston Mercury
July 14, 1863
Local Intelligence from the West
Movements of Grant and Johnston
JACKSON, July 11. – Another day has passed without any engagement. In the morning the enemy threw a force over our right, threatening to flank FEATHERSTONE, but BUFORD having been sent to reinforce him, drove the enemy back after a half hour of hard fighting. BUFORD lost sixty men, chiefly from the 7th and 8th Kentucky regiments. The enemy withdrew from our right, but in the afternoon made a demonstration upon our left and centre. DAN ADAM’S brigade repulsed them after a hard fight. Our loss today was about 200. The enemy is still fortifying.
JACKSON, July 11 – 11, p.m. – The enemy is still concentrating on our right to reach a supply of water at Pearl River. Our forces are driving them back in the centre. We have burned the houses occupied by their sharpshooters.