i^^%» m il!!!i!!l!l!l!!l!!ii!i!i!iil!iil!l!!i!llliBll!l!lll!i!l!!!!!!^^ TffE StorYof the ^ (BATTLE OF GET7K§BI/R(7^ A//D THE FiELD 1)ESCRIBED I As ins O// THE TlFTJETH A/>/j^n^ERSARY^ 1863 1913 ii!llliilllil!lliiiiiiii!lll!l!l!iiliiliililliiiiiiil!ii!iillill Gift J N commemoration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Battle of Gettys- burg, and for the especial benefit of its patrons who will visit the battlefield during the celebration this year, the Pennsylvania Railroad issues this booklet, containing descriptive matter, illustrations and maps. Those consulting its pages, will find a concise account of the movements of the Union and Confederate forces from the time Lee moved north- ward from Virginia to occupy the Pennsylvania valleys; the various engagements in and around Gettysburg, and a brief review of the retreat of Lee across the Poto- mac River, pursued by the victorious forces of Meade. A birds-eye map of the battlefield, on which the more important points of interest and the principal roads and avenues are indicated, will be a guide to visitors. A map of the Pennsylvania System shows its rela- tion to Gettysburg and the principal battlefields of the Army of the Potomac and the Army of Northern Vir- ginia. Illustrations of various portions of the field and the monuments thereon round out the booklet, which it is hoped will serve to impress upon the mind the historic importance of this noted battle and the field on which it was fought. The Invasion of Pennsylvania After the battle of Chancellorsville, General Robert E. Lee, Commander of the Confederate Army, in June, 1863, decided, for reasons that seemed to justify the movement, to shift the scene of war from Virginia to Pennsylvania. The mobilization was begun at once and pushed forward to the northern border with unin- terrupted activity. The movement was initiated by "Jeb" Stuart, with nine brigades of cavalry, who, by order of General Lee, slipped by the Union Army on the Rappahannock, engaged the Union cavalry, under General Pleasonton, in several fierce fights, and advanced to the lines of the Baltimore and Ohio and Western Maryland Railroads. In the meantime the corps of General Ewell, leaving Culpeper on June 10, crossed the Blue Ridge, and entered the Shenandoah Valley. By a forced march, Ewell reached Winchester on June 13, where General Milroy, with a comparatively small force, detained him until June 15, when Milroy retreated, after spiking his guns. This, and the defeat Minnesota State, Hancock Ave. 13th Massachusetts Robinson Ave., Oak Ridge of Tyler at Martinsburg, left the Cumberland Valley open to the invaders, and they hurried on to Chambers- burg, which they reached and occupied on June 22. Here Ewell divided his forces, sending Rodes' and Johnson's Divisions through the valley toward Harrisburg. Carlisle was partially sacked, and part of the division advanced as far as Kingston, thirteen miles from Harrisburg. Here word was brought that a large force of militia had been assembled at Harrisburg, and the Confederates deemed it wiser to return down the valley. Early's Division had, in the meantime, crossed the South Mountain to Emmitsburg, and thence across country to York. Gordon's Brigade met the 26th Pennsylvania Regiment, which had been posted at Gettysburg when the news of Lee's invasion had been flashed north, near Marsh Creek, a few miles south of the town. This regiment, commanded by a colonel, who so far as is known, had not taken his baptism of fire from organized troops, like many another in the army, was dismayed at the enemy's approach. Some of the men fled; many were captured, but their guns had spoken loud enough to catch the ears of the enemy on the sur- rounding territory. Early heard them at Mummasburg, ten miles away; Lee heard them at Chambersburg, twenty-five miles away. Early hurried to Gettysburg, fearing a severe engagement, and ordered Hays' Brigade thither. But when he arrived, there was nothing disquieting; only a quiet Pennsylvania village pursuing its peaceful course. So he resumed his march to York, where a large amount of property was destroyed. Intending to seize the bridge across the Susquehanna at Columbia, Early sent a detachment to Wrightsville, the western end of the bridge. But Governor Curtin had rendezvoused troops at Harrisburg and Columbia, and the Union commander at Columbia, Colonel Prick, "f'^pHli East Confederate Avenue realizing that he was not strong enough to drive back Gordon, ordered the bridge burned to prevent the Con- federates from crossing. So Gordon returned to the main body at York. In the meantime, Lee, with Longstreet's and Hill's Corps, had followed Ewell up the Cumberland Valley, and on June 30 had massed troops at Chambersburg, Fayetteville, and Greenwood, on the west side of South Mountain, and had advanced Hill's Corps to Cashtown and Mummasburg on the eastern side of the ridge, and only a few miles from Gettysburg. Early had returned from York and was holding Heidlersburg, a few miles east of Gettysburg; Rodes had marched south from Carlisle and joined Early; Johnson's Division with spoils of war had reached Greenwood, just west of the mountain ; and Stuart, with the cavalry, was pushing around north of Hanover to join Ewell's Division. 8 While this movement was being made, the Army of the Potomac had not been idle. Hooker had discovered as early as June 3 that Lee contemplated a northern invasion and had so advised the authorities at Washing- ton. On June 7, he sent Pleasonton with the cavalry to Culpeper to see if there had been a serious move of the enemy's forces. He also asked Washington for rein- forcements, but was denied by General Halleck, then in command of the army. The battle of Brandy Station, June 8, indicated to Hooker that Lee was in earnest, and he moved his troops toward the passes of the Blue Ridge, with the thought of cutting off the communication of the Confederate Army with Richmond and holding Lee within the narrow confines of the valley. Spreading out his line in a fan-shape, he moved northward, the left wing along the Blue Ridge, and the right thrown out toward Washington. Although many insisted that he follow Lee into the valley and protect the citizens whose property was being devastated. Hooker deemed it wise to follow his own plans, which looked to the defense of Washington. By this time the Confederates were well within the Cumberland Valley. On June 25, Hooker had crossed the Potomac at Edwards' Ferry, and had formed his lines south of Frederick, but on the day the commands of Longstreet and Hill occupied Chambersburg, (June 27,) General George Gordon Meade succeeded Hooker in command. With the change of commanders came a change in the plan of campaign. Meade ordered French from Harper's Ferry to Frederick, which he proposed to estab- lish as a base of operations. Buford's cavalry were moved from the passes in South Mountain to a point near Fairfield, and Kilpatrick's cavalry force advanced through Littlestown to Hanover, where they met and defeated Stuart's men. The latter turned north to Carlisle, and finding that Ewell's men had gone, returned toward Gettysburg, reaching there on July 2, to take part in the hot cavalry battle east of the town on July 3. Pushing steadily north, Meade, on June 30, had his forces centered as follows: Reynolds, with the First Corps, was at Marsh Creek, about six miles southwest of Gettysburg; Buford occupied Gettysburg; Williams, with the Twelfth Corps, was at Littlestown, ten miles southeast of Gettysburg; Howard, with the Eleventh Corps, was at Emmitsburg, four miles beyond Reynolds; Meade, with the Third Corps, under Sickles, was near Taneytown, thirteen miles south of Gettysburg; Sykes and the Fifth Corps were at Union Mills, nineteen miles distant; Sedgwick and the Sixth Corps near Manchester, twenty-five miles away ; Hancock and the Second Corps at Uniontown, also twenty-five miles from Gettysburg; and D. McM. Gregg's cavalry at Westminster, twenty- five miles south, on the Western Maryland Railroad. At Harrisburg and Columbia were forces of militia hurriedly recruited by Governor Curtin, when the South- ern invasion began. Wright Avenue, East of Round Top 10 25th Pennsylvania Emergency Regiment John Burns' House in Background This massing of Union Troops led General Lee to fix upon the little town of Gettysburg, with its hills and valleys, as the point where he would meet and, if possible, defeat Meade, instead of retreating down the valleys to Virginia. Turned from his purpose of cutting railroad and telegraph communication between the East and the West around Harrisburg, and not knowing that he had a clear way back, he pushed his entire army toward Gettys- burg, hoping to reach it and so entrench himself that Meade would be overcome. II The First Day's Fight As the day dawned on the morning of July 1, 1863, the Army of Northern Virginia, with approximately 73,500 men and 190 guns, formed a half circle around Gettysburg, directly faced on the hills to the west of the town by General Buford, with his cavalry division of two brigades, Gamble's and Devin's. To the south lay Meade, with approximately 82,000 men and 300 guns, many of them miles away. Reynolds, with the First Corps, was hurrying toward Gettysburg, and the other corps were rapidly concentrating on the town. Lee advanced Heth's Division from Cashtown directly toward the town. Buford 's skirmishers occupied the ridges to the west of Willoughby Run and soon advised their commander that the Confederates were advancing. Heth, finding Buford's skirmishers on their front, formed a line of battle, with Archer's and Davis' Brigades in front, followed by those of Pettigrew and Brockenbrough. At nine o'clock the first gun was fired and the Battle of Gettysburg had begun. The situation was a critical one for General Buford. He knew that Ewell's Corps were advancing from Heidlersburg, to the north of him, and Reynolds was not yet in Gettysburg. Sending Devin's men to form a pro- tective line against Ewell, he placed Gamble's Brigade on the hill facing Willoughby Run to meet the oncoming corps of Hill. In the absence of cavalry — the eyes of an army — the Confederate leaders did not realize that only a small body of cavalry opposed them, instead of the whole Union Army, as Lee supposed. Buford's men contested every foot of the ground, but their commander was doubtful of the result unless Reynolds came quickly to his support. 12 He climbed the tower of the Lutheran Seminary, which stood on what has since been noted as Seminary Ridge, and looked anxiously away toward the South. He was much relieved to find Wadsworth's Division already in the town, and the remainder of the First Corps within sight. Reynolds had accompanied Wadsworth's men and quickly joined Buford in his observation point. Without hesitation he advanced Cutler's Brigade to the support of Buford's troopers, and posted Hall's 2d Maine Bat- tery along the Chambersburg Pike. The 14th Brooklyn and 95th New York Regiments were thrown forward on the left, and the three veteran regiments, the 147th New York, 76th New York and the 56th Pennsylvania, on the right, beyond the road. This relieved Gamble's Brigade from the brunt of the fight, which they had been withstanding for about an hour, and they withdrew to the left of the infantry. Devin, however, was still waiting for the advance of Ewell from the north and held his position between the Chambersburg and Mummasburg Roads, his brigade consisting of the 6th and 9th New York, the 17th Penn- sylvania, and the 3d West Virginia Cavalry. Then began one of the fiercest engagements the world has ever seen. When Reynolds sent Wadsworth with three regiments to form just beyond the Chambersburg Pike, a little hill or ridge to the west shut out the view of the advance of Davis' Brigade of Heth's Division on the right flank. Before Wadsworth knew it, his line was broken on that flank and he issued orders to withdraw. The 76th New York and the 56th Pennsylvania succeeded in falling back to a piece of woods in the rear of Seminary Ridge, but the 147th New York was not so fortunate. Their colonel was shot down just as he received the order to withdraw, and the regiment was surrounded and almost cut to pieces before it could be rescued. 14 In the meantime, Hall, with his Maine Battery, had been left exposed at the pike and was forced to move back in short order, the horses on his last gun carriage being killed by the enemy while the battery was moving. The other two regiments of Cutler's Brigade, the 14th Brooklyn and the 95th New York, under command of Colonel Cutler, of the Brooklyn regiment, (Colonel Biddle of the 95th New York, having been wounded,) also fell back leisurely. By this time both forces had determined to occupy a small woods lying between Willoughby Run and Semi- nary Ridge, now known as Reynolds' Grove. Reynolds had told Doubleday, who was in command of the First Corps (having relieved Reynolds when he assumed entire command in Gettysburg) that he would hold the Cham- bersburg Pike, and expected Doubleday to hold the Fairfield Road. Lutheran Theological Seminary. The old building used as hospital 15 Buford ReynoJds 2d Maine Battery Chambersburg Pike, McPherson Ridge Appreciating the importance of getting into the woods first, Meredith's troops, popularly known as the "Iron Brigade," under the command of Colonel Morrow, of the 24th Michigan, were ordered forward on the double quick. They were filled with enthusiasm, calling out to Doubleday, as they passed him: *'If we can't hold the woods, where will you find the men that can: Archer's Brigade crossed Willoughby Run and made for the woods just as the "Iron Brigade" entered it. The fighting was bitter. Reynolds, with his staff, was viewing it from a point just on the edge of the woods nearest the town, when a bullet from one of the enemy's sharpshooters struck him in the back of the head, as he turned to watch the reserve posted between the woods and the ridge. The bullet passed clear through the skull and came out near his eye. He fell dead, almost instantly, without a word, i6 and the Union forces were without a commander. Gen- eral Doubleday, as the ranking officer, immediately took command and pushed the fighting. Davis' Brigade had pushed Cutler's men on the Union right back toward Seminary Ridge. But Mor- row's Brigade, on the Union left, turned the flank of Archer's Brigade, which was engaged with Meredith's men in the woods, and so overwhelmed them, that hundreds were killed, wounded and captured, among the latter being the Confederate General, Archer, him- self. This repulse enabled the "Iron Brigade" to drive the Confederate line back beyond Willoughby Run, and Morrow re-formed his line on the little ridge west of where the Springs Hotel now stands. The Confederates were apparently convinced that a greater force opposed them than was actually the case, for no attempt was made to drive Meredith back from his advanced position, and Doubleday was enabled to recapture the guns of Hall's Battery on the Chambersburg Pike. The right of the Union line by this time was being hotly assaulted by Davis' Brigade. General Wads- worth withdrew Cutler's Brigade to the north side of Gettysburg unknown to Doubleday, who was advancing his reserve, under Dawes, to their help. The reserve was much smaller than the Confederate force, but the latter suddenly took refuge in the deep cut of the rail- road to the west of the town, where the Union men were enabled to badly cripple them by firing from above on the helpless men many feet below. Hundreds, under the grilling fire of Dawes' men gave themselves up, while the remainder found their way as best they could through the fields to the reserve lines of the Confederates. Doubleday withdrew Meredith's Brigade from its position west of Willoughby Run and formed on Semi- nary Ridge, bringing Cutler's men from the town to rein- 17 force the line. Heth re-formed his scattered forces on the ridge west of Willoughby Run and brought up his reserves. Meanwhile, Howard, in advance of the Eleventh Corps, had reached Gettysburg, and chosen Cemetery Hill on which to make his stand. He did not advise Doubleday of his arrival, and the latter did not deem it wise to continue the aggressive fighting until he had been reinforced by Meade, whom he knew was advancing from Taneytown. But it seemed necessary to hold Gettysburg at all hazards, so that when the remainder of the First Corps, which had not been engaged in the morning, came up, Doubleday pushed his men foi'ward again to the positions they held before and re-commenced an assault on the Confederate lines, which had been reinforced by artillery that poured a devastating fire along the roads and toward the town. The Railroad Cut, beyond the Seminary i8 1 7th Peiinss Iv ani,. Buford Avenue At 11.30, Howard, who had come forward to the Seminary, reaHzed that the First Corps was hard pressed. He rushed the Eleventh Corps up on the double quick; assumed command of the left wing; turned over his Corps to Major- General Schurz, (who in turn assigned the command of his Division to General Barlow) and sent a courier to Meade to hurry forward the rest of the army. Schimmelfenig's Division was the first of the Eleventh Corps to reach the field, followed by Barlow's Division. They were ordered to extend the Union right along Seminary Ridge, while Steinwehr's Division, the last to arrive, (about 1.45 p.m.) occupied an entrenched position on Cemetery Hill. Before the formation was entirely carried out, Devin's skirmish line had discovered the approach of Early's troops from Heid- lersburg, and Rodes' from Carlisle, who converged forces at almost the same spot north of Gettysburg, beyond Oak Hill. This caused a re- arrangement of the Union lines, Doubleday holding the attack of A. P. Hill from the west, and How- ard throwing Barlow and Schimmelfenig to the north to meet Ewell's . . 24th Michigan Infantry iresh troops. Reynolds* Grove 19 Any attempt to follow the various movements of the troops during this stage of the battle is impossible within the limits of this sketch. Many changes of front were necessary to meet the Confederate advance, formed in a half circle around the Federal troops. Barlow's men, on the extreme right of the line, met the full brunt of the attack of Early and many of them were either killed or captured ; Barlow, himself, being wounded on what is now known as "'Barlow Knoll," to the north of the town. Schimmelfenig's Brigade, under the command of Colonel Von Amsburg, of the 45th New York, was pushed forward to fill up the gap between Barlow and the right wing of Doubleday's forces. But the overthrow of Barlow and the lack of support from Howard's reserve force, drove almost the entire brigade into the hands of Doles' Brigade, of Rodes' Division. In the meantime, Doubleday had thrown forward Baxter's Brigade, of Robinson's Division, to the point formed by the Mummasburg Road with the Union line on Seminary Ridge and they lay behind the stone fence, protected from the sight of Hill's men and the oncoming forces of Iverson's North Carolina Brigade of Rodes' Division. With Cutler's Brigade, which was thrown out on Iverson's right flank as he approached the town, Colonel Stone's Brigade and the artillery on Seminary Ridge in his support, Baxter's troops waited behind the fence until Iverson's men were within a few rods of them; then suddenly arose from their hiding place and poured a galling fire into the Confederate ranks. This, with the cross fire from Cutler's men and Stone's Brigade, threw Rodes' Division into disorder, and it fell back. But Early was driving Barlow's and Schimmelfenig's men back into the town, and the Union forces were overpowered. Doubleday made a last determined stand near the railroad cut late in the afternoon, but owing to lack of 20 support from Howard's men and the absence of some of his own troops on distant parts of the field, was forced to fall back on Seminary Ridge and take refuge inside the temporary entrenchment thrown up near the Seminary in the morning. Skirmishing and contesting every foot of the way, the Federal forces were finally driven back through the town in the afternoon. As they fought their way through the town, urged by the terrified inhabitants to protect them from the Confederates, hundreds of shots were fired directly up and down streets. It was only when the remnants of the First and Eleventh Corps took refuge behind Steinwehr's entrenchments on Cemetery Hill, that the victorious Confederates ceased the pursuit and formed a new line for the night, centering on the town of Gettysburg. By this time, General Hancock, sent by General Meade from Taneytown, had arrived to take command of the forces in and around Gettysburg. East Cemetery Hill Hancock Equestrian Statue 21 A survey of the field convinced him that Cemetery Hill and the ridge lying directly to the south of it was the best defensive point for the formation of the Union line. He also realized that the entire strength of the Army of the Potomac would be needed to successfully repulse Lee's forces, and so advised General Meade by courier. When the First Corps arrived at Cemetery Hill, Hancock ordered a part of it to occupy Culp's Hill, lying to the east of the cemetery; Wadsworth's Division took this position and threw up entrenchments. By dusk Sickles' Third Corps and Slocum's Twelfth Corps had arrived; and Hancock's Corps, the Second, were near at hand. Stannard's Second Vermont Bri- gade, which was to play so large a part in the battles of July 2 and 3, also came up and reported to General Doubleday. These forces made a long line of battle extending south along Cemetery Ridge. On Slocum's arrival, Hancock relinquished command of the field to him and rode to meet Meade, who was advancing from Taneytown. The Confederates were still formed in a semi-circle around the Union line. They had been reinforced by Longstreet's Corps in its entirety, with the exception of Pickett's Division, which was guarding the wagon trains at Chambersburg. Lee had come on the field about three o'clock in the afternoon and, after looking over the situation, had recommended — not ordered, so most authorities agree — Ewell to follow up his victory of the afternoon. But Ewell was unfit for further effort and so night fell on both armies waiting for the morrow. 22 The Second Day's Fight There was but little rest for either army in the hours of darkness between July 1 and 2. Lee, finding it im- possible to resume active operations during the night, spent the time in strengthening his lines, which he formed about a mile away from those of Meade. Longstreet, with McLaws' and Hood's Divisions of the First Corps, had arrived on the field about four o'clock that afternoon, July 1, and he now occupied the extreme right of the Confederate Army. Pickett's Division, of his corps, had not yet crossed the South Mountain. To the north of Longstreet lay A. P. Hill's Third Corps, consisting of Anderson's, Heth's and Pender's Divisions, which had been the mainstay of the first day's fight against the First Corps of the Union Army under Reynolds and later under Doubleday. Forming a right angle to Hill's line, extending through the town of Gettysburg along West and East Middle Streets, and curving around the east end of the town in the low land lying at the base of East Cemetery and Culp's Hill, was Ewell and the Second Corps, con- sisting of Early's, Rodes' and Johnson's Divisions. On Benner's Hill, directly facing Howard's position on East Cemetery Hill, a strong detachment of artillery was posted which covered the valley of Rock Creek and the eastern slope of Culp's Hill. Each line of the Confederate position was strongly protected by artillery placed on the many eminences overlooking the Union lines. General Meade arrived on the field about one o'clock in the morning and established his headquarters in the Bishop house on the Taneytown Road just south of the cemetery. Without delay he inspected the position established by Hancock and approved it. 24 He at once took steps to present a still stronger front to Lee by disposing of his entire army along the top of Cemetery Ridge from Gulp's Hill and Cemetery Hill to the Round Tops. The Twelfth Corps occupied the south- ern ridges of Culp's Hill, supporting Wadsworth's Division of the First Corps and facing Johnson's Division of Ewell's Corps. Howard and the Eleventh Corps occupied Cemetery Hill, with Early and Rodes lying to the north of them in Gettysburg. Beyond on the ridge was Hancock's Second Corps, while the Third Corps, under Sickles, was formed in the low land between the end of Cemetery Ridge and Little Round Top. Had Lee attacked the Union lines at daybreak he would not have found as strong a resistance as he did later in the day, for two brigades of the Third Corps were still marching up the Emmitsburg Road, and the Fifth and Sixth Corps were far away; the former coming from the direction of Hanover, whilst the latter advanced up the Taneytown Road in the rear of the Round Tops. Round Top from West Confederate Avenue 25 Irish Brigade Sicilies Ave. near tlie Loop When Sickles took his position he considered it untenable because it was on low ground. The Emmitsburg Road, on higher ground, presented an excellent place for the Confederate artillery, and the land between, full of rocks and trees, afforded ample protection for an advancing force. On his request to Meade, General Hunt, Chief of Artillery, was sent to Sickles, and the two officers went over the situation. After an examination, of the proposed lines. Sickles moved his command for- ward to occupy the Emmitsburg road, with its center in the "Peach Orchard." Humphreys' Division was faced along the road from the corner of the orchard toward the right wing of the army. Birney's Division was formed on the other angle, his left wing extending toward the Round Tops. The "Peach Orchard" was about a mile from Little Round Top. Meade, on learning of this change of the line, was not pleased with it, because the Confederate artillery could enfilade both tangents from the angle, and he felt that the position was not so good as the one nearer the established Union line. But Sickles thought he had chosen the wisest 17th Maine, wheatiieid 26 post and was determined to hold it. Skirmishing occurred all along the line during the morning hours, but no serious engagement. Meade called his corps commanders into council during the morning. It was then decided that although Sickles had disregarded orders, it was too late to change, and the new line must be held to meet the Confederate attack which seemed certain. Sykes, with the Fifth Corps, arrived about one o'clock and were at once posted on the little hills to the south of and back of Sickles' line and near the foot of the Round Tops. Sedgwick, with the Sixth Corps, did not arrive from his thirty-mile march until about three o'clock. His weary men were held as a reserve back on the Taney town Road. In the meantime Buford and the cavalry had been sent back to Westminster to guard the wagon trains, and Kilpatrick and his troopers to Hunterstown to harass the left flank of the Confederate line. West Confederate Avenue 27 Thus the positions were held until half past three in the afternoon, when Lee ordered the first concerted attack on the Union lines. As the Confederate chieftain proposed to strike the Federals at different points, one after another, or in military parlance, en echelon, the attack was begun by Longstreet on the advance of Sickles' line. A flanking force from Hood's Division was sent against Ward's Brigade as it lay on the line nearest the Round Tops, his left resting on Devil's Den, The assault was fierce, and soon extended all along the line to the Peach Orchard, where the brigades under Graham and De Trobriand fought like tigers. Humphreys' men, formed along the Emmitsburg Road, were not immediately engaged, but soon faced an assault by Barksdale's Mississippians, and Sickles hur- riedly sent for aid to Sykes. But he was giving his troops coffee and did not respond as promptly as ex- pected. Within a short time Sickles had received a wound which resulted in the loss of a leg, and his corps, now under Birney, had been forced back all along the line. Kershaw had pushed Ward back almost to Little Round Top, but could not go further for Sykes' men occupied the wooded hills on his right. By this time they were ready for action and soon the fighting became general amongst the rocks and trees at the foot of Little Round Top. In the meantime. General Warren, the Engineer Officer of the army, had gone up on Little Round Top to watch the fight. He saw that this eminence was the objective point of the Confederate attack, and at once hurried to the lines of the Fifth Corps and, on his own responsibility, detached Vincent's Brigade and ordered it to occupy Little Round Top. Cannon were hauled up the steep slopes, and en- trenchments were hurriedly thrown up. On came the Confederate forces, clear to the foot of the eminence, where Vincent's men met them in a bayonet charge. 28 44th New York, on Little Round Top General Barnes sent a battery and the 140th New York to their aid and formed the balance of his division to present a firm front to the charge. Time after time the Confederates stormed the Union position, only to be driven back. The story of the fight of Chamberlain's 20th Maine at the stone wall near the foot of Little Round Top, when a third of the command were lost and all the ammunition expended, is too well known to need repeat- ing. At the "Peach Orchard," Graham was still holding on in the face of a fire from two sides, Kershaw on the west, and Barksdale on the north. He struggled against the tremendous odds of the conflict, but was finally over- come by the Mississippians under Barksdale, who captured the position, but lost their General, who was mortally wounded in the final charge. Soon the fighting extended to the "Wheatfield," where De Trobriand, for sometime, held back the rushing 29 Confederate charges. Back and forth over this field both sides fought at close quarters, until at nightfall almost every foot of it was covered by a dead body. Meade had ordered Hancock's men to the rescue of Sickles' hard-pressed forces, and Caldwell's Division formed in front of Birney's men and drove the Confed- erates back to the stone wall surrounding the "Wheat- field." A final assault by Crawford and the Pennsylvania Reserves drove the Confederate line back from the ravine at the foot of Little Round Top, and evening found this coveted hill still in the possession of the Union forces. The Confederates, however, pushed around to Big Round Top and occupied it, throwing up entrenchments. But no effort was made to further molest the Union line, except that the recesses of " Devil's Den" were occupied by Confederate sharpshooters, who, until dislodged, played havoc with the troops on Little Round Top. The Devil's Den 30 View between the Round Tops The Vincent Statue — 83d Pennsylvania Shortly after Longstreet made his attack on Sickles, Hill's corps, preceded by R. H. Anderson's Division, assaulted the Second Corps in front of Webb's Brigade and succeeded in temporarily breaking the line and cap- turing a Union battery. But Doubleday, with part of the First Corps, and a portion of Hancock's troops drove them back. Meade was startled at the tremendous assault upon his left wing, and fearing annihilation of that portion of his line, withdrew nearly all Slocum's Corps from Culp's Hill and led it in person toward the Round Tops and the heat of the battle. 31 Only one small brigade under General Greene and the remnant of Wadsworth's Division, which had suffered so terribly on the first day, remained to hold the en- trenchments on Gulp's Hill against Ewell's entire Corps. No sooner had the sound of the guns of Hill's artil- lery on the center died away, when Johnson assailed the little force holding the entrenchments which Geary had thrown up on the south side of Gulp's Hill. Despite the grilling fire from the artillery on the hill, which threw one brigade back in disorder after the death of its com- mander, by nine in the evening the Confederates had taken possession of the lower entrenchments. By this time Sedgwick's Sixth Corps had come on the scene and were aiding as a reserve all along the line. Their outposts had several skirmishes with scattered bodies of Johnson's men, who were further harried by Gregg's cavalry to the east. To supplement this attack on Gulp's Hill, Early's Division was ordered to take East Cemetery Hill by storm, supported by four batteries of artillery on Ben- ner's Hill, and Rodes' and Pender's Divisions on the right flank. Coming through the ravine between Gulp's HjU and Cemetery Hill, Early's men first met Von Gilsa's Brigade which was posted behind a stone fence at the foot of the hill. Ames' Brigade was still further around the foot of the hill, enclosing Ricketts' and Wiedrick's batteries on the higher ground above. Stewart's and Reynolds' batteries were also brought to bear on the enemy. On a shoulder of the west side of Gulp's Hill, now known as Stevens Knoll, was the Fifth Maine Battery, which poured a galling fire into the flank of Early's- advance. The guns on the side of Cemetery Hill also added their share of the storm of bullets rained upon the Con- federate ranks, but owing to the conformation of the ground, they could not be sufficiently depressed to rake the storming force. 32 Von Gilsa's men fought bravely and so did Ames' troops, but the onslaught was too fierce. They were gradually forced back amongst the guns on the crest of the hill, Hays' men driving them like sheep before them. Wiedrick's battery was captured, and two of Ricketts' guns were spiked. But still the Union lines fought on in the now thick darkness. Lacking guns, the artillerymen fought with hand-spikes, rammers, staves, and even with stone in defense of the cannon. Stevens' battery poured in a fire of double canister on the left flank of the Confederates and the 33d Massachusetts raked them on the other side. The slaughter was terrific. Heavy smoke darkened the night air, fitfully lighted by bright flashes from the cannon belching solid shot and canister. But Hays' and Gordon's men could not win the fight alone, and no support came from the other quarter where Rodes was marching from Gettysburg to attack Howard in the rear. Soon the coming of infantry, sent by Hancock in aid of the force on Cemetery Hill, materially altered the situation. The Confederates slowly withdrew from the position they had gained at a great cost in human life. As they retreated, their ranks were further thinned by the Union guns, and at midnight only a small percentage of those who had come out of the ravine to attack Cemetery Hill reported to their lines in the town. This assault and the recapture of the position on Cemetery Hill ended the fighting on July 2, and both armies settled down to rest for the struggle of the fol- lowing day. The lines had changed but little, although the Con- federates had gained a lodgment on Big Round Top and in Devil's Den on the left of the Union Line, and held a part of the entrenchments of the Twelfth Corps on Gulp's Hill, covering Baltimore Pike on the right of the line. 34 Lee had engaged but seventeen out of his thirty- seven brigades of infantry actively in the two days' fighting. With the arrival of Pickett from Chambers- burg, with a full division that had seen but little active service in the campaign, and of Stuart's cavalry from Carlisle, Lee felt that he was in a good plight. Pickett's arrival had been made without interference, but Kilpatrick, resting with his cavalry near Abbotts- town, had met Stuart in the rear of the Confederate line during the afternoon of July 2 and had engaged him until darkness fell, when he was compelled to withdraw to Two Taverns, just south of Gettysburg. The return of Geary's Division to its old position on the south side of Gulp's Hill about midnight changed the aspect of affairs. Geary was surprised to find Johnson in possession of the entrenchments he had thrown up and determined to contest for them as soon as it was light enough to see. Slocum Avenue, Gulp's HUl 35 The Third Day's Fight In the meantime Meade and his generals had been busy strengthening the entrenchments on Cemetery Hill and Ridge with a view to the dislodgment of Ewell's men from their position in the rear of the Union line. Artillery had been placed in commanding positions, and the arrival of dawn was eagerly awaited. Ewell, on the other hand, realized that his position on Gulp's Hill was an important one and sent Daniel's and O'Neal's Brigades of Rodes' Division to reinforce Johnson. As early as objects could be distinguished in the grey dawn of the morning of July 3, Union artillery commenced a furious fire on the Confederates amongst the trees, rocks and low earthworks on Culp's Hill. Johnson had no artillery with him, its use being impracticable on the rough surface of the hill, and he could not, therefore, reply in kind. But the shelling was too hot to passively stand, so he determined to attempt a charge against the Union lines. With the "Stonewall Brigade" in advance, his men broke from cover and rushed toward Geary's men with great enthusiasm, and for four hours a close and severe struggle took place amongst the bushes and rocks. The arrival of Ruger's Division of Slocum's com- mand on the left flank of the Confederate line added further complications to the situation. With additional aid of small detachments from the main line, Johnson was being rapidly forced back. About eleven o'clock, he was driven from the Hill, and re-forming his line on Rock Creek to the north of the town, remained there until nightfall. Lee's position at this time was a peculiar one. He had assaulted both flanks of the Union line and had 36 Spangler's Spring, foot of Gulp's Hill captured portions of the entrenchments thrown up by the Federals. But, through lack of support, he was unable to hold these vantage points. The line of the Union troops had been regained except on the left flank, where, however, Meade's men had possession of the ground originally selected for them by the commander- in-chief. To the eyes of the Confederate commander, the center of the Union line was now the most favorable point of attack. If he could drive away the forces entrenched in front of it and gain possession of the position, he would cut off Meade's chances of falling back toward Washington, and, at the same time, cover his own retreat to Virginia. Longstreet still held a firm front on the Union left, with Anderson's Georgians guarding the Emmitsburg Road, and the balance of Hood's Division facing Sykes' 37 Fifth Corps on and around the Round Tops. McLaw's Division occupied the ground between the Wheatfield and the Emmitsburg Road. Lee rode to this part of the battlefield and conferred with the division and brigade commanders. He sug- gested that as Woffard, with his Georgians, had been able to obtain a foothold on the ridge now occupied by the Union troops the day before, he should try it again. But Woffard told him this was impossible ; conditions were different and the Union troops were now strongly en- trenched. Sykes Avenue, Little Round Top 38 5th New Hampshire Infantry Sickles Ave. 2d Rhode Island Infantry Sedgwick Avenue This left Lee but two courses to pursue; either to retreat without another assault, or throw Pickett's Division, the flower of the Virginia forces, which had not been previously engaged, on Meade's center, with assistance from supporting forces on either flank. It is said that this latter move did not meet with the full approval of all of Lee's corps commanders, but it seemed to the commander-in-chief to be the only hope for the fortunes of the South. The next two hours were spent in quiet by the two armies. Lee was posting his main artillery force along the crest of Seminary Ridge whence they could pour a hail of devastating fire into the Union lines and by break- ing them, prepare the way for the great charge. Pickett formed in the rear of the Confederate artil- lery line west of the Emmitsburg Road behind a grove of trees, known as "Spangler's Woods," which hid his force from view. Heth's Division, (now under Pettigrew,) which though decimated the day before, was in fine spirit, was ordered to support Pickett's left and engage in close fighting. Wilcox's Brigade who had also suffered considerably on July 2, was ordered to support the right flank; Wright's 39 Brigade the rear, and Pender's Division was to advance on the left of Pettigrew. One o'clock saw the preparations for the assault all completed, and Lee gave the word for the artillery to commence firing. Following a signal gun, one hundred and fifteen Confederate cannon opened on the position occupied by the First, Second and Third Corps and the Eleventh Corps. General Hunt, Chief of Artillery of the Union Army, at once massed every gun he had available on the crest of Cemetery Ridge, and within a few minutes the roar of eighty Federal guns was replying to that of the one hundred and fifteen Confederate pieces. This continued for two hours and the batteries on both sides suffered terribly. Caissons were blown up and guns put out of commission by the death of the men working them. Not a move was made by the infantry or cavalry of either army during this cannonade, save that necessary by Lee's men to get into position for the charge. At three o'clock General Hunt ordered the Union batteries to cease firing. The purpose was to save ammunition and allow the guns to cool off. It was foreseen that Lee had determined to make a final coup, and the Federal commander needed capable guns to help meet it. The cessation of the Union fire misled the Confed- erate line. Pickett thought the Confederate cannonade had cleared the way for a successful charge and he ordered his men to leave the woods where they were concealed, and move forward. It was a tremendous task ; the most courageous movement ever made by an organized body of troops in warfare. The woods at the foot of Seminary Hill at the point from which Pickett's men came into the open, lay about a mile from the crest of Cemetery Ridge. This space was almost entirely exposed to the fire from the Union batteries. 40 Lee's idea was that Pickett, supported on either flank, would enter the Union line like a wedge and split the Federal forces. A charge by Longstreet on the Round Tops, and by Ewell's men on Gulp's Hill would complete the assault. But Ewell's men had been so badly repulsed that they had lost the fighting spirit, and Kilpatrick, with his cavalry, was detaining Longstreet to the south of the Round Tops. So the concerted action was not made, and Pickett and Pettigrew bore the brunt of the battle. On they charged across the rolling farm land lying between the Emmitsburg Road and Cemetery Ridge. At every step wide gaps opened in their ranks where the grilling fire of the Union batteries mowed down groups of the oncoming host. When about half way across the shot-swept field, Pickett suddenly ordered a change of front. His men, instead of facing toward the Round Tops and the forces of Doubleday, turned directly to the north of the "Codori House" toward a clump of umbrella-shaped trees, standing on the crest of the hill. This move was made but five hundred yards away from the Union line, which so far had not attempted to fire on the Con- federates except with artillery. Unfortunately for Pickett, Wilcox's and Long's men (guarding his right flank,) did not follow his change in direction, but moved directly toward Sickles' men. This left Pickett's right exposed, and provided the opportunity whereby Stannard and his Vermonters later turned the tide of the Confederate line. Driving in the outposts from the Emmitsburg Road, Pickett's men came over the ground on the run, still in the face of the fire from the Union batteries on the crest of the hill and enfiladed by the batteries on Little Round Top. Pettigrew faced Hays' Division and his men s.oon began to fall by hundreds under the musketry fire of these troops. This proved too much even for the cour- 42 age of desperate fighters, and the North Carolinians turned and fled in all directions. Hundreds of prisoners were taken by Hays' men. In the meantime, Pickett's main body, headed by Garnett's and Kemper's Brigades had kept steadily on in spite of the artillery fire from the Ridge and from Little Round Top, facing Gibbon's front line which lay behind a stone wall on the sheltering crest of the ridge. Gibbon directed his men to withhold their fire until the enemy was close by. In the meantime Stannard, having seen the open space on the right flank of Pickett's line, had changed his front so that he could pour a fire into the flank of the Confederates. But on marched the brave Virginians, despite the fact that the 8th Ohio deployed as skirmishers along the Emmitsburg Road had turned their right flank and caused the entire front to swerve away from Stannard and his Vermonters. Up to the stone wall and over it, The High Water Mark, Hancock Avenue 43 Hancock Avenue south of High Water Mark leaped the lines of grey, although Webb's men opposed them desperately. On came Armistead, and finding Webb giving way from the wall, he and his men poured over it and captured one of the Union guns which had devastated their ranks. But they were doomed to failure. Gushing had fired his last serviceable gun before he fell dead, but Webb had sent for fresh batteries and Wheeler's First Indepen- dent New York Battery had taken Cushing's place on the left just before Armistead with about a hundred men, scaled the fence, and planted the Stars and Bars over the nearest battery inside the stone wall. With desperate courage, Webb led the 72d Pennsyl- vania against the rushing Confederates and posted a line of wounded men in the rear to shoot every man who turned back in an attempt to desert the ranks. A portion of the 71st Pennsylvania, behind the stone wall on the right, delivered a galling flank fire, while the greater part of the 69th Pennsylvania and the 71st Pennsylva- 44 nia poured volleys of bullets from the clump of trees on which the Confederate line had been centered. Then came Hall, with two regiments of the Third Brigade, and passing completely over Webb's lines, engaged the Confederates in a hand to hand conflict. This was bloody, but short. Armistead was shot down near the gun he had taken and before many minutes his men were scattered and captured. To the south Wilcox had made a feeble attempt to attack Caldwell's Division of Hancock's Corps. But Stannard had seen this and, turning his line right about face, had repeated the manoevure on Wilcox by which he had turned on Pickett's main advance, facing Wilcox's left flank. His men, reeling under this assault and the fire from the batteries in front, broke in confusion, many of the force being made prisoners. Pickett attained the crest of the ridge to which he had been pressing, but could not hold it. The entire force of the Union Army was opposed to him and no reinforcements could be sent. So, in desperate straits, he reluctantly gave orders to retreat and, inside of half an hour, the level land between Seminary Ridge and General George G. Meade Hancock Avenue Ricketts' Battery East Cemetery Hill 45 Cemetery Ridge was covered with scattered commands hurrying back to take refuge behind Wright's Brigade and the line of Confederate guns. Longstreet's attack on the Round Tops about two o'clock had been met by Kilpatrick with Farnsworth's and Merritt's Brigades, which after spirited fighting were compelled to withdraw, but succeeded in keeping Anderson's and Hood's men from sending aid to Wilcox and Pickett. Lee's hopes had been raised to the highest point when, from his position, he saw the Confederate flag flying on Cemetery Ridge. But the repulse of Pickett, the failure of Johnson and Ewell to co-operate on the right flank of the Union line and the inability of Longstreet to force fighting on the left flank depressed his hopes and he realized that if the counter attack on Meade's rear failed, the battle was lost. Upon learning of Johnson's repulse on Culp's Hill, Lee had sent Stuart and the cavalry around back of Ewell and Johnson with orders to cut into the rear of Meade's line. They had started ofT toward Hanover during the late morning hours. Howard, however, saw the Confederate cavalry moving in that direction, and Gregg, who was lying near White Run and the Baltimore Pike, received orders to guard Slocum's right and rear. Custer, Mcintosh and J. Irvin Gregg's Brigades of cavalry were thrown forward to meet and intercept Stuart. A very lively engagement followed the meeting of these two forces about three miles east of Gettysburg. Charge after charge was made by both sides but neither force made any appreciable effect upon the other. About three o'clock the brigades of Hampton and Fitz Lee were thrown forward in solid columns and the Union forces realized that if their line was broken, havoc would be played with the main Union line, for Pickett had just advanced for his charge on their front. 46 Union artillery opened at once on the advancing Confederates, and Gregg ordered the First Michigan cavalry to prepare to meet the charge with a counter charge. With Custer at the head, the Union cavalry- men rushed forward toward a force estimated to have been three times as great as their own. As the two columns clashed, the Third Pennsyl- vania fired a volley into the enemy's flank and then charged, driving the latter half of the Confederate column back past Rummel's farm clear to the Confed- erate battery on the hill. Meanwhile, Custer and the Michigan troopers had stopped the advance of the main column. It was a terrific fight while it lasted. Sabres clashed, revolvers barked and imprecations rent the air, as man and horse met man and horse. A final assault by the First New Jersey cavalry ended the strife, and Stuart withdrew, fighting every step of the way, back to Rummel's and past it. Wade Hampton was wounded and many prisoners were taken. Almost at the same hour that Pickett's heroic effort came to naught, the Confederate attack on the rear of the Union line was repulsed and the Federal army were victors on all parts of the field. On the return of Pickett's and Pettigrew's broken troops to the old line, Lee tried to re-form them for further conflict. But he found that too many had been left on the field, dead, wounded, or missing, to present out of the remainder a formidable front to a victorious enemy. But he prepared for the assault which he felt sure Meade would make following the rout of Pickett. There was the distance of a full mile between the lines of Long- street and Hill, while Ewell was still in and north of Gettysburg. Batteries were called in and placed where the fleeing troops could re-form behind their shelter to await the Union advance. 47 Victor as he was, Meade did not follow the usual course of the successful commander and press his ad- vantage on a weakened and disheartened foe. Content to have repulsed Lee's every effort, the Union com- mander held his position, making no effort to molest the Confederate forces, except In one instance. Overlooking the line of the army from the summit of Little Round Top, late In the afternoon, Meade was annoyed by the fire of a Confederate battery located on a little knoll just beyond the Wheatfield. Sending forward Crawford's Pennsylvania Reserves to drive away this battery without bringing on a general engage- ment, he made the last fight on Gettysburg's field, for early the next day, July 4, Lee started on his retreat to Virginia through the passes of the South Mountain and the Cumberland Valley. Battery K, 1st Ohio Light Artillery, Carlisle Street 48 The Retreat of Lee's Army Meade hardly realized that Lee had actually left until his cavalry scouts informed him on the 4th that the Army of Northern Virginia, with its hundreds of prisoners and wounded, was retreating over the South Mountain on the Chambersburg and Fairfield roads. On the morning of July 4, a heavy rain storm set in, which measurably hampered the movements of Lee's forces, but Meade did not deem it w4se to push the pursuit. On July 5, he sent Sedgw^ick, with the Sixth Corps, to follow the retreating army. Sedgwick followed the Confederate forces on the Fairfield Road as far as Fairfield Pass, and, with the aid of Kil- patrick's cavalry, effectively harassed the rear of Early's column. Birney had already pursued the column using the Fairfield Road, and had had a sharp engagement with it. French, from his base at Frederick, had destroyed the bridge across the Potomac River at Falling Waters, with the aim of preventing Lee from crossing the swollen stream at that point. But a general movement of the Union Army in pursuit of Lee was not begun until the latter had reached Hagerstown. Meade, then, under orders from Washing- ton, moved his forces southward. Lee, however, had sufficient advantage in the start to enable him to cross into Virginia before the pursuing army could reach him. Hill and Longstreet crossed the Potomac on impro- vised bridges at Falling Waters, and Ewell forded the river at Williamsport some days before Meade and the Union Army arrived at its north bank. With the swollen tide of the Potomac between them, the two armies set about the task of repairing, as best they could, the fearful ravages which the greatest of modern battles had wrought in their men and equip- ment. 49 50 Gettysburg Battlefield Today In the half century which has elapsed since the hostile forces of Meade and Lee clashed on the soil of Pennsylvania, interest in the great battlefield has grown with each succeeding year. Its visitors are numbered by thousands annually. They come from all quarters of the world, and include survivors of the battle; the friends and relatives of those who fought; students of military history; school children; and all citizens of the Union who honor the memory and appreciate the valor of their countrymen. No battlefield in the world is so elaborately marked, so easy to understand by the layman as well as the mili- tary man. So accurately have the positions of the various commands in the battle been designated, that one has no difficulty in finding the location of any regi- ment during the three days of the fight. In the year 1893, the Gettysburg National Battle- field Commission was appointed, by Act of Congress, to plot and suitably mark the battlefield, which up to that time had but few monuments or markers upon it. Plans were adopted by which the positions of every command engaged in the battle were to be shown by markers, including Division, Brigade, Regimental, and in some cases Company organizations. In 1895, the governrnent established Gettysburg Battlefield as one of the National Parks, and since that time the Commission has acquired a considerable acreage of the farmlands over which the contesting armies waged warfare, and has bent its efforts to restore the Battlefield to as near the condition it was in in 1863, as is possible. 51 Gulp's Hill and Stevens Knoll from East Cemetery Hill The National Park contains 15,360 acres or twenty- four square miles, which includes the scene of the First, Second and Third Days' battles. Through the park, the Commission has laid out thirty-two and one-half miles of telford roads. These are called avenues and are named after the Division, Corps and Brigade Com- manders whose troops, at some critical portion of the battle, centered around the territory through which they extend. These special avenues open up to the pedestrian, the driver or the automobilist the portions of the field not directly on the old main roads which radiated from Gettysburg at the time of the battle. These main roads — the Chambersburg Pike, the Hagerstown or Fairfield Road, the Mummasburg, Car- lisle, Harrisburg, Hunterstown, Hanover, Baltimore, Taneytown and Emmitsburg Roads — have been improved by the government, so that every foot of the field is with- in easy reach of the visitor to Gettysburg. 52 There are today 588 monuments; the greater portion commemorating positions held by regimental organiza- tions of infantry and cavalry, and batteries of artillery. The positions of the latter are further marked by 368 mounted cannon, in many cases behind entrenchments constructed during the battle for the protection of the gunners of the batteries. In addition to the various state monuments,, the Battlefield Commission has erected 156 special monu- ments and 550 markers on both the Union and Confed- erate lines, showing the location of the larger commands on the three days of the battle. These monuments and markers, both large and small, are beautiful specimens of the stone mason's and bronze worker's skill. The markers, in many cases, are bronze tablets, suitably mounted on stone bases, bearing the record of the command commemorated; in other cases, less elaborate but just as intelligible markers, in iron and stone, show positions held at critical periods of the engagement. Soldiers' Cemetery from the Lodge 53 General H W Slocum Stevens Knoll 82d Illinois Infantry Howard Avenue The Commission has also erected on the field, near the more important points of interest, high observation towers from which an extended view of the field may be obtained. One of these overlooks the scene of the Buford and Reynolds' fight of the first day; a second is on Gulp's Hill; another on Cemetery Hill; a fourth on the summit of Big Round Top; and the fifth on Con- federate Avenue, overlooking the Peach Orchard and the Spangler Woods where Pickett formed for his charge. Of the State monuments, that erected by the State of Pennsylvania is the most elaborate. It stands on South Hancock Avenue, south of the High Water Mark and the Angle, just beyond the high granite shaft erected in memory of the United States Regulars. The Penn- sylvania monument is in the form of an ancient temple, surmounted by a figure of a woman bearing a victor's wreath in her outstretched hand. Statues of distin- guished men will be erected on the angles. The New York State monument, a tall shaft in columnar form, with a heroic figure surmounting its top, and the noble United States Monument in the National Cemetery are always objects of interest to visitors. 54 The Lincoln Speech Memorial, a red granite monu- ment, exedra in form, with bronze tablets, stands south of the spot where President Lincoln delivered his famous speech dedicating the cemetery to national use in the fall of 1863. There are four equestrian statues on the field. That of General Meade, the Commander-in-Chief, stands on the crest of Cemetery Ridge directly back of the Angle. General Reynolds' statue faces the first Confed- erate advance on the Chambersburg Pike, near the McPherson Farm. On East Cemetery Hill is the statue of General Hancock, and on Stevens Knoll that of Slocum. The pedestals for the equestrian statues of General Sedgwick, on Sedgwick Avenue, just north of Little Round Top — to be erected by the State of Connecticut — and of General Robert E. Lee, on Confederate Avenue, near the Spangler Woods — Virginia's contribution to the field — are in position. It is expected that the Sedgwick statue will be in place prior to the semi- centennial, and the Lee statue, which directly faces that of General Meade, will be mounted in about two years. There are also heroic statues of General Buford, near that of General Reynolds, on the Chambersburg Pike; of General Greene, on Slocum Avenue, at the summit of Gulp's Hill; of General Warren, on Little Round Top, and of Reynolds in the National Cemetery. 55 Visiting the Field Those who visit Gettysburg for the semi-centennial and at other times will find In the following paragraphs concise directions for reaching the principal sections of the battlefield from the center of Gettysburg, where are located the leading hotels and railroad stations. While there are several livery stables in Gettysburg where one may obtain carriages, with experienced drivers thoroughly familiar with the field, many people prefer to wander at will; to walk to the portions of the field that are near the town, or to drive themselves over the field at large. To such persons, the following para- graphs will prove Interesting. The heart of Gettysburg, known as Center Square, is formed by the junction of Carlisle, York, Chambers- burg and Baltimore Streets. One block south of this square is Middle Street (East and West) along which was established on the afternoon of July 1, the main line of Ewell's Division after they had driven the Union forces back to Cemetery Hill. 17th Connecticut Infantry Howard Avenue Indiana State Meredith Avenue 56 Company G 1st Wisconsin Sharpshooters Emmitsburg Road To reach the scene of Buford's and Reynolds' encounter with the Con- federates on Seminary Hill, one leaves by way of Chambersburg Street. Three squares west of Center Square, Cham- bersburg Street branches into Springs Avenue and Chambersburg Pike. A little less than half a mile brings one to the Lutheran Seminary, the tower on the main building being the one used by Buford and Reynolds as a post of observation. Beyond the Seminary is Seminary Avenue, extending from the Chambersburg Pike to the Fairfield Road and connecting with West Confederate Avenue at the latter road. Continuing out either the Chambersburg Pike or Fairfield Road one comes to Reynolds Avenue, just back of the McPherson Farm and the main line of the morning's fight of the first day. To the north, Reynolds Avenue connects with Buford Avenue, marking the position of Devin's Caval- ry Brigade and the right flank of the Union Army until the arrival of How- ard. Buford Avenue, ex- tends to the Mummas- burg Road, the scene of the struggle with Iverson's men as they came down that road. A quarter of a milp north nf tVlic: I'c 0?»V *^**^ New Jersey Infantry d UHie IIUI Lll Ul Llllb IS \^clK Colgrove Ave., McAllister's Woods 57 Hill, with its mounted guns, marking the artillery attack on Howard's line as it was drawn up north of the town. To reach the scene of the afternoon's fight on the first day, one should walk or drive north on Carlisle street. About half a mile beyond the town limits is Howard Avenue, extending in a diagonal direction from the Mummasburg Road to the Harrisburg Road, passing Barlow Knoll. It was from this direction that Howard's men were driven back through the town to Cemetery Hill. If one walks out Carlisle Street to Lincoln Avenue, turns west to the Mummasburg Road, thence through Howard Avenue to the Harrisburg Road, and back past the County Almshouse to the town, one covers the territory which was the scene of the effort of Steinwehr and Barlow to keep Early and Rodes from entering Gettysburg. The second day's battle is divided into two sections, some distance from each other, one centering on Ceme- tery and Culp's Hills, the other at the southern extremity of the field in the Peach Orchard; the Wheatfield; the Valley of Death, and the Round Tops. To reach East Cemetery Hill — the scene of the assault by Early's men on the night of July 2, — one goes south on Baltimore Street, which beyond the junction of the Emmitsburg Road, becomes the Baltimore Road. Ten minutes' walk brings one to the crest of East Ceme- tery Hill, with its batteries and the Hancock statue. On the other side of the hill is the old Cemetery Gate, so well known from the early pictures of the charge of the Louisiana Tigers. A further description of the National Cemetery, which the old Cemetery adjoins, will be found on another page. From a point a short distance south of East Ceme- tery Hill, Slocum Avenue, leads over Stevens Knoll to the summit of Culp's Hill, with its bullet-scarred trees and old entrenchments, and down to Spangler's Spring, where it joins East Confederate Avenue. 58 The latter avenue, running from East Middle Street, marks the position of EwelFs line around the east base of Gulp's Hill. From this position the assaults on East Cemetery Hill and Gulp's Hill were made. Several other avenues reach other points of interest on the south slope of Gulp's Hill, Geary Avenue leading through the scene of the bitter fight between Johnson's and Geary's men on July 3, in the morning. There are several ways to reach the scene of Long- street's attack on Sickles' line and the Round Tops. The Emmitsburg Road, branching off from Baltimore Street at the southern end of the town, leads directly to the Peach Orchard, lying just beyond the Wheatfield Road. One may walk or drive completely around the Peach Orchard on Birney Avenue. What is known as Sickles' Excelsior line is reached by taking Sickles Avenue from its junction with the Emmitsburg Road south of the Godori House. United House known as General Lee's Headquarters, Chambersburg Pike 59 The Peach Orchard Fence States Avenue, marking part of the fight of the afternoon of July 2, crosses this at right angles, extending from the Emmitsburg Road to Hancock Avenue. Leaving the Peach Orchard, one may walk or drive over the Wheatfield Road directly past the Wheatfield to Sedgwick Avenue at the foot of Little Round Top. Or one may follow Sickles Avenue around and over the rocks and boulders on the little hills fronting the Round Tops to the Devil's Den. Brooke Avenue, also marks the position of many of the troops which engaged in the late afternoon struggle for the possession of Little Round Top. It is closely joined to Sickles Avenue. Leading from the Wheatfield Road directly through the Valley of Death, past the eastern side of the Wheat- field is Crawford Avenue. One may leave Crawford Avenue near the Devil's Den and go by Warren Avenue between Big and Little Round Top, connecting with Sykes Avenue, which extends over Little and Big Round Top from the Wheatfield Road. 60 One may also reach the Round Tops by a more direct route by taking the Taney town Road, an extension of Washington Street, Gettysburg, to a point where Hancock Avenue branches off to the west, just south of the cemetery. This extends along the front of the Union Line to United States Avenue, continuing beyond as Sedgwick Avenue to the Wheatfield Road ; and thence as Sykes Avenue. This latter route is also the way to reach the scene of Pickett's charge. To cover this properly, one should leave Gettysburg by Baltimore Street, going to the National Cemetery gate. Thence a walk or drive through the Cemetery to the south gate follows the line of battle to the Taney town Road. Turning into Hancock Avenue, one still keeps on the line past the Bryan House to the Angle and the High Water Mark near the umbrella-shape trees, which mark the highest point reached by the Confederates in the charge. A few minutes' walk through Meade Avenue, leading eastward from the Angle, brings one to the old Bishop House on the Taneytown Road where General Meade had his headquarters during the fight. A new road is in course of construction from the Meade Headquarters to the Baltimore Road which will probably be open by the time of the semi-centennial celebration. Powers Hill, where a part of Sedgwick's troops who were held in reserve on July 2, and Neill Avenue, not yet improved, mark the position of the troops not actively engaged in the battle. The Cavalry field, on which the great fight between Stuart and the Union Cavalry on July 3, occurred, lies about three and a half miles east of Gettysburg. To reach it, one drives out the Hanover Road extending from the York Road, or York Street, as it is known in the town. 6i Curtin The National Cemetery Few visitors leave Gettysburg with- out paying their tribute of respect to the 3555 soldier dead who lie in the National Cemetery, almost in the heart of the battle-field on which they gave up their lives in the struggle for supremacy be- tween the North and the South. Crowning the crest of East Cemetery Hill and directly adjoining the old Ever- green Cemetery, which overlooked the terrific night fight of July 2, the National Cemetery, with its semi-circular rows of graves, arranged according to states, and most of them marked — except the pathetic section in which lie the 979 unknown victims of the battle — also marks the northern line of troops and guns from the evening of July 1, until Meade evacuated the town. After the battle interment was made of all the dead at various points of the fields, rough markers being set up. But when Governor Curtin, of Pennsylvania, visited Gettysburg shortly after the battle, to bring relief to the wounded survivors, he found that many of these graves had been so hastily made that the bodies were but imperfectly covered. David Wills, left by Curtin to represent him, con- ceived the idea of establishing a cemetery in which to gather all the dead from the battle, and he suggested to Governor Curtin the idea of laying out a National Cemetery. 63 The various states represented by the troops in the engagement entered into the idea heartily, and by August 17, fifteen of them had pledged aid to the project. Wills purchased the old apple orchard, which had sheltered Union guns, at the cost of $2475.87 and title was taken in the name of the State of Pennsylvania. The property consisted of seventeen acres. Plots were laid out and apportioned to the various states, the United States regulars and the unknown dead. The work of exhuming was started on October 27, 1863, but it was not until March 18, 1864, that the last body had been interred in its final resting place. The National Monument, which occupies the center of the semi-circle of graves, was dedicated on July, 1869. The dedication of the Cemetery as a National resting place for the dead took place on November 19, 1863. While the orator of the occasion was Edward Everett, one of the greatest orators of the time, this occasion is best remembered by the words of the immortal Lincoln: Lincoln Speech Memorial, National Cemetery 64 "Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. '*Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. ''But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate — we can not consecrate — we can not hallow — this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remain- ing before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." Lincoln 65 Forward ! March ! Veterans or visitors desiring information about tickets and train service to and from Gettysburg may procure the same by applying or writing to any Ticket Agent of the Pennsylvania System, or the following officials: O. T. Boyd, Division Passenger Agent 263 Fifth Avenue, New York City F. B. Barnitz, .... Division Passenger Agent 1433 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa. A. E. Buchanan, .... Division Passenger Agent Harrisburg, Pa. E, Yungman, .... Division Passenger Agent Room 212 OUver Building, Pittsburgh, Pa. Wm. Pedrick, Jr., . . Division Passenger Agent Baltimore and Calvert Streets, Baltimore, Md. David Todd, Division Passenger Agent Williamsport, Pa. B. P. Fraser, . . . . . Division Passenger Agent 307 Main St., Ellicott Square, Buffalo, N. Y. or to GEO. W. BOYD Passenger Traffic Manager Jas. P. Anderson D. N. Bell General Passenger Agent General Passenger Agent Broad Street Station, Philadelphia, Pa. PENNSYLVANIA SYSTEM LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 013 702 104 3 '''*•*»..