Successfully catching the Westminister train, Sam Wilkeson finally arrived at the battlefront on July 2, the second day of battle. But his difficulty would take a great emotional turn. He was advised upon his arrival that his son, Bayard, a young officer, had been severely wounded, having lost his leg from cannon fire. He learned the next day that his son had died. Wilkeson stayed to write his dispatch, reportedly by his son’s grave site.
When the fog of war lifted, and Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia was forced to retreat southward, The New York Times still claimed victory for the Union, but the Charleson Mercury never admitted that the Confederate Army lost the great battle in Pennsylvania.
July 7, 1863: From the Charleston Mercury Telegraphic News of the Battle of Gettysburg
Richmond, July 5 – Accounts from the Baltimore American of the 2d instant state that at 9 o on the lst, the 11th Corps of the Army of the Potomac entered Gettysburg, the cavalry of the rebels falling back and passing out of the west end of the town. The rebels, under LONGSTREET and HILL, advanced steadily, and, in a few minutes, a heavy fire of artillery and musketry opened along the whole Federal line against the advancing rebels. Several unsuccessful charges were made by the rebels on our lines. At 3 o the enemy massed his entire forces, and endeavored to turn our right wing. A heavy fight ensued, both sides suffering severely. The field between the contending armies was strewn with the dead and wounded. It is said the enemy suffered quite as heavily as we did. The effort to flank our right wing entirely failed. The advantage on the field is said to have remained decidedly with the Northern forces; but officers who arrived last night with prisoners describe the result of the fight as rather unfavorable to our arms. The enemy held the field at the close of the day, our forces having fallen back, after the fall of General REYNOLDS. On Thursday there was heavy skirmishing but no general engagement. The enemy is rapidly concentrating his troops. Yesterday MEADE’S whole army had reached the field. In the battle General WADSWORTH was severely wounded. The Union losses were enormously heavy, especially among field and line officers.
BATTLE MAP OF GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN ON DAY ONE. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.
BATTLE MAP OF GETTSYBURG CAMPAIGN ON DAY TWO. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.
BATTLE MAP OF GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN ON DAY THREE. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.
The Yankees on the flag of truce boat last night state that General MEADE was severely wounded in the battle of Gettysburg, and that four Federal Generals were killed. They say it was a drawn battle.
The Situation in Pennsylvania
As the crow flies, Gettysburg is about forty miles north from Washington, and about fifty miles from Baltimore, and it is on the direct route to Philadelphia, via York and Columbia, where the road crosses the river. Our advance has been to Columbia; EWELL’S corps was at York; LONGSTREET between York and Gettysburg, some twenty miles apart; and A.P. HILL’S corps has reached Gettysburg. LONGSTREET and HILL, at that place it seems, met and repulsed the enemyattacking columns with slaughter. And EWELL’S advance corps, as a reserve, has returned to reinforce, and we trust complete a victory which Yankee accounts call a battle.
If LEE succeeds in crushing MEADE’S army, Philadelphia will be at his mercy, or he may come down upon Washington in its rear. In either case, something brilliant and effective will have been accomplished, which, if vigorously used, may greatly tend to peace. But nothing except complete victory can make LEE master of the situation. So far the Yankee accounts we publish are very encouraging. Concealment of the extent of their distress, we regard as a matter of course; and, therefore from what they admit, feel confident they are badly hurt.
The Charleston Mercury
July 8, 1863
Telegraphic News
Great Battle in Pennsylvania
Our Forces Victorious
RICHMOND, July 7. – The latest despatches received from Martinsburg report that the enemy has been completely routed.
Forty thousand prisoners were taken on Sunday.
I will send fuller despatches this afternoon.
Later
RICHMOND, July 7 – The following telegrams have just been received here:
MARTINSBURG, VA, July 5 – At 5 p.m. on Saturday Gen. LEE had changed his front, occupying the ground from which the enemy had been driven on the 1st and 2d instants. The whole army was in splendid spirits and masters of the situation.
Gens. RHODES and PICKETT were wounded. Col. AVERY, of N. C., was killed, and Cols. BENNETT and PARKE wounded.
MARTINSBURG, July 6, a.m. – A courier just in reports that the enemy was defeated yesterday, and driven three miles.
A vast number of prisoners are reported to have been taken by LEE. The prisoners refused to be paroled, and are now on their way to Richmond.
This has been the bloodiest battle of the war. Our loss was very great. That of the enemy was immense.
JULY 6, p.m. – On Saturday night our centre fell back, drawing on the enemy. By our movement we had gained a good position on the heights. A general fight then ensued, resulting in the rout of the Yankees. LEE (as all accounts agree) captured 40,000 prisoners.
Fighting was going on at Williamsport between IMBODEN’S cavalry and several regiments of infantry, with a division of Yankee cavalry under PLEASANTON.
Another telegram, dated Martinsburg, June 6, says: The latest accounts which seem to be trustworthy, state that the fight of Sunday was the bloodiest of the war. A. P. HILL fell back in the centre, causing the enemy to believe that he was retreating. The enemy thereupon advanced, when EWELL and LONGSTREET, with the right and left wings, closed in upon him, surrounding him completely.
We took the heights for which we had been contending, and captured 40,000 prisoners. They refused to be paroled. PICKETT’S division is guarding the prisoners on their way to Martinsburg.
From the West – Reported Fall of Vicksburg
BOLTON STATION, MISS., July 5 – Yesterday, about 12 o, the Yankee cavalry crossed the Big Black at Budsong Ferry. They advanced into the interior, but were promptly met by WHITFIELD’S Brigade and driven back across the river.
A courier, just in from EdwardDepot, says that AUSTERHAUS’whole command crossed near that place last night. If so, we will have warm work today.
GRANT is evidently very uneasy in regard to events transpiring in his rear. There was but little firing at Vicksburg yesterday.
Later
JACKSON, MISS., July 6. – The mail carrier has just arrived, and states positively that Vicksburg has fallen.
The Charleston Mercury
July 8, 1863
This same news has been received this morning from different sources, but not by any one here officially.
The War in North Carolina
WILMINGTON, July 6 – The damage to the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad during the recent Yankee raid was but trifling, and will be repaired tonight. Through trains will be run tomorrow. FOSTER is retreating to Newbern.
JULY 7 – A letter from a reliable source, dated Kinston, last night says: ‘A courier just arrived reports that an engagement is now progressing between the retreating enemy and our forces near Freebridge. The enemy is supposed to be cut off.’
The Charleston Mercury
July 13, 1863
From General Lee’s Army
A wounded officer of WRIGHT’S brigade, who arrived in Richmond on Thursday gives highly interesting particulars of the battles of Gettysburg. He left Gettysburg at 11 o on Saturday morning. From his statement we gather the following particulars:
In the fights of Wednesday and Thursday we whipped the enemy badly. On Friday the fight again commenced, being chiefly done by our centre, which was composed of Longstreet corps and two divisions of General A. P. Hillcorps. Neither the right nor left wing was seriously engaged. We drove the enemy back five miles to the heights, which he had fortified. In driving them this five miles we broke through two of their lines of battle formed to receive the onset of our troops, and finally charged them to the heights.
Here our men were ordered to charge the heights, and the order being executed, resulted in our repulse.
VIEW FROM THE SUMMIT OF LITTLE ROUND TOP. THE ADVANCE OF GENERAL LONG-STREET’S CORPS ON THE UNION POSITION (5TH CORPS) THURSDAY EVENING AND FRIDAY AFTERNOON (FORBES). LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.
On Friday night our wagon trains were ordered to fall back, and commenced going to the rear. It is supposed that our army fell back from want of provisions. There was no scarcity of ammunition, for there were many trains of ordnance out of which not a single cartridge or shell had been taken. Some of them were attacked by the enemy, but Imobodencavalry successfully drove them off. Those of our men who were slightly wounded and could walk were sent off Saturday about noon. Those who were severely wounded were left in hospitals near the battle field.
In the fights of Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, General Lee took about 10,000 prisoners, who were promptly sent to the rear, and who, our informant thinks, will reach Virginia safely. During the same time we lost about 4,000 prisoners and about 11,000 killed and wounded – making our loss 15,000 in all. The battle was the most furious that has taken place in this country, and the losses of the enemy in killed and wounded must exceed ours. In the charge upon them which drove them five miles, their loss, while flying before our troops, was enormous. Wrightbrigade suffered severely. One of the regiments which went into action with a Colonel, Lieutenant Colonel, and five or six Captains, came out in charge of a Second Lieutenant, the ranking officers having been either killed or wounded.
Our informant says that our army fell back with the greatest deliberation and order, to use his expression, there was no demoralization. None of the officers have any idea that Gen. Lee intends to recross the Potomac, nor has that intention been even hinted at by the officers commanding corps. It was generally and distinctly understood that the falling back was caused by the difficulty in obtaining provisions through so long a line of communication as that from Gettysburg to Williamsport, and no one in the army believed that it was intended to evacuate Maryland. The men were in good spirits, and ready for another fight with the enemy.
The Potomac, when our informant crossed, was very high. It is proper to state that the officer from whom the above information was obtained was a very intelligent, cool and deliberate person, and one not likely to exaggerate any fact which he might have learned.
From The New York Times
Saturday, July 4, 1863
Special Dispatches to The New York Times
Battle-Field Near Gettysburgh
Thursday 4:30 P. M. Via Baltimore, Friday A. M.
The day has been quiet up to the present moment. The enemy are now massing a heavy force on our left, and have just began the attack with artillery. The probability is that a severe battle will be fought before dark.
The rebel sharpshooters have been annoying our batteries and men all day from the steeples of the churches in Gettysburgh.
We hold the Emmetsburgh and Baltimore roads. L. L. CROUNSE.
Friday morning July 3,- three A.M. Via Baltimore, one P.M. At the close of my last dispatch at 4½ P.. yesterday, the enemy had just opened a heavy attack by artillery on our left and centre. The tactics of the enemy were soon apparent – a massing of their main strength on our left Bank, which covered the Frederick road, with the determination to crush it. So intent were the enemy on this purpose, that every other part of the lines was left alone.
THE PURSUIT OF GENERAL LEE’S REBEL ARMY. THE HEAVY GUNS – 30 POUNDERS – GOING TO THE FRONT DURING A RAIN STORM (FORBES). LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.
Battle Field Near Gettysburgh
The fighting was of the most desperate description on both sides. Our gallant men fought as they never fought before. We had against this great onslaught of the enemy three corps – the Second, Third and Fifth. The Third and Fifth joined hands, and fought heroically. The Second ably supported them, and at the same time held its own position. One division of the First was also engaged.
The fighting was so furious that neither party took many prisoners. We captured about 600 in one or two charges.
The losses, considering the duration of the conflict, are more than usually heavy on both sides. Many of our most gallant officers have fallen. Gen. SICKLES’ right leg was shot off below the knee. Amputation has been performed, and he is doing well.
Late in the evening, Gen. MEADE called a council of his corps commanders, and it was resolved to continue the fight so long as there was any one left to fight.
L. L. CROUNSE.
Baltimore, Friday, July 3. Via Washington. Friday, July 3
Our correspondent has just arrived from the battle-field at Gettysburgh, having left there at 3 o’clock this morning. The reports of the occurences in that vicinity, as thus far rendered in the Philadelphia and Baltimore papers, are almost totally incorrect. A brief and candid statement of the situation up to this morning is this:
In Wednesday’s fight we were repulsed, simply because we were overpowered and outflanked. We fell back to the rear of Gettysburgh, and held that position. The action was not general, and was not intended to be by Gen. MEADE. It was brought on by Gen. REYNOLDS, under the impression that his force exceeded that of the enemy.
There was no fighting yesterday until 4½ o’clock, P. M. A bloody engagement was then fought, lasting until dark, resulting in a substantial success to our forces, the enemy being repulsed with great loss. The particulars I have already sent you by a special courier.
Neither Gens.WADSWORTH, VAN STEINWEHR nor DOUBLE-DAY are wounded.
The total number of prisoners taken up to this morning was about fifteen hundred – eight hundred and fifty on Wednesday and six hundred on Thursday. This is reliable.
The enemy made the attack yesterday. It was terrific, and they threw their whole force into it, but they were finally repulsed with great slaughter.
At daylight this morning the battle was renewed, the cannonading being rapid and heavy. It was the determination of our Generals to fight to the bitter end.
L. L. CROUNSE.
PRISONERS BELONGING TO GENERAL LONGSTREET’S CORPS, CAPTURED BY UNION TROOPS, MARCHING TO THE REAR UNDER GUARD (FORBES). LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.
Official Dispatches from Gen. Meade
WASHINGTON, Friday, July 3
An official dispatch was received this afternoon from Maj.Gen. MEADE, dated Headquarters Army of the Potomac, July 2, 11 o’clock P.M., which says:
“The enemy attacked me about 4 P. M. this day, and, after one of the severest contests of the war, was repulsed at all points. We have suffered considerably in killed and wounded. Among the former are Brig.-Gens. PAUL and ZOOK, and among the wounded Gens. SLOCUM BARLOW, GRAHAM and WARREN, slightly. We have taken a large number of prisoners.”
Second Dispatch
WASHINGTON, Friday, July 3
A later dispatch has been received from Maj.-Gen.MEADE, dated 8 o’clock this morning, which says:
“The action commenced again at early daylight upon various parts of the line. The enemy thus far have made no impression upon my position. All accounts agree in placing their whole army here. Prisoners report that LONGSTREET’S and A. P. HILL’S forces were much injured yesterday, and had many general officers killed. Gen. BARKSDALE. of Mississippi is dead. His body is within our lines. We have thus far about 1,600 prisoners, and a small number yet to be started.”
The Battle of Wednesday
Special Dispatch to The New-York Times.
Battle-Field near Gettysburgh
Thursday, 12( ) M... July 2, via Frederick, July 3
The engagement yesterday was quite severe, though confined to our advance, the First and Eleventh corps; the action being mainly fought by the First corps, under Gen. Reynolds, who was killed by a sharpshooter early in the fight. We first attacked the enemy’s advance just beyond Gettysburgh, and repulsed it. when the whole corps became engaged, and subsequently the Eleventh corps, which came up to support by the Emmetsburgh road. The opposing forces were the rebel
corps of HILL and EWELL. Our men gallantly sustained the fight, holding their own until 4 o’clock, when they retired to a strong position just to the eastward and southward of Gettysburgh.
This was maintained until the arrival of reinforcements at night, and our lines are now well formed.
No general engagement has yet taken place, but the probability is that a great battle will be fought this afternoon or tomorrow. The enemy is in great force. Our troops are now all up and well in hand.
The battle yesterday was sanguinary in the extreme. WADSWORTH’S division sustained the early portion of it with great valor, charging the enemy and taking a whole regiment of prisoners with Brig.-Gen. ARCHER. We have taken fully one thousand prisoners and lost many, most of them being wounded and in Gettysburgh, the greater portion of which the enemy now hold.
The rebels occupy Pennsylvania College as an hospital. ROBINSON’S division and one brigade of DOUBLEDAY’S supported WADSWORTH with great gallantry. The Eleventh corps, most of it fought well, and redeemed the disgrace of Chancellorsvllle. Among the general officers we lose beside Maj.-Gen. REYNOLDS. Gen. PAUL killed, and Gen. BARLOW wounded. Gen. SCHIMMELFENNIG is a prisoner. An estimate of yesterday’s casualties cannot now be made.
Gettysburgh was injured by shells to a considerable extent. Most of the inhabitants remain in the burgh; many got away yesterday. It is a beautiful place, surrounded by a beautiful open and rolling country.
There has been more or less skirmishing all the morning, but no engagement of dimensions. Both parties are preparing for the great contest before them. Our troops are in splendid condition and fight like veterans.
Reports from Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Friday, July 3
The Evening Bulletin learns from parties who have arrived in this city the following particulars:
The fight opened at Gettysburgh on Wednesday, when our forces were about half a mile beyond the town.
But one brigade of the corps of Major-Gen. REYNOLDS was in position to do service at the opening of the struggle.
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