Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 05.pdf/202

Rh open, as they would draw a concentrated fire upon his men, much exposed. Unless as part of a combined assault, it would be worse than useless, I at once saw, to open fire there. Captain Maurin, of Garnett's battalion, in command of several batteries, was therefore directed to post his guns and be ready, but to keep his horses under cover, and not to fire till further orders. Having further examined this ridge, and communicated with Colonel Walker, chief of artillery, Third corps, I returned across the battle-field and sent to inform the Commanding-General of the state of facts, especially of the road to the right, believed to be important towards a flank movement against the enemy in his new position. While these operations occurred, Andrews' battalion and the two reserve battalions, Second corps, came up with Johnson's division, on the Cash Town road, and proceeded to join the other troops of their corps on the left; and Colonel Brown, acting chief of artillery for that corps, sent to find, if practicable, an artillery route towards a wooded height commanding the enemy's right. No farther attack, however, was made, and night closed upon the scene.

Early on the morning of the 2d the enemy, being now strongly posted on the heights to which he had retired the previous evening, the artillery of the Second corps occupied positions from the Seminary hill round to the left, the gallant Major Latimer, commanding Andrews' battalion, being on the extreme left, and Colonel Brown's battalion, under Captain Dance, on the right, near the Seminary. Further to the right, on Seminary Ridge, Colonel Walker posted the artillery of the Third corps, except Poague's battalion and a portion of Garnett's, held for a season in reserve. From the furthest occupied point on the right and front, in company with Colonels Long and Walker, and Captain Johnson (engineer), I soon after sunrise surveyed the enemy's position towards some estimate of the ground, and the best mode of attack. So far as from such a view judgment could be formed, assault on the enemy's left by our extreme right might succeed, should the mountain there offer no insuperable obstacle. To attack on that side, if practicable, I understood to be the purpose of the Commanding-General. Returning from this position more to the right and rear, for the sake of tracing more exactly the mode of approach, I proceeded some distance along the ravine road noticed the previous evening, and was made aware of having entered the enemy's lines by meeting two armed, dismounted cavalrymen. Apparently surprised, they immediately surrendered, and were disarmed and sent to the rear, with two of the three members of my staff present.

Having satisfied myself of the course and character of this road, I returned to an elevated point on the Fairfield road, which furnished a very extensive view, and dispatched messengers to General Longstreet and the Commanding-General. Between this point and the Emmettsburg road the enemy's cavalry were seen in considerable force, and moving up along the road towards the enemy's main position, bodies of infantry and artillery, accompanied by their trains.

This front was, after some time, examined by Colonel Smith and Captain Johnson, engineers, and about midday General Longstreet arrived and viewed the ground. He desired Colonel Alexander to obtain the best view he then could of the front. I therefore conducted the Colonel to the advanced point of observation previously visited. Its approach was now more hazardous from the fire of the enemy's sharpshooters, so that special caution was necessary in making the desired observation.

Just then a sharp contest occurred in the woods to the right and rear of this forward point. Anderson's division, Third corps, had moved up, and was driving the enemy from those woods. Poague's artillery battalion was soon after sent to co-operate with that division, and also a battery from Lane's battalion.

These woods having been thus cleared of the enemy, some view of the ground beyond them, and much farther to the right than had yet been