Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 08.djvu/528

516 When arriving in about three miles of Gettysburg, the artillery and the advance of Major-General Heth having already become engaged with the enemy, the division was formed in line of battle from right to left in the following order: Colonel Perrin, Brigadier-Generals Scales, Lane and Thomas; the two former on the right, and the two latter on the left of the turnpike. In this order, with a strong line of skirmishers thrown out on the right, the division advanced for nearly a mile, and was halted in obedience to orders from Lieutenant-General Hill, General Heth having also halted in front.

About three o'clock the troops of the corps of Lieutenant-General Ewell appearing on the left, and the enemy making a strong demonstration on the right with infantry and cavalry, the brigade of General Lane was ordered to the extreme right of the division, and General Thomas was directed to close upon the left of General Scales.

Simultaneously with the appearance of Lieutenant-General Ewell on the left, a general advance was ordered on the right. General Heth moved quickly forward and soon became vigorously engaged with the enemy. The Light Division in the new order moved forward in his support, with the exception of the brigade of General Thomas, which was retained by Lieutenant-General Hill to meet a threatened advance from the left. The division continued to move forward until it came close upon the command of General Heth, pressing the enemy within a short distance in front. General Pender sent his Assistant Adjutant-General forward to General Heth to know if that officer was in need of assistance. Being informed that he was pressing the enemy from one position to another, the division advanced slowly, keeping within close supporting distance of the troops in front.

About four o'clock General Pender ordered an advance of the three brigades, with instructions to pass General Heth's division if found at a halt, and charge the enemy's position, which was on a prominent ridge, between a quarter and a half mile from Gettysburg. The division moved rapidly forward, and passed the division of General Heth, then under command of Brigadier-General Pettigrew, which seemed much exhausted and greatly reduced by several hours of hard and successful fighting.

General Lane, on the extreme right, being annoyed by a heavy force of dismounted cavalry on his right flank, which kept up a severe enfilade fire, was so much delayed thereby, that he was unable to attack the enemy in front, except in routing a force posted in the woods, occupied the next day by Major Pegram's battalion of artillery.

Colonel Perrin, after passing General Heth's division, took advantage