Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 08.djvu/533

Rh In this attack Major-General Trimble was severely wounded near the enemy's works in the leg, which necessitated amputation, and in the retreat to the Potomac, unfortunately fell into the hands of the enemy. His conduct needs no encomium in this report. The action of the division attests the value of his services, which a grateful country will ever appreciate. One member of his staff was killed, and two others wounded, Major Gettings but slightly.

The division was reformed in accordance with orders from General Trimble, by General Lane, just in rear of the artillery and upon the same ground where it had rested before making the attack, and in this position remained until the army fell back on the night of the 4th of July.

The reports of the brigade commanders are herewith enclosed, to which your attention is called for further particulars and for notices of individual gallantry.

The list of casualties, which was very large, has already been forwarded by Surgeon P. A. Holt, the Medical Director of the division.

Sincerely regretting the loss the division sustained in its two commanders, which has devolved upon me the necessity of writing this report,

I am, Major, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, , Major and Assistant Adjutant-General Light Division.

Owing to the generally received opinion that the battle of Gettysburg was the decisive action of our late civil war, the turning point in the great contest between the North and South, it has evoked far more comment and criticism than has any other battle during that long and bloody struggle. While the accidental, unpremeditated collision which brought on the fight, the unfortunate absence of Stuart's cavalry, the failure of Ewell to attack Cemetery Heights after having whipped Reynolds' and Howard's corps and captured the town, the alleged sluggishness displayed by Longstreet in bringing his troops on the field, the want of prompt and harmonious co-operation between the corps and