Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 08.djvu/534

522 division commanders of the Confederate army in attacking the enemy, the comparative numbers engaged on either side, have all been the themes of elaborate discussion and somewhat acrimonious criticism; there is a circumstance connected with the battle, and with Lee's invasion of Pennsylvania, to which scarcely any allusion has been made, and which is involved in a maze of mystery.

It will be remembered that at the close of the second day's fighting, Meade's army had been forced back on both flanks—by Longstreet driving Sickles from the peach orchard on the left, and by Ewell obtaining a foothold within the exterior entrenchments of the Federal army on the extreme right. Notwithstanding these advantages gained by the Confederates, the enemy's main line along the heights had received no material injury, and his numerous batteries in unbroken front, still frowned menacingly upon Lee's gallant "boys in gray." Such being the position at the close of that bloody day, it was with surprise and incredulity that reports were received about midnight from the pickets in advance of Ewell's line that the enemy were retiring. This, on investigation, was found to be seemingly true, the rumbling of heavy wheels betokening, by the receding sounds, the withdrawal of Meade's artillery from our front. There are men now in this city who will bear testimony to the correctness of this statement. For some unexplained reason this retrograde movement was checked, the guns were returned to their former positions, and the dawn of the third of July disclosed Meade's army in full array, presenting the same bold, defiant and formidable front that it had done on the previous evening.

The writer had a circumstance related to him a few months after the war which possibly may throw some light on these mysterious movements in Meade's army. He is induced to recall it at this time on account of having recently come in possession of certain official documents of the Confederate government which have a bearing on the subject.

Ulrich Dahlgren—the same who, as the leader of one of the raiding parties which had for their object the sacking and burning of Richmond, was killed in the vicinity of that city—was badly wounded in the leg in (if our memory serves us right) a cavalry skirmish a few days after the battle of Gettysburg, and carried to Washington, where his limb was amputated. During his confinement in his father's (the Admiral's) house, our informant, a man who was prominent in social and professional circles in that city, paid daily visits to the wounded officer. He was surprised to see that young Dahlgren was the recipient of special and extraordinary courtesies and attentions from the highest magnates of the land. President Lincoln, Secretary Stanton, the most