Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 37.djvu/117

Rh breakfast, took up its line of march at 8 o'clock along the Emmittsburg pike. Fender left at the same time from the top of South Mountain, and as the two divisions of Heth's and Fender's filed into the Cashtown pike, the rays of the morning sun were already adding to the heat of a sultry day. Heth's division led, the infantry to the front, a battalion of artillery, Pegram's, following; then Fender's Division; a battalion of artillery, McIntosh's, well to the front, the infantry following. The smell of battle was already in the air and the jocularity which always attends the early stages of a march, was tempered by a secret feeling that serious business was ahead. A few miles march brought Heth's skirmishers up against Buford's pickets, and the first scattering shots served as tell-tale messengers that the conflict was at hand. A running fight followed between the dismounted cavalry and the infantry, the former offering a stout resistance wherever the ground afforded cover. At 10:10 A. M. Buford sent to Meade this dispatch, "The enemy's force (A. P. Hill's) are advancing on me at this point and driving my pickets and skirmishers very rapidly. There is also a large force at Heidlersburg that is driving my pickets at that point from that direction. General Reynolds is advancing and is within three miles of this point with his leading division. I am positive that the whole of A. P. Hill's force is advancing." Buford could not then have received Pleasanton's order of July 1st, directing him "to fall back to Taneytown and then to Middletown in case the enemy should advance upon you and press you hard."

When Heth's line of skirmishers paused before a heavy line of dismounted cavalry posted on both sides of the road, he ordered forward his two leading brigades, and Archer moving to the right, formed in line on that side of the road, while Davis moving to the left, formed on the opposite side. Buford had massed his cavalry and posted them along a ridge which extended across the road, as a favorable point to make a stand. Before Heth's brigades had fully deployed, Pegram, who never lost an opportunity to be first in the fight, unlimbered in the road, a section of rifle guns and threw a number of shells at a body of horsemen in the distance. It was currently reported at the time that one of these struck General Reynolds and caused his death. Pegram's