Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 37.djvu/122

114 the enemy in the same proportion. It has been said, too, of Reynolds that he committed a blunder, which cost him his life, in not halting at Cemetery Heights instead of rushing his men on to Seminary Ridge, but he acted on the true military instinct which impelled him to the firing line where assistance was wanted, and his action in doing so has made him the Federal hero of the battlefield."

Could Hill have known the strength of the force in his front, he could have overwhelmed it at the first with his superior numbers, and moved to the occupation of Gettysburg and the surrounding heights, and such it now seems would have been the thing to do. But in ignorance of the situation and knowing the wishes of the Commander he temporized for delay and for the arrival of Ewell. As the result proved, the policy cost him dearly.

When Archer's brigade was shattered, and Davis driven back, the Federal infantry occupied substantially the same positions they did when the fight opened. Heth now moved Pettigrew's brigade forward to his centre, and placed the remainder of Archer's brigade on the right, while Brockenbrough's brigade was moved up on Pettigrew's left and reinforced Davis. These movements occupied some time, during which a spirited artillery fire was kept up on both sides, the advantage being apparently with the Confederates. In the meantime the Federal forces were not idle. The two remaining divisions of the first corps had come on the ground. The first under Robinson was held for a time in reserve on Seminary Ridge, and the other under Rowley was advanced to the support of Wadsworth. General Howard, with the eleventh corps, was also near at hand. He had ridden in advance of his corps, and upon arriving on the field, took over the command from Doubleday, and turned over the command of his own corps to Schurz.

When the attack was renewed the contest waxed fiercer if possible, than before. Those engaged at the first had recovered their wind and replenished their ammunition, while the fresh troops who had only scented the battle were full of zeal and confident they would be able to turn the scale.

The Northern troops felt the influence of being on their own