Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 37.djvu/123

Rh soil, and their spirits were animated by the stirring appeals issued from headquarters, admonishing them of their duty and urging them to a supreme and heroic effort. This was manifest in the determined resistance offered to every fresh assault from the Confederate lines, and in the dash with which they delivered a counter-charge. Each side fought with the most desperate valor. There were times often the opposing ranks delivered their deadly volleys almost in each other's faces.

The railroad cuts and embankments played as before, a conspicuous part in affording protection at one moment and serving as a death trap the next. The cut was sometimes raked by artillery and again taken in flank by infantry. The smoke of battle added to the terrific heat of the day, and the suffering of the troops was aggravated by the want of water.

While Howard was sending urgent messages to his own corps, and to those of Slocum and Sickles, to push on as rapidly as possible, Hill, with another division at hand, permitted Heth to cope single-handed with his antagonists. He was waiting to hear from Ewell. When the latter learned from Hill on the morning of the 1st that he was advancing on Gettysburg, Rodes' division, moving in the direction of Cashtown, was turned to the left at Middletown, and its course directed towards Gettysburg. It was after 2 o'clock when the bright steel barrels of Rodes' men were seen glistening in the sun as his brigades emerged from the woods and deployed on the slopes of Oak Hill. They were none too soon, for Heth's men were well nigh exhausted, and they welcomed the hour of relief. The three leading brigades of Rodes' moved across the slope in splendid style, with ranks evenly dressed, at right angles to Heath's front, with the purpose of taking the enemy in flank and rear. The distance to be traversed was greater than expected, and unexpected obstacles made several changes of direction necessary. Before the enemy was reached, Robinson's division had been moved forward to connect with Wadsworth's right, forming at the junction, the apex of an angle, while Schurz's division was pushed forward on Robinson's right, leaving, however, a gap between.

Iverson's and O'Neil's brigades, sent forward by Rodes, missed their direction, and became involved in much confusion, during