Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 37.djvu/129

Rh It also gave me the opportunity of witnessing from the college near the Cashtown road, when the enemy had been put to flight, the confusion which prevailed on Cemetery Hill, and which even without the aid of field glasses was plainly discernible. The casualties of the first day were surprisingly small. Lieut. Wallace had one rifle piece disabled by a solid shot striking it full in the face.

Early on the morning of the second day the battalion with the exception of the Whitworths was placed in position along the crest of the Seminary Ridge extending south from the college. To make room for Pegram to get in line, Rice's battery was withdrawn a short distance in rear and held in reserve. Pegram and Garnett subsequently changed their relative positions. Mine was maintained with little change during the 2d and 3d instants. From this point the country was open to Cemetery Hill opposite, and the heights south of it, and the attack of Anderson's division on the afternoon of the 2d and the greater portion of Pickett's charge on the 3d could be seen to advantage.

During the night of the 1st, skirmish lines were established in the intervening valley between Seminary and Cemetery Hills by both sides, and during the two succeeding days, there were frequent and fierce encounters between the skirmish lines, sometimes supported by heavy reserves. These engagements were frequently participated in by the artillery of both sides.

Along the new line on Pender's front ran for part of the way a rough irregular stone wall or fence from two to three feet high, with occasional gaps a few feet in width. One of Capt. Hurts' guns happened to be placed opposite one of these gaps. The wall afforded some protection, and observing the location of the gun I directed it to be changed; before this could be done, however, a sharp engagement sprang up, and a shot passing through the gap mortally wounded the lieutenant in charge, taking off one of the poor fellow's legs.

General Meade, as we have seen, was at 12:30 P. M. on the 1st still issuing orders looking to the withdrawal of his troops. At 12:30 P. M. he heard of General Reynold's death, and immediately sent Hancock to the front to assume command. Meade's plan