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by way of Emmettsburg, and that the roads were clear for any movement he might make.
I had ordered all the trains back, as I came up, to clear the roads.
When I arrived upon the field, about 3 P. M., or between that and 3:30, I found the fighting about over — the rear of our troops were hurrying through the town pursued by the
Confederates.
There had been an attempt to reform some of the Eleventh corps as they passed over
Cemetery Hill, but it had not been very successful.
I presume there may have been 1,000 to 1,200 at most, organized troops of that corps, in position on the hill.
Buford's cavalry, in a solid formation, was showing a firm front in the plain just below (in line of battalions in mass, it is my recollection)
Cemetery Hill, to the left of the
Taneytown road.
I at once sent
Wadsworth's division of the First corps, and a battery of artillery, to take post on
Culp's Hill, on our right.
The remainder of the First corps I placed on the right and left of the
Taneytown road, connecting with the left of the Eleventh corps.
These were the troops already on the battle-field when I had arrived and had made my dispositions.
About the time the above-described dispositions were made,
Williams' division of the Twelfth army corps came upon the field and took position to the right and rear of
Wadsworth's division of the First corps, and, subsequently,
Geary's division of the Twelfth corps arriving, I caused it to move'to our left and occupy the higher ground towards
Round Top, to prevent any local turning of my left, (feeling safe as to the front).
You will perceive that up to the time I transferred the command of our forces on the field to my senior,
Major-General Slocum, who arrived there between 6 and 7 o'clock P. M., these two divisions of his corps (
Williams' and
Geary's) were all the fresh troops that had actually marched on the battle-field.
Please see, on this point, the following extract from my official report of that battle:
...
At this time the First and Eleventh corps were retiring through the town closely pursued by the enemy.
The cavalry of General Buford was occupying a firm position on the plain to the left of Gettysburg, covering the rear of the retreating corps.
The Third corps had not yet arrived from Emmettsburg.
