Gettysburg — battle of July 1. |
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served his country in Mexico, in California, and in nearly every important action yet fought in Virginia; returning to fall in defense of the soil of his native State, and almost in sight of his home.
Gen. Abner Doubleday came up half an hour afterward, and assumed command; but the residue of the corps, with the whole of the 11th, did not arrive till nearly two hours later; meantime, the Rebels, under Hill, were too strong, and pushed back Wadsworth's division, eagerly pursuing it. As Wadsworth fell back with his left, and Archer pressed forward on his heels, the right of our division swung around on the rear of the pursuers, enveloping the Rebel advance, and making prisoners of Archer and 800 of his men.
Doubleday fell back to Seminary ridge, just west of the village, where he was joined by the residue of his corps; the 11th coming up almost simultaneously and taking post on his right; Howard ranking Doubleday and assuming command, assigning the 11th corps to Schurz.
Here the struggle was renewed with spirit; our men having the better position, and the best of the fight; until, about 1 P. M., Ewell's corps, marching from York under orders to concentrate on Gettysburg, came rapidly into the battle — Rhodes's division assailing the 11th corps in front, while Early's struck hard on its right flank.
Of course, being greatly outnumbered, the 11th was soon routed, falling back in disorder on Gettysburg, and compelling the 1st, which had hitherto fully held its own, to do likewise — the two divisions, under a heavy Rebel fire, commingling and obstructing each other
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