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Report of Colonel T. H. Carter.
Headquarters Artillery battalion, August 5th, 1863.
Colonel,--In accordance with special order No. 24, Headquarters Artillery Second Corps, I herein transmit a report of the operations of my battalion in the battle of Gettysburg.
On reaching the field, the 1st of July, the enemy was found to be in possession of a high ridge west of Gettysburg.
Their advance line occupied a small crest still further west, and was engaged with A. P. Hill's corps when we arrived.
Rodes's division was deployed in two lines at right angles to the high crest, and to the enemy's lines of battle.
The batteries of Captain Carter and Captain Fry were ordered to a high point in front of Rodes's line, near the Cashtown turnpike, to enfilade the enemy's lines and batteries, which stretched along the small crest to the railroad cut. The batteries fired with very decided effect, compelling the infantry to take shelter in the railroad cut, and causing them to change front on their right.
The enemy's guns replied slowly.
Owing to the exposed position of Captain Carter's battery, which was unavoidable, it suffered much at this point, having four men killed outright and seven more or less severely wounded.
The enemy finding their position untenable and turned by a strong force, extended their line to their right, to confront us. General Rodes therefore sent for two batteries, and posted them on the left.
Captains Page and Reese, then not engaged, were ordered to report to him.
Captain Page opened from a point at the foot of a high ridge on the infantry advancing on Colonel O'Neal.
The artillery of the enemy by this time had taken position in the valley north of Gettysburg and delivered a very destructive oblique fire on Page's battery; his loss here was heavy--two men killed, two mortally wounded, and twenty-six more or less badly wounded; seventeen horses killed and disabled, but it was borne with unflinching courage by the gallant Captain and his officers and men, until ordered to retire to another position.
General Doles, on the left of the front line of General Rodes's division, reported a large force massing on his front and left near the 