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[71] cavalry, of course, did most of the work in the exciting chase; but half a dozen times, when the Rebels made a stand, the infantry came up in time to lend their aid in deciding a contest otherwise equal. The enemy was driven through Ashby's Gap. Vincent halted near Upperville, and the next day returned to the camp of the Fifth Corps. He there received the thanks and commendations of General Meade; and, what was more gratifying, knew that those who had fought under him felt that they had been superbly handled. The Blakely gun captured was a novelty, and attracted much attention. From Aldie Vincent marched his brigade to the neighborhood of Gettysburg with the same promptness and in the same good order that ever characterized its movements. One incident, however, deserves mention. Crossing the Pennsylvania line, Vincent's excitement grew intense; and riding up and down the column, he inspired the men with the same enthusiasm. Especially did he exhort the men of the Pennsylvania regiment to remember that they were to fight on their own soil. The battle of Gettysburg commenced on the 1st of July, about a third of our army attacking the enemy, who were in strong force some miles to the west of the town. We were beaten, and, being forced back through the village, occupied, late in the afternoon, a crest or ridge of hills, which was to be, during the next two days, the scene of the most terrific battle of the war. The enemy neglected to follow up their advantage; and when the hot July sun of the 2d arose, be looked down upon the backs of three additional columns of our troops, already arriving and deploying to take their part in holding the strong position that had been chosen for a defensive battle. Farther across a valley and beyond the town, he saw the faces of equal numbers of foemen hurrying forward and marshalling for attack. Two hundred thousand confident men were preparing for deadly conflict. Vincent had marched twenty-five miles on the 1st, halting only at midnight to catch an hour's sleep in the street of a
Sever and Francis, 1866.
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