June, 1863. |
 |
| Scene of cavalry battle at Hanover.2 |
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[58]
and his evident intention to give battle in full force.
Satisfied of this, Meade issued a short but stirring address to his Army,1 and then sought a good position, where he might easily concentrate his troops, and engage advantageously in the great struggle which he knew was impending.
He chose the line of Big Pipe Creek, on the water-shed between the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay, southeast of Gettysburg, with the hills at Westminster in the rear.
On the night of the 30th, he issued orders for the right wing, composed of General Sedgwick's (Sixth) Corps, to take position at Manchester, in the rear of the Creek; the center, consisting of Generals Slocum (Twelfth) and Sykes's (Fifth) Corps, to move toward Hanover, in advance of the Creek, and the left, nearest the foe, under General John F. Reynolds, formerly of the Pennsylvania Reserves, composed of his own (First), Sickles's (Third), and Howard's (Eleventh), to push on toward Gettysburg, and thus mask the forming of the battle-line on Pipe Creek.
The Second Corps (late Couch's, and then under Hancock) was directed to take position, with the Army Headquarters, at Taneytown, on the road from Emmettsburg to Winchester.
Meade's cavalry, in the mean time, was diligently engaged on his front and flanks.
Buford's division had moved north through Middleburg, and, at noon of the 29th,
occupied Gettysburg.
At about the same hour, Kilpatrick, with his command, while passing through Hanover, was suddenly and unexpectedly assailed by Stuart (then on his march for Carlisle), who led a desperate charge, in person,
on the flank and rear of General Farnsworth's brigade, on the common near the railway at the eastern end of the village.
A severe battle ensued in the town and on its borders, when General Custer, who had advanced to Abbottsville, returned, and the Confederates were repulsed with the loss of
1 “the enemy are on our soil,” he said; “the whole country now looks anxiously to this Army to deliver it from the presence of the foe; our failure to do so will leave us no such welcome as the swelling of millions of hearts with pride and joy at our success would give to every soldier of this Army. Homes, firesides, and domestic altars are involved. The Army has fought well heretofore; it is believed that it will fight more desperately and bravely than ever, if it is addressed in fitting terms. Corps and other commanders are authorized to order the instant death of any soldier who fails in his duty at this hour.”
2 this is from a sketch made from the railway, by the writer, a few days after the battle, and represents the open common on the eastern end of the village, near that road. In the buildings, and also in the fence toward the right of the picture, a number of marks made by pistol-balls might then be seen. Here the battle began, and continued down the street seen near the center of the picture.
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