[245]
Report of Brigadier-General Wade Hampton.
Major — I avail myself of the first opportunity at which I am able to do so to send in a report of the part taken by my brigade during the battle of Gettysburg. The previous operations of the brigade shall be embodied in a subsequent report as soon as I am well enough to make it out. I send the present report, as I deem it important that it should go in at the earliest moment. The brigade was stationed, on the 2d of July, at Hunterstown, five miles to the east of Gettysburg, where orders came from General Stuart that it should move up and take position on the left of our infantry. Before this could be accomplished, I was notified that a heavy force of cavalry was advancing on Hunterstown, with a view to get in the rear of our army. Communicating this information to General Stuart, I was ordered by him to return and hold the enemy in check. Pursuant to these orders, I moved back and met the enemy between Hunterstown and Gettysburg. After skirmishing a short time he attempted a charge, which was met in front by the Cobb legion, whilst I threw the Phillips legion and the Second South Carolina as supporting forces on each flank of the enemy. The charge was most gallantly made, and the enemy were driven back in confusion to the support of his sharpshooters and artillery, both of which opened on me heavily. I had no artillery at this time, but soon after two pieces were sent to me and they did good service. Night coming on, I held the ground until morning, when I found that the enemy had retreated from Hunterstown, leaving some of his wounded officers and men in the village. The Cobb legion, which led in this gallant charge, suffered quite severely. Lieutenant-Colonel Delaney and several other officers being wounded, whilst the regiment lost in killed quite a number of brave officers and men, whose names I regret not being able to give. On the morning of the 3d July I was ordered to move through Hunterstown and endeavor to get on the right flank of the enemy. In accordance with these orders the brigade passed through the village just named, across the railroad and thence south till we discovered the enemy. I took position on the left of Colonel Chambliss, and threw out sharpshooters to check an advance the enemy were attempting. Soon after, General Fitz. Lee came up and took position on my left. The sharpshooters soon became actively engaged, and succeeded perfectly in keeping the enemy back, whilst the three brigades were held ready to meet any charge made by the enemy. We had, for the three brigades, but two pieces of artillery, whilst the enemy had apparently two batteries in position. In the afternoon, about four and a half o'clock I should think, an order came from General
