[72] neighboring village. Daybreak found him deploying his brigade some two miles in rear of the crest which was to be the line of defence. Later in the morning the whole corps was massed on the left of the Baltimore Turnpike, a mile in rear of Cemetery Hill,—our most advanced position. An occasional picket shot could be heard, and now and then the report of cannon. Both sides were resting after the fatigues of the previous day. Gradually the artillery firing became more general. To a careless observer it would seem that the guns woke up and went to work like mortals, an industrious artilleryman beginning early, just as a thrifty shopkeeper takes down his shutters in advance of his less eager neighbors. Two or three hours later there was activity everywhere. By two o'clock the battle had begun. Towards the left there were volleys of musketry, and the quick and sharp bang, bang, bang of the light guns.
But those in reserve were troubling themselves very little about the front Hundreds of little fires were blazing, at which men were boiling coffee and frying pork, while thousands of soldiers were sleeping soundly. Vincent sat all the morning talking with groups of officers, who assembled, from time to time, under the tree before which was planted the flag that designated his Headquarters. There was the same attraction there that there had been in regularly organized camps,—the same kind and courteous greeting awaited officers as they approached,—the same enthusiasm and honest conviction of ultimate success reassured the confident and strengthened the wavering; and there was the same easy and careless conversation among the fearless and reckless. Vincent was the same everywhere. But he felt that the 2d of July was to be a great day, and, as he lay stretched out under the tree, he said it would bring him the commission of a brigadier-general.
Soon after three o'clock this quiet scene ends. Fifteen minutes later the temporary camp is deserted. The division is hurrying to the left almost on a run, to the support of General Sickles, who, with the Third Corps, is fighting desperately, far in advance of the crest designated as the line of defence. Two
