Southern Historical Society Papers, Volume 27.
Reverend J. William Jones, Ed.

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‘ [57] We reached the hill overlooking Gettysburg with only a slight detention from trains in the way, and moved to the right of the Third corps, and were halted until about noon.’ （Official Records, Volume XXVII, Part II, page 366.)

E. P. Alexander's report states that his battalion of artillery ‘marched with the First corps, and accompanied it * * * to Gettysburg, Pa., where we arrived at 9 A. M. on July 2d.’ （Official Records, XXVII, Part II, page 429.) Captain O. B. Taylor, commanding a battery in Alexander's battalion, reports thus: ‘We arrived there (Gettysburg) about 10 A. M. July 2d.’ Idem, page 432.) It may be remarked in explanation that Alexander's battalion marched at the rear of Longstreet's column, and that it took a leading part in the battle of the 2d day of July. The Washington Artillery marched with Longstreet's troops. In 1885 appeared W. M. Owens's volume, entitled ‘In Camp and Battle with the Washington Artillery.’ On pages 243-4 we find this statement concerning the journey made on the morning of July 2, 1863: ‘After waiting until 2:30 A. M. for a clear road, began our march, and at 8 A. M. reported, ready for action, to General Longstreet on the field.’

An important word remained even yet unspoken. This came at last from the lips of General McLaws on April 27, 1896. He revised his former Gettysburg address-and read it before the Confederate Veterans' Association of Savannah on the date named. From that address I quote: ‘My division arrived at Willoughby Run, about four miles from Gettysburg, at 12 o'clock at night and camped there. During the night I received orders to march on at 4 A. M., but this was countermanded, and I was directed to be ready to move early in the morning. The sun rises about half-past 4 in the first days of July. * * * Not long after sunrise I moved forward, and before 8 A. M. the head of my division reached Seminary Ridge, where General Lee was in person. I was notified that General Lee wished to see me, and my command was halted and I reported to the General. * * * General Longstreet was walking up and down a little way off, apparently in an impatient humor. * * * General Longstreet joined us and said, pointing to the map and speaking to me, “General, I want you to place your division there,” drawing his finger along a line parallel to the Emmitsburg road. “No, General,” said General Lee, “I want his division perpendicular to the Emmitsburg road.” ’ (Addresses Savannah Veterans' Association, 1896, pages 68, 69.)