General — I have the honor to submit a detailed report of the operations of this army from the time it left the vicinity of
Fredericksburg early in June to its occupation of the line of the
Rapidan in August.
Upon the retreat of the
Federal army commanded by
Major-General Hooker from
Chancellorsville, it reoccupied the ground north of the
Rappahannock, opposite
Fredericksburg, where it could not be attacked except at a disadvantage.
It was determined to draw it from this position, and, if practicable, to transfer the scene of hostilities beyond the
Potomac.
The execution of this purpose also embraced the expulsion of the force under
General Milroy, which had infested the lower Shenandoah Valley during the preceding
winter and
spring.
If unable to attain the valuable results which might be expected to follow a decided advantage gained over the enemy in
Maryland or
Pennsylvania, it was hoped that we should at least so far disturb his plan for the summer campaign as to prevent its execution during the season of active operations.
The commands of
Longstreet and
Ewell were put in motion, and encamped around Culpeper Courthouse on the 7th of June.
As soon as their march was discovered by the enemy, he threw a force across the
Rappahannock about two miles below
Fredericksburg, apparently for the purpose of observation.
Hill's corps was left to watch these troops, with instructions to follow the movements of the army as soon as they should retire.
The cavalry under
General Stuart, which had been concentrated near Culpeper Courthouse, was attacked on the 9th June by a large force of Federal cavalry, supported by infantry, which crossed the
Rappahannock at Beverly's and
Kelly's fords.
After a severe engagement, which continued from early in the morning until late in the afternoon, the enemy was compelled to recross the river with heavy loss, leaving about five hundred prisoners, three pieces of artillery and several colors in our hands.
General Imboden and
General Jenkins had been ordered to cooperate in the projected expedition into the
Valley,
General Imboden by moving towards
Romney with his command, to prevent the troops guarding the Baltimore and Ohio railroad from reinforcing those at
Winchester, while
General Jenkins advanced directly towards the latter place with his cavalry brigade, supported by a battalion of infantry and a battery of the
Maryland Line.
General Ewell left Culpeper Courthouse on the 10th June.
He crossed the branches of the
Shenandoah near
Front Royal, and reached
Cedarville on the 12th, where he was joined by General
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36]
Jenkins.
Detaching
General Rodes with his division and the greater part of
Jenkins' brigade to dislodge a force of the enemy stationed at
Berryville,
General Ewell, with the rest of his command, moved upon
Winchester,
Johnson's division advancing by the
Front Royal road,
Early's by the
Valley turnpike, which it entered at
Newtown, where it was joined by the
Maryland troops.
Battle of Winchester.
The enemy was driven in on both roads, and our troops halted in line of battle near the town on the evening of the 13th.
The same day the force which had occupied
Berryville retreated to
Winchester on the approach of
General Rodes.
The following morning
General Ewell ordered
General Early to carry an entrenched position northwest of
Winchester, near the
Pughtown road, which the latter officer, upon examining the ground, discovered would command the principal fortifications.
To cover the movement of
General Early,
General Johnson took position between the road to
Millwood and that to
Berryville, and advanced his skirmishers towards the town.
General Early, leaving a portion of his command to engage the enemy's attention, with the remainder gained a favorable position without being perceived, and about 5 P. M. twenty pieces of artillery, under
Lieutenant-Colonel H. P. Jones, opened suddenly upon the entrenchments.
The enemy's guns were soon silenced.
Hays' brigade then advanced to the assault and carried the works by storm, capturing six rifled pieces, two of which were turned upon and dispersed a column which was forming to retake the position.
The enemy immediately abandoned the works on the left of those taken by
Hays, and retired into his main fortifications, which
General Early prepared to assail in the morning.
The loss of the advanced works, however, rendered the others untenable, and the enemy retreated in the night, abandoning his sick and wounded, together with his artillery, wagons and stores.
Anticipating such a movement as soon as he heard of
Early's success,
General Ewell directed
General Johnson to occupy with part of his command a point on the
Martinsburg road about two and a half miles from
Winchester, where he could either intercept the enemy's retreat, or aid in an attack, should further resistance be offered in the morning.
General Johnson marched with
Nicholls' and part of
Stuart's brigades, accompanied by
Lieutenant-Colonel Andrews, with a detachment of his artillery, the Stonewall Brigade being ordered to follow.
Finding the road to the place indicated by
General Ewell difficult of passage in the darkness,
General Johnson pursued that leading by
Jordan's Springs to
Stephenson's depot, where he took a favorable position on the
Martinsburg road, about five miles from
Winchester.
Just as his line was formed, the retreating column, consisting of the main body of
General Milroy's army, arrived, and immediately attacked him. The enemy, though in superior force, consisting of both infantry and cavalry, was gallantly repulsed,
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37]
and finding all efforts to cut his way unavailing, he sent strong flanking parties simultaneously to the right and left, still keeping up a heavy fire in front.
The party on the right was driven back and pursued by the Stonewall Brigade, which opportunely arrived.
That on the left was broken and dispersed by the Second and Tenth Louisiana regiments, aided by the artillery, and in a short time nearly the whole infantry force, amounting to more than twenty-three hundred men, with eleven stands of colors, surrendered, the cavalry alone escaping.
General Milroy, with a small party of fugitives, fled to
Harper's Ferry.
The number of prisoners taken in this action exceeded the force engaged under
General Johnson, who speaks in terms of well deserved praise of the conduct of the officers and men under his command.
In the meantime
General Rodes marched from
Berryville to
Martinsburg, reaching the latter place in the afternoon of the 14th.
The enemy made a show of resistance, but soon gave way, the cavalry and artillery retreating towards
Williamsport, the infantry towards
Shepherdstown, under cover of night.
The route taken by the latter was not known until it was too late to follow, but the former were pursued so rapidly,
Jenkins' troops leading, that they were forced to abandon five of their six pieces of artillery.
About two hundred prisoners were taken, but the enemy destroyed most of his stores.
These operations resulted in the expulsion of the enemy from the
Valley, the capture of four thousand prisoners, with a corresponding number of small arms, twenty-eight pieces of superior artillery, including those taken by
General Rodes and
General Hays, about three hundred wagons and as many horses, together with a considerable quantity of ordnance, commissary and quartermaster's stores.
Our entire loss was 47 killed, 219 wounded, and three missing.
March into Pennsynlvania.
On the night of
Ewell's appearance at
Winchester, the enemy in front of
A. P. Hill at
Fredericksburg, recrossed the
Rappahannock, and the whole army of
General Hooker withdrew from the north side of the river.
In order to mislead him as to our intentions, and at the same time protect
Hill's corps in its march up the
Rappahannock,
Longstreet left Culpeper Courthouse on the 15th, and advancing along the eastern side of the
Blue Ridge, occupied Ashby's and Snicker's gaps.
He had been joined, while at
Culpeper, by
General Pickett, with three brigades of his division.
General Stuart, with three brigades of cavalry, moved on
Longstreet's right, and took position in front of the gaps.
Hampton and
Jones' brigades remained along the
Rappahannock and Hazle rivers, in front of Culpeper Courthouse, with instructions to follow the main body as soon as
Hill's corps had passed that point.
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38]
On the 17th,
Fitz. Lee's brigade, under
Colonel Munford, which was on the road to Snicker's gap, was attacked near
Aldie by the
Federal cavalry.
The attack was repulsed with loss, and the brigade held its ground until ordered to fall back, its right being threatened by another body coming from
Hopewell towards
Middleburg.
The latter force was driven from
Middleburg, and pursued towards
Hopewell by
Robertson's brigade, which arrived about dark.
Its retreat was intercepted by
W. H. F. Lee's brigade, under
Colonel Chambliss, and the greater part of a regiment captured.
During the three succeeding days there was much skirmishing,
General Stuart taking a position west of
Middleburg, where he awaited the rest of his command.
General Jones arrived on the 19th, and
General Hampton in the afternoon of the following day, having repulsed on his march a cavalry force sent to reconnoitre in the direction of
Warrenton.
On the 21st, the enemy attacked with infantry and cavalry, and obliged
General Stuart, after a brave resistance, to fall back to the gaps of the mountains.
The enemy retired the next day, having advanced only a short distance beyond
Upperville.
In these engagements the cavalry sustained a loss of five hundred and ten killed, wounded and missing. Among them were several valuable officers, whose names are mentioned in
General Stuart's report.
One piece of artillery was disabled and left on the field.
The enemy's loss was heavy.
About four hundred prisoners were taken and several stands of colors.
The Federal army was apparently guarding the approaches to
Washington, and manifested no disposition to resume the offensive.
In the meantime the progress of
Ewell, who was already in
Maryland, with
Jenkins' cavalry advanced into
Pennsylvania as far as
Chambersburg, rendered it necessary that the rest of the army should be within supporting distance, and
Hill having reached the
Valley,
Longstreet was withdrawn to the west side of the
Shenandoah, and the two corps encamped near
Berryville.
General Stuart was directed to hold the mountain passes with part of his command as long as the enemy remained south of the
Potomac, and with the remainder to cross into
Maryland, and place himself on the right of
General Ewell, upon the suggestion of the former officer that he could damage the enemy and delay his passage of the river by getting in his rear, he was authorized to do so, and it was left to his discretion whether to enter
Maryland east or west of the
Blue Ridge, but he was instructed to lose no time in placing his command on the right of our column as soon as he should perceive the enemy moving northward.
On the 22d,
General Ewell marched into
Pennsylvania with
Rodes' and
Johnson's divisions, preceded by
Jenkins' cavalry, taking the road from
Hagerstown through
Chambersburg to
Carlisle, where he arrived on the 27th.
Early's division, which had occupied Boonsboroa, moved by a parallel road to
Greenwood, and in pursuance of instructions previously given to
General Ewell, marched
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towards
York.
On the 24th,
Longstreet and
Hill were put in motion to follow
Ewell, and on the 27th, encamped near
Chambersburg.
General Imboden, under the orders before referred to, had been operating on
Ewell's left, while the latter was advancing into
Maryland.
He drove off the troops guarding the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and destroyed all the important bridges on that route from
Martinsburg to
Cumberland, besides inflicting serious damage upon the
Chesapeake and Ohio canal.
He was at
Hancock when
Longstreet and
Hill reached
Chambersburg, and was directed to proceed to the latter place by way of
McConnellsburg, collecting supplies for the army on his route.
The cavalry force at this time with the army, consisting of
Jenkins' brigade and
White's battalion was not greater than was required to accompany the advance of
General Ewell and
General Early, with whom it performed valuable service, as appears from their reports.
It was expected that as soon as the
Federal army should cross the
Potomac,
General Stuart would give notice of its movements, and nothing having been heard from him since our entrance into
Maryland, it was inferred that the enemy had not yet left
Virginia.
Orders were therefore issued to move upon
Harrisburg.
The expedition of
General Early to
York was designed in part to prepare for this undertaking, by breaking the railroad between
Baltimore and
Harrisburg, and seizing the bridge over the
Susquehannah at
Wrightsville.
General Early succeeded in the first object, destroying a number of bridges above and below
York, but on the approach of the troops sent by him to
Wrightsville, a body of Militia stationed at that place, fled across the river, and burned the bridge in their retreat.
General Early then marched to rejoin his corps.
The advance against
Harrisburg was arrested by intelligence received from a scout on the night of the 28th, to the effect that the army of
General Hooker had crossed the
Potomac and was approaching the
South Mountains.
In the absence of the cavalry it was impossible to ascertain his intentions, but to deter him from advancing further west, and intercepting our communications with
Virginia, it was determined to concentrate the army east of the mountains.
Battle of Gettysburg.
Hill's corps was accordingly ordered to move towards
Cashtown on the 29th and
Longstreet to follow the next day, leaving
Pickett's division at
Chambersburg to guard the rear until relieved by
Imboden.
General Ewell was recalled from
Carlisle and directed to join the army at
Cashtown or
Gettysburg, as circumstances might require.
The advance of the enemy to the latter place was unknown, and the weather being inclement, the march was conducted with a view to the comfort of the troops.
Heth's division reached
Cashtown on the 29th, and the following morning
Pettigrew's brigade, sent by
General Heth to procure supplies at
Gettysburg, found it occupied by the enemy.
Being ignorant
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40]
of the extent of his force,
General Pettigrew was unwilling to hazard an attack with his single brigade, and returned to
Cashtown.
General Hill arrived with
Pender's division in the evening, and the following morning, July 1st, advanced with these two divisions, accompanied by
Pegram's and
McIntosh's battalions of artillery, to ascertain the strength of the enemy, whose force was supposed to consist chiefly of cavalry.
The leading division, under
General Heth, found the enemy's videttes about three miles west of
Gettysburg, and continued to advance until within a mile of the town, when two brigades were sent forward to reconnoitre.
They drove in the advance of the enemy very gallantly, but subsequently encountered largely superior numbers, and were compelled to retire with loss,
Brigadier-General Archer, commanding one of the brigades, being taken prisoner.
General Heth then prepared for action, and as soon as
Pender arrived to support him, was ordered by
General Hill to advance.
The artillery was placed in position, and the engagement opened with vigor.
General Heth pressed the enemy steadily back, breaking his first and second lines, and attacking his third with great resolution.
About 2 1/2 P. M. the advance of
Ewell's corps, consisting of
Rodes' division, with
Carter's battalion of artillery, arrived by the
Middletown road, and forming on
Heth's left, nearly at right angles with his line, became warmly engaged with fresh numbers of the enemy.
Heth's troops having suffered heavily in their protracted contest with a superior force, were relieved by
Pender's, and
Early coming up by the
Heidlersburg road soon afterwards took position on the left of
Rodes, when a general advance was made.
The enemy gave way on all sides, and were driven through
Gettysburg with great loss.
Major-General Reynolds, who was in command, was killed.
More than five thousand prisoners, exclusive of a large number of wounded, three pieces of artillery, and several colors, were captured.
Among the prisoners were two
Brigadier-Generals, one of whom was badly wounded.
Our own loss was heavy, including a number of officers, among whom were
Major-General Heth, slightly, and
Brigadier-General Scales, of
Pender's division, severely wounded.
The enemy retired to a range of hills south of
Gettysburg, where he displayed a strong force of infantry and artillery.
It was ascertained from prisoners that we had been engaged with two corps of the army formerly commanded by
General Hooker, and that the remainder of the army, under
General Meade, was approaching
Gettysburg.
Without information as to its proximity, the strong position which the enemy had assumed could not be attacked without danger of exposing the four divisions present, already weakened and exhausted by a long and bloody struggle, to overwhelming numbers of fresh troops.
General Ewell was therefore instructed to carry the hill occupied by the enemy if he found it practicable, but to avoid a general engagement
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until the arrival of the other divisions of the army, which were ordered to hasten forward.
He decided to await
Johnson division, which had marched from
Carlisle by the road west of the mountains, to guard the trains of his corps, and consequently did not reach
Gettysburg until a late hour.
In the meantime the enemy occupied the point which
General Ewell designed to seize, but in what force could not be ascertained owing to the darkness.
An intercepted dispatch showed that another corps had halted that afternoon four miles from
Gettysburg.
Under these circumstances it was decided not to attack until the arrival of
Longstreet, two of whose divisions, those of
Hood and
McLaws, encamped about four miles in the rear during the night.
Anderson's division, of
Hill's corps, came up after the engagement.
It had not been intended to deliver a general battle so far from our base unless attacked, but coming unexpectedly upon the whole Federal army, to withdraw through the mountains with our extensive trains would have been difficult and dangerous.
At the same time we were unable to wait an atack, as the country was unfavorable for collecting supplies in the presence of the enemy, who could restrain our foraging parties by holding the mountain passes with local and other troops.
A battle therefore had become, in a measure, unavoidable, and the success already gained gave hope of a favorable issue.
The enemy occupied a strong position, with his right upon two commanding elevations adjacent to each other, one southeast, and the other, known as
Cemetery Hill, immediately south of the town, which lay at its base.
His line extended thence upon the high ground along the Emmettsburg road, with a steep ridge in rear, which was also occupied.
This ridge was difficult of ascent, particularly the two hills abovementioned, as forming its northern extremity, and a third at the other end on which the enemy's left rested.
Numerous stone and rail fences along the slope served to afford protection to his troops and impede our advance.
In his front the ground was undulating and generally open for about three quarters of a mile.
General Ewell's corps constituted our left,
Johnson's division being opposite the height adjoining
Cemetery Hill, Early's in the centre, in front of the north face of the latter, and
Rodes upon his right.
Hill's corps faced the west side of
Cemetery Hill, and extended nearly parallel to the Emmettsburg road, making an angle with
Ewell's.
Pender's division formed his left,
Anderson's his right,
Heth's, under
Brigadier-General Pettigrew, being in reserve.
His artillery, under
Colonel Walker, was posted in eligible position along his line.
It was determined to make the principal attack upon the enemy's left and endeavor to gain a position from which it was thought that our artillery could be brought to bear with effect.
Longstreet was directed to place the divisions of
McLaws and
Hood on the right of
Hill, partially enveloping the enemy's left, which he was to
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42]
drive in.
General Hill was ordered to threaten the enemy's centre to prevent reinforcements being drawn to either wing, and co-operate with his right division in
Longstreet's attack.
General Ewell was instructed to make a simultaneous demonstration upon the enemy's right, to be converted into a real attack should opportunity offer.
About four P. M.
Longstreet's batteries opened, and soon afterwards
Hood's division, on the extreme right, moved to the attack.
McLaws followed somewhat later, four of
Anderson's brigades, those of
Wilcox,
Perry,
Wright and
Posey, supporting him on the left in the order named.
The enemy was soon driven from his position on the Emmettsburg road, to the cover of a ravine and a line of stone fences at the foot of the ridge in his rear.
He was dislodged from these after a severe struggle, and retired up the ridge, leaving a number of his batteries in our possession.
Wilcox's and
Wright's brigades advanced with great gallantry, breaking successive lines of the enemy's infantry, and compelling him to abandon much of his artillery.
Wilcox reached the foot, and
Wright gained the crest of the ridge itself, driving the enemy down the opposite side; but, having become separated from
McLaws, and gone beyond the other two brigades of the division, they were attacked in front and on both flanks, and compelled to retire, being unable to bring off any of the captured artillery.
McLaws' left also fell back, and it being now nearly dark,
General Longstreet determined to await the arrival of
General Pickett.
He disposed his command to hold the ground gained on the right, withdrawing his left to the first position from which the enemy had been driven.
Four pieces of artillery, several hundred prisoners, and two regimental flags were taken.
As soon as the engagement began on our right,
General Johnson opened with his artillery, and about two hours later advanced up the hill next to
Cemetery Hill with three brigades, the fourth being detained by a demonstration on his left.
Soon afterwards
General Early attacked
Cemetery Hill with two brigades, supported by a third, the fourth having been previously detached.
The enemy had greatly increased the strength of the positions assaulted by
Johnson and
Early by earthworks.
The troops of the former moved steadily up the steep and rugged ascent under a heavy fire, driving the enemy into his entrenchments, part of which were carried by
Stewart's brigade and a number of prisoners taken.
The contest was continued to a late hour, but without further advantage.
On
Cemetery Hill the attack by
Early's leading brigades — those of
Hays, and
Hoke under
Colonel Avery--was made with vigor.
Two lines of the enemy's infantry were dislodged from the cover of some stone and board fences on the side of the ascent and driven back into the works on the crest, into which our troops forced their way and seized several pieces of artillery.
A heavy force advanced against their right, which was without support, and they were compelled to retire,
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bringing with them about one hundred prisoners and four stands of colors.
General Ewell had directed
General Rodes to attack in concert with
Early, covering his right, and had requested
Brigadier-General Lane, then commanding
Pender's division, to co-operate on the right of
Rodes.
When the time of attack arrived,
General Rodes not having his troops in position, was unprepared to co-operate with
General Early, and before he could get in readiness the latter had been obliged to retire from want of expected support on his right.
General Lane was prepared to give the assistance required of him, and so informed
General Rodes; but the latter deemed it useless to advance after the failure of
Early's attack.
In this engagement our loss in men and officers was large.
Maj.-Generals Hood and
Pender,
Brigadier-Generals Jones,
Semmes,
G. T. Anderson and
Barksdale, and
Colonel Avery, commanding
Hoke's brigade, were wounded — the last two mortally.
Generals Pender and
Semmes died after their removal to
Virginia.
The result of this day's operations induced the belief that with proper concert of action, and with the increased support that the positions gained on the right would enable the artillery to render the assaulting columns, we should ultimately succeed, and it was accordingly determined to continue the attack.
The general plan was unchanged:
Longstreet, reinforced by
Pickett's three brigades, which arrived near the battle-field during the afternoon of the 2d, was ordered to attack the next morning, and
General Ewell was directed to assail the enemy's right at the same time.
The latter during the night reinforced
General Johnson with two brigades from
Rodes' and one from
Early's division.
General Longstreet's dispositions were not completed as early as was expected, but before notice could be sent to
General Ewell,
General Johnson had already become engaged, and it was too late to recall him. The enemy attempted to recover the works taken the preceding evening, but was repulsed, and
General Johnson attacked in turn.
After a gallant and prolonged struggle, in which the enemy was forced to abandon part of his entrenchments,
General Johnson found himself unable to carry the strongly fortified crest of the hill.
The projected attack on the enemy's left not having been made, he was enabled to hold his right with a force largely superior to that of
General Johnson, and finally to threaten his flank and rear, rendering it necessary for him to retire to his original position about one P. M.
General Longstreet was delayed by a force occupying the high, rocky hills on the enemy's extreme left, from which his troops could be attacked in reverse as they advanced.
His operations had been embarrassed the day previous by the same cause, and he now deemed it necessary to defend his flank and rear with the divisions of
Hood and
McLaws.
He was, therefore, reinforced by
Heth's division and two brigades of
Pender's, to the command of which
Major-General Trimble was assigned.
General Hill was directed to hold his line with the rest of his command, afford General
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44]
Longstreet further assistance if requested, and avail himself of any success that might be gained.
A careful examination was made of the ground secured by
Longstreet, and his batteries placed in positions which it was believed would enable them to silence those of the enemy.
Hill's artillery, and part of
Ewell's, was ordered to open simultaneously, and the assaulting column to advance under cover of the combined fire of the three.
The batteries were directed to be pushed forward as the infantry progressed, protect their flanks, and support their attacks closely.
About 1 P. M. at a given signal, a heavy cannonade was opened and continued for about two hours with marked effect upon the enemy.
His batteries replied vigorously at first, but towards the close their fire slackened perceptibly, and
General Longstreet ordered forward the column of attack, consisting of
Pickett's and
Heth's divisions, in two lines,
Pickett on the right.
Wilcox's brigade mached in rear of
Pickett's right to guard that flank, and
Heth's was supported by
Lane's and
Scale's brigades under
General Trimble.
The troops moved steadily on under a heavy fire of musketry and artillery, the main attack being directed against the enemy's left-centre.
His batteries reopened as soon as they appeared.
Our own having nearly exhausted their ammunition in the protracted cannonade that preceded the advance of the infantry, were unable to reply, or render the necessary support to the attacking party.
Owing to this fact, which was unknown to me when the assault took place, the enemy was enabled to throw a strong force of infantry against our left, already wavering under a concentrated fire of artillery from the ridge in front, and from
Cemetery Hill on the left.
It finally gave way, and the right, after penetrating the enemy's lines, entering his advance works, and capturing some of his artillery, was attacked simultaneously in front and on both flanks, and driven back with heavy loss.
The troops were rallied and reformed, but the enemy did not pursue.
A large number of brave officers and men fell or were captured on this occasion.
Of
Pickett's three brigade commanders,
Generals Armistead and
Garnett were killed, and
General Kemper dangerously wounded.
Major General Trimble, and
Brigadier General Pettigrew were also wounded, the former severely.
The movements of the army preceding the
battle of Gettysburg had been much embarrassed by the absence of the cavalry.
As soon as it was known that the enemy had crossed into
Maryland, orders were sent to the brigades of
Robertson and
Jones, which had been left to guard the passes of the
Blue Ridge, to rejoin the army without delay, and it was expected that
General Stuart with the remainder of his command would soon arrive.
In the exercise of the discretion given him when
Longstreet and
Hill marched into
Maryland,
General Stuart determined to pass around the rear of the
Federal army with three brigades, and cross the
Potomac between it and
Washington, believing that he would be able by that
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45]
route to place himself on our right flank in time to keep us properly advised of the enemy's movements.
He marched from
Salem on the night of the 24th June, intending to pass west of
Centreville, but found the enemy's forces so distributed as to render that route impracticable.
Adhering to his original plan, he was forced to make a wide detour through
Buckland and
Brentsville, and crossed the
Occoquon at
Wolf Run Shoals on the morning of the 27th.
Continuing his march through Fairfax Courthouse and
Dranesville, he arrived at the
Potomac, below the mouth of
Seneca creek in the evening.
He found the river much swollen by the recent rains, but after great exertion, gained the
Maryland shore before midnight with his whole command.
He now ascertained that the
Federal army, which he had discovered to be drawing towards the
Potomac, had crossed the day before, and was moving towards
Fredericktown, thus interposing itself between him and our forces.
He accordingly marched northward, through
Rockville and West-minister, to
Hanover, Pennsylvania, where he arrived on the 30th, but the enemy advanced with equal rapidity on his left, and continued to obstruct communication with our main body.
Supposing from such information as he could obtain that part of the army was at
Carlisle, he left
Hanover that night, and proceeded thither by way of
Dover.
He reached
Carlisle on the 1st July, when he received orders to proceed to
Gettysburg.
He arrived in the afternoon of the following day and took position on
General Ewell's left.
His leading brigade under
General Hampton encountered and repulsed a body of the enemy's cavalry at
Hunterstown endeavoring to reach our rear.
General Stuart had several skirmishes during his march, and at
Hanover quite a severe engagement took place with a strong force of cavalry, which was finally compelled to withdraw from the town.
The prisoners taken by the cavalry and paroled at various places amounted to about eight hundred, and at
Rockville a large train of wagons coming from
Washington was intercepted and captured.
Many of them were destroyed, but one hundred and twenty-five, with all the animals of the train, were secured.
The ranks of the cavalry were much reduced by its long and arduous march, repeated conflicts and insufficient supplies of food and forage, but the day after its arrival at
Gettysburg it engaged the enemy's cavalry with unabated spirit, and effectually protected our left.
In this action
Brigadier-General Hampton was seriously wounded while acting with his accustomed gallantry.
Robertson's and
Jones' brigades arrived on the 3d July, and were stationed upon our right flank.
The severe loss sustained by the army, and the reduction of its ammunition, rendered another attempt to dislodge the enemy inadvisable, and it was therefore determined to withdraw.
The trains, with such of the wounded as could bear removal, were ordered to
Williamsport on the 4th July, part moving through
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46]
Cashtown and
Greencastle, escorted by
General Imboden, and the remainder by the
Fairfield road.
The army retained its position until dark, when it was put in motion for the
Potomac by the last named route.
A heavy rain continued throughout the night, and so much impeded its progress that
Ewell's corps, which brought up the rear, did not leave
Gettysburg until late in the forenoon of the following day. The enemy offered no serious interruption, and after an arduous march we arrived at
Hagerstown in the afternoon of the 6th and morning of the 7th July.
The great length of our trains made it difficult to guard them effectually in passing through the mountains, and a number of wagons and ambulances were captured.
They succeeded in reaching
Williamsport on the 6th, but were unable to cross the
Potomac on account of the high stage of water.
Here they were attacked by a strong force of cavalry and artillery, which was gallantly repulsed by
General Imboden, whose command had been strengthened by several batteries and by two regiments of infantry which had been detached at
Winchester to guard prisoners, and were returning to the army.
While the enemy was being held in check,
General Stuart arrived with the cavalry, which had performed valuable service in guarding the flanks of the army during the retrogade movement, and after a short engagement drove him from the field.
The rains that had prevailed almost without intermsssion since our entrance into
Maryland, and greatly interfered with our movements, had made the
Potomac unfordable, and the pontoon bridge left at
Falling Waters had been partially destroyed by the enemy.
The wounded and prisoners were sent over the river as rapidly as possible in a few ferry boats, while the trains awaited the subsiding of the waters and the construction of a new pontoon bridge.
On the 8th July the enemy's cavalry advanced towards
Hagerstown, but was repulsed by
General Stuart, and pursued as far as Boonsboroa.
With this exception, nothing but occasional skirmishing occurred until the 12th, when the main body of the enemy arrived.
The army then took a position previously selected, covering the
Potomac from
Williamsport to
Falling Waters, where it remained for two days with the enemy immediately in front, manifesting no disposition to attack, but throwing up entrenchments along his whole line.
By the 13th the river at
Williamsport, though still deep, was fordable, and a good bridge was completed at
Falling Waters, new boats having been constructed, and some of the old recovered.
As further delay would enable the enemy to obtain reinforcements, and as it was found difficult to procure a sufficient supply of flour for the troops, the working of the mills being interrupted by high water, it was determined to await an attack no longer.
Orders were accordingly given to cross the
Potomac that night —
Ewell's corps by the ford at
Williamsport, and those of
Longstreet and
Hill on the bridge.
The cavalry was directed to relieve the infantry skirmishers and bring up the rear.
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The movement was much retarded by a severe rain storm, and the darkness of the night.
Ewell's corps, having the advantage of a turnpike road, marched with less difficulty, and crossed the river by 8 o'clock the following morning.
The condition of the road to the bridge, and the time consumed in the passage of the artillery, ammunition wagons and ambulances, which could not ford the river, so much delayed the progress of
Longstreet and
Hill, that it was daylight before their troops began to cross.
Heth's division was halted about a mile and a half from the bridge to protect the passage of the column.
No interruption was offered by the enemy until about 11 A. M. when his cavalry supported by artillery appeared in front of
General Heth.
A small number in advance of the main body was mistaken for our own cavalry retiring, no notice having been given of the withdrawal of the latter, and was suffered to approach our lines.
They were immediately destroyed or captured with the exception of two or three, but
Brigadier General Pettigrew, an officer of great merit and promise, was mortally wounded in the encounter.
He survived his removal to
Virginia only a few days.
The bridge being clear,
General Heth began to withdraw.
The enemy advanced, but his efforts to break our lines were repulsed, and the passage of the river was completed by one P. M. Owing to the extent of
General Heth's line, some of his men most remote from the bridge were cut off before they could reach it, but the greater part of those taken by the enemy during the movement, supposed to amount in all to about five hundred, consisted of men from various commands, who lingered behind overcome by previous labors and hardships, and the fatigues of a most trying night march.
There was no loss of material except a few broken wagons, and two pieces of artillery which the horses were unable to draw through the deep mud. Other horses were sent back for them, but the rear of the column had passed before their arrival.
The army proceeded to the vicinity of
Bunker Hill and
Darksville, when it halted to afford the troops repose.
The enemy made no effort to follow, except with his cavalry, which crossed the
Potomac at
Harper's Ferry, and advanced towards
Martinsburg on the 16th July.
They were attacked by
General Fitz. Lee with his own and
Chambliss' brigades, and driven back with loss.
When the army returned to
Virginia, it was intended to move into
Loudoun, but the
Shenandoah was found to be impassable.
While waiting for it to subside, the enemy crossed the
Potomac east of the
Blue Ridge, and seized the passes we designed to use. As he continued to advance along the eastern slope, apparently with the purpose of cutting us off from the railroad to
Richmond,
General Longstreet was ordered on the 19th July, to proceed to Culpeper Courthouse by the way of
Front Royal.
He succeeded in passing part of his command over the
Shenandoah in time to prevent the occupation of Manassas and
Chester Gaps by the enemy,
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whose cavalry had already made its appearance.
As soon as a pontoon bridge could be laid down, the rest of his corps crossed the river, and marched through
Chester Gap to Culpeper Courthouse, where it arrived on the 24th.
He was followed by
General A. P. Hill without serious opposition.
General Ewell having been detained in the
Valley by an effort to capture a force of the enemy guarding the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad west of
Martinsburg,
Wright's brigade was left to hold Manassas Gap until his arrival.
He reached
Front Royal on the 23d with
Johnson's and
Rodes' divisions,
Early's being near
Winchester, and found
General Wright skirmishing with the enemy's infantry, which had already appeared in Manassas Gap.
General Ewell supported
Wright with
Rodes' division, and some artillery, and the enemy was held in check.
Finding that the
Federal force greatly exceeded his own,
General Ewell marched through
Thornton s Gap and ordered
Early to move up the
Valley by
Strasburg and
New Market.
He encamped near Madison Courthouse on the 29th July.
The enemy massed his army in the vicinity of
Warrenton, and in the night of the 31st July his cavalry, with a large supporting force of infantry, crossed the
Rappahannock at Rappahannock Station and Kelley's Ford.
The next day they advanced towards
Brandy Station, their progress being gallantly resisted by
General Stuart, with
Hampton's brigade, commanded by
Colonel Baker, who fell back gradually to our lines about two miles south of Brandy.
Our infantry skirmishers advanced and drove the enemy beyond
Brandy Station.
It was now determined to place the army in a position to enable it more readily to oppose the enemy should he attempt to move southward, that near Culpeper Courthouse being one that he could easily avoid.
Longstreet and
Hill were put in motion on the 3d August, leaving the cavalry at
Culpeper.
Ewell had been previously ordered from
Madison, and by the 4th the army occupied the line of the
Rapidan.
The highest praise is due to both officers and men for their conduct during the campaign.
The privations and hardships of the march and camp were cheerfully encountered and borne with fortitude unsurpassed by our ancestors in their struggle for independence, while their courage in battle entitles them to rank with the soldiers of any army and of any time.
Their forbearance and discipline, under strong provocation to retaliate for the cruelty of the enemy to our own citizens, is not their least claim to the respect and admiration of their countrymen and of the world.
I forward returns of our loss in killed, wounded and missing.
Many of the latter were killed or wounded in the several assaults at
Gettysburg and necessarily left in the hands of the enemy.
I cannot speak of these brave men as their merits and exploits deserve.
Some of them are appropriately mentioned in the accompanying
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reports, and the memory of all will be gratefully and affectionately cherished by the people in whose defence they fell.
The loss of
Major-General Pender is severely felt by the army and the country.
He served with this army from the beginning of the war and took a distinguished part in all its engagements, Wounded on several occasions, he never left his command in action until he received the injury that resulted in his death.
His promise and usefulness as an officer were only equalled by the purity and excellence of his private life.
Brigadier-Generals Armistead,
Barksdale,
Garnett and
Semmes died as they had lived, discharging the highest duty of patriots with devotion that never faltered and courage that shrank from no danger.
I earnestly commend to the attention of the
Government those gallant officers and men whose conduct merited the special commendation of their superiors, but whose names I am unable to mention in this report.
The officers of the
general staff of the army were unremittingly engaged in the duties of their respective departments.
Much depended on their management and exertion.
The labors of the
Quartermaster, Commissary and Medical Departments were more than usually severe.
The Inspectors-General were also laboriously occupied in their attention to the troops, both on the march and in camp, and the officers of engineers showed skill and judgment in expediting the passage of rivers and streams, the swollen condition of which, by almost continuous rains, called for extraordinary exertion.
The
Chief of Ordnance and his assistants are entitled to praise for the care and watchfulness given to the ordnance trains and ammunition of the army, which in a long march and in many conflicts were always at hand and accessible to the troops.
My thanks are due to my personal staff for the constant aid afforded me at all times on the march and in the field, and their willing discharge of every duty.
There were captured at
Gettysburg nearly seven thousand prisoners, of whom about fifteen hundred were paroled, and the remainder brought to
Virginia.
Seven pieces of artillery were also secured.
I forward herewith the reports of the corps, division and other commanders, mentioned in the accompanying schedule, together with maps of the scene of operations, and one showing the routes pursued by the army.
Respectfully submitted,
(Signed)