THE FIRST DAY AT GETTYSBURG.

27 2

map i 3 . fj 1

Positions July 1st, 4 tl-it/3:30 P. M,

MAP II.

Positions July Is t,J'8toJ0A..M. &

REFERENCES.

^‘Positions July 1st,' 10:10 to 10:30 A. M.

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MAP 14.

Positions July 1st,ABOUT 4 P.M.

MI-

discovered the advance of alarge Federal force and re-turned to Caslitown. Hillimmediately notified G-eneralsLee and Ewell, informing thelatter that he would advancenext morning on Gettysburg .

Buford, sending Merritt’s brigade to Mechanicstown as guard to his trains,had early on the morning of the 29th crossed into and moved up the Cumbei''land valley via Boonsboro’ and Fairfield with those of Gamble and Devin,and on the afternoon of Tuesday, June 30th, under instructions from PleasoH'ton, entered Gettysburg , Pettigrew’s brigade withdrawing on his approach.

From Gettysburg , near the eastern base of the Green Ridge, and coveringall the upper passes into the Cumberland valley, good roads lead to all i# 1 'portant points between the Susquehanna and the Potomac. It is therefoi' ean important strategic position. On the west of the town, distant nearly halfa mile, there is a somewhat elevated ridgo running north and south, on whichstands the “ Lutheran Seminary.” This ridgo is covered with open woodsthrough its whole length, and is terminated nearly a mile and a half north ofthe seminary by a commanding knoll, bare? 011 its southern side, called OakHill. From this ridge the ground slopes gradually to the west, and agai J1rising forms another ridge about 500 yards from the first, upon which, nearlyopposite the seminary, stand McPherson’s farm buildings. The second ridg 0is wider, smoother, and lower than the first, and Oak Hill, their intersection