HAND-TO-HAND FOR RICKETTS'S GUNS ONTHE EVENING OF THE SECOND DAY.SEE P. 313.
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THE THIRD DAY AT GETTYSBURG.,!
BY HENRY J. HUNT, BREVET MAJOR-GENERAL, U. S. A., CHIEF OF ARTILLERY, A. P.
TN view of the successes gained on the second day, General Lee resolved torenew his efforts. These successes were:
1st. On the right, the lodgment at the bases of the Round Tops, the posses-sion of Devil’s Den and its woods, and the ridges on the Emmitsburg road,■which gave him the coveted positions for his artillery.
2d. On the left, the occupation of part of the retrenchments of the TwelfthCorps, with an outlet to the Baltimore pike, hy which all our lines could hetaken in reverse.
3d. At the center, the partial success of three of Anderson’s brigades inPenetrating our lines, from which they were expelled only because theylacked proper support. It was thought that better concert of action mighthave made good a lodgment here also.
Both armies had indeed lost heavily, but the account in that respectseemed in favor of the Confederates, or at worst, balanced. Pickett’s andEdward Johnson’s divisions were fresh, as were Posey’s and Mahone’s bri-gades of R. H. Anderson’s, and William Smith’s brigade of Early’s division.These could be depended upon for an assault; the others could be used assupports, and to follow up a success. The artillery was almost intact. Stuarthad arrived with his cavalry, excepting the brigades of Jones and Robertson,guarding the communications; and Imboden had also come up. GeneralLee , therefore, directed the renewal of operations both on the right and left.Ewell had been ordered to attack at daylight on July 3d, and during the nightreenforced Johnson with Smith’s, Daniel’s, and O’Neal’s brigades. Johnsonhad made his preparations, and was about moving, when at dawn Williams’sartillery opened upon him, preparatory to an assault hy Geary and Ruger forthe recovery of their works. The suspension of this fire was followed by animmediate advance by both sides. A conflict ensued which lasted with vary-111 g success until near 11 o’clock, during which the Confederates were driven
j Continued from p. 313.— Editors.
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