The columns encountered each other in the neighborhood of Gettysburg--a great centre toward which a number of roads converge, like the spokes of a wheel toward the hub. The head of Hill’s column struck the head of Reynolds’s--then the thunder began. The day and scene were lovely. On the waving wheat-fields and the forests in full foliage, the light of a summer sun fell in flashing splendor. A slight rain had fallen; the wind was gently blowing; and the leaves and golden grain were covered with drops which the sunshine changed to diamonds. Over the exquisite landscape drooped a beautiful rainbow. Soon blood had replaced the raindrops, and the bright bow spanning the sky was hidden by lurid smoke, streaming aloft from burning buildings, set on fire by shell. I give but a few words to this first struggle, which I did not witness. The Federal forces rushed forward, exclaiming:--- “We have come to stay!” “And a very large portion of them,” said one of their officers, General Doubleday, “never left that ground!” Alas! many thousands in gray, too, “came to stay.” Hill was hard pressed and sent for assistance. Suddenly it appeared from the woods on his left, where Ewell’s bayonets were seen, coming back from the Susquehanna. Rodes, the head of Ewell’s corps, formed line and threw himself into the action. Early came up on the left; Rodes charged and broke through the Federal centre. Gordon, commanding a brigade then, closed in on their right flank, and the battle was decided. The great blue crescent was shattered, and gave way. The Confederates pressed on, and the Federal army became a rabble. They retreated pellmell through Gettysburg, toward Cemetery Hill, leaving their battle-flags and five thousand prisoners in our hands. Such was the first day’s fight at Gettysburg. Lee’s head of column had struck Meade’s; each had rapidly been reinforced; the affair became a battle, and the Federal forces were completely defeated. That was the turning point of the campaign. If this success had only been followed up--if we could only have seized upon and occupied Cemetery Hill! Then General Meade would have been compelled to retire upon Westminster and Washington. He would doubtless have fought somewhere, but it is a terrible thing to have an army flushed with victory “after” you! Cemetery Range was not seized that night. When the sun rose the next morning, the golden moment had passed. General Meade was ready. From right to left, as far as the eye could reach, the heights bristled with blue infantry and artillery. From every point on the ridge waved the enemy’s battle flags. From the muzzles of his bronze war-dogs, Meade sent his defiant challenge to his adversary to attack him. “Come on!” the Federal artillery seemed to mutter fiercely. And Lee’s guns from the ridge opposite thundered grimly in reply, “We are coming!” XXIV. THE ARMY. Alas!--