The Battle of Gettysburg: The Country, the Contestants, the ResultsStorrick, W. C. (William Clayton)
History
The Battle of Gettysburg: The Country, the Contestants, the Results
Storrick, W. C. (William Clayton)
Gettysburg National Military Park (Pa.); Gettysburg, Battle of, Gettysburg, Pa., 1863
Ewell’s Attack on Meade’s Right.
Ordered by Lee to begin his attack on Meade’s right at the same time as
Longstreet’s attack on Meade’s left, Ewell’s artillery on Benner’s Hill
opened fire on Culp’s Hill and Cemetery Hill where the Union forces were
posted and well protected with earthworks. On account of the destructive
fire from the Union batteries on East Cemetery Hill, Ewell lost most of
his guns, and no infantry advance was made until Longstreet’s assault
had ended. At sundown General Johnson’s infantry advanced against Culp’s
Hill, General Early against East Cemetery Hill. Rodes, who was directed
to move against West Cemetery Hill, was unable to obey instructions.
General Walker, who had been sent east to Brinkerhoff Ridge in the
forenoon, to guard Ewell’s flank, and who was expected to assist in this
attack, was prevented by meeting part of the Union cavalry of Gregg’s
Division that had arrived via Hanover on the forenoon of the 2nd. After
an engagement with Gregg, Walker moved up to assist Johnson, but too
late to be of service, as the attack on Culp’s Hill had ended.
The attack was conducted with the greatest dash and daring, in part up
rough slopes of woodland over heaped boulders. On East Cemetery Hill the
fight among the Union guns was hand to hand, and clubbed muskets,
stones, and rammers were used to drive back the assailants. After sunset
a bright moon illuminated the field. The Union troops stood firm, and at
10 o’clock the Confederates desisted, having captured only a few Union
entrenchments.
[Illustration: Monument of the Irish Brigade.—At the foot of the
Celtic Cross is the Irish wolfhound, symbolic of devotion.]
Situation at End of the Second Day.
Lee’s assaults on Meade’s left had failed to accomplish anything
decisive. While Sickles’ advance-line was driven back and most of the
field, including the Peach Orchard, the Wheatfield, Devil’s Den, and the
base of Big Round Top, was occupied by the Confederates, Meade’s line
was practically intact from the crest of Big Round Top on the left to
near Spangler’s Spring on the right. On the slopes of Round Top, on
Cemetery Hill and Culp’s Hill, the advantage of the defensive positions
multiplied the forces of the defenders in comparison with the attackers
at least three to one. Prodigious deeds of valor were performed by both
armies, and courage of the highest order was displayed in attack and in
the defense. Casualties were very heavy on both sides. Meade estimated
that his losses were 65 per cent of the total for the three days. At the
end of the day he made the following report:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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