New York Times - July 4th, 1863
THE GREAT BATTLES.; Our Special Telegrams from the Battle Field to 10 A.M. Yesterday. Full Details of the Battle of Wednesday. No Fighting on Thursday Until Four and a Half, P.M. A Terrible Battle Then Commenced, Lasting Until Dark. The Enemy Repulsed at All Points. The Third Battle Commenced. Yesterday Morning at Daylight. THE REBELS THE ATTACKING PARTY. No Impression Made on Our Lines. The Death of Longstreet,and Barksdale of Mississippi. Other Prominent Rebel Officers Killed or Wounded. A LARGE NUMBER OF PRISONERS. Gen. Sickles' Right Leg Shot Off. OTHER GENERAL OFFICERS WOUNDED. OFFICIAL DISPATCHES FROM GEN. MEADE. THE BATTLE OF WEDNESDAY. REPORTS FROM PHILADELPHIA. THE BATTIE OF THURSDAY. YESTERDAY'S BATTLE. Our Special Telegrams from the Battle Field. NEWS RECEIVED IN WASHINGTON. NEWS RECEIVED IN PHILADELPHIA. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS DISPATCHES. REPORTS FROM HARRISBURGH. REPORTS FROM COLUMBIA, PENN. REPORTS FROM BALTIMORE. THE GREAT BATTLE. COL. CROSS, OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE, KILLED.
Special Dispatches to the New-York Times....
At the close of my last dispatch at 4 1/2 P.M. yesterday, the enemy had just opened a heavy attack by artillery on our left and centre. The tactics of the enemy were soon apparent -- a massing of their main strength on our left flank, which covered the Frederick road, with the determination to crush it. So intent were the enemy on this purpose, that every other part of the lines was left alone.
The fighting was of the most desperate description on both sides. Our gallant men fought as they never fought before. ...
The fighting was so furious that neither party took many prisoners. ...
In Wednesday's fight we were repulsed, simply because we were overpowered and outflanked. ...
The total number of prisoners taken up to this morning was about fifteen hundred -- eight hundred and fifty on Wednesday, and six hundred on Thursday. This is reliable.
The enemy made the attack yesterday. It was terrific, and they threw their whole force into it, but they were finally repulsed with great slaughter.
At daylight this morning the battle was renewed, the cannonading being rapid and heavy. ...
"We bare thus far about 1,600 prisoners, and a small number yet to be started." ...
The battle now became perfectly fearful. The armies engaged each other at very short range, and for three long hours the war of musketry was incessant. I have heard more noise, louder crashes, in other battles, but I never saw or heard of such desperate tenacious fighting as took place on this flank. The enemy would often bring up suddenly a heavy column of men, and force our line back, only to be in turn forced back by our own line of glittering steel. Our gallant columns covered themselves with glory over and over again. They fought a superior force in numbers. The dispositions of the enemy were very rapid, for look where you would on that field a body of rebels would be advancing. Our dispositions were equally rapid, and the enemy found more than their equal in guch gallant veterans as SICKLES and BIRNEY and HUMPRREYS. At half-past six Gen. SICKLES was struck in the right leg by a piece of shell, and borne from the field. The injury was so great that amputation became necessary, and it was performed successfully -- the limb being taken off below the knee. ...
There is much doubt whether the enemy will renew the attack at daylight, but the expression on all hands is, "we are ready." ...
Their officers told him that LEE had no Intention of leaving Pennsylvania, but was going to remain here until his army was destroyed or victorious. ...
A gentleman from Parkton, twenty-six miles from Baltimore, says that cannonading was heard there from noon yesterday until nine o'clock last night.
The cannonading was very heavy and was resumed again at daylight this morning with great fury. ...
The silence of the enemy was ominous.
Shortly after a terrific cannonade was opened on our centre and left, from the rebel batteries, which had been quietly placed in position, having been masked by woods and grain fields. Our rifled guns replied with awful power and telling effect for two hours. ...
The enemy was secreted behind trees, rocks and ledges, and in many cases they were ???etted by our troops or taken prisoners.
Night came at last, and with her sable closed the scene. The result of the day's work may be summed up briefly as follows: LEE had been attacked on his chosen ground, and our centre had driven the rebel lines more than one mile. The Army of the Potomac fought with a gallantry never before equalled during the war. ...
At the close of my last dispatch at 4 1/2 P.M. yesterday, the enemy had just opened a heavy attack by artillery on our left and centre. The tactics of the enemy were soon apparent -- a massing of their main strength on our left flank, which covered the Frederick road, with the determination to crush it. So intent were the enemy on this purpose, that every other part of the lines was left alone.
The fighting was of the most desperate description on both sides. Our gallant men fought as they never fought before. ...
The fighting was so furious that neither party took many prisoners. ...
In Wednesday's fight we were repulsed, simply because we were overpowered and outflanked. ...
The total number of prisoners taken up to this morning was about fifteen hundred -- eight hundred and fifty on Wednesday, and six hundred on Thursday. This is reliable.
The enemy made the attack yesterday. It was terrific, and they threw their whole force into it, but they were finally repulsed with great slaughter.
At daylight this morning the battle was renewed, the cannonading being rapid and heavy. ...
"We bare thus far about 1,600 prisoners, and a small number yet to be started." ...
The battle now became perfectly fearful. The armies engaged each other at very short range, and for three long hours the war of musketry was incessant. I have heard more noise, louder crashes, in other battles, but I never saw or heard of such desperate tenacious fighting as took place on this flank. The enemy would often bring up suddenly a heavy column of men, and force our line back, only to be in turn forced back by our own line of glittering steel. Our gallant columns covered themselves with glory over and over again. They fought a superior force in numbers. The dispositions of the enemy were very rapid, for look where you would on that field a body of rebels would be advancing. Our dispositions were equally rapid, and the enemy found more than their equal in guch gallant veterans as SICKLES and BIRNEY and HUMPRREYS. At half-past six Gen. SICKLES was struck in the right leg by a piece of shell, and borne from the field. The injury was so great that amputation became necessary, and it was performed successfully -- the limb being taken off below the knee. ...
There is much doubt whether the enemy will renew the attack at daylight, but the expression on all hands is, "we are ready." ...
Their officers told him that LEE had no Intention of leaving Pennsylvania, but was going to remain here until his army was destroyed or victorious. ...
A gentleman from Parkton, twenty-six miles from Baltimore, says that cannonading was heard there from noon yesterday until nine o'clock last night.
The cannonading was very heavy and was resumed again at daylight this morning with great fury. ...
The silence of the enemy was ominous.
Shortly after a terrific cannonade was opened on our centre and left, from the rebel batteries, which had been quietly placed in position, having been masked by woods and grain fields. Our rifled guns replied with awful power and telling effect for two hours. ...
The enemy was secreted behind trees, rocks and ledges, and in many cases they were ???etted by our troops or taken prisoners.
Night came at last, and with her sable closed the scene. The result of the day's work may be summed up briefly as follows: LEE had been attacked on his chosen ground, and our centre had driven the rebel lines more than one mile. The Army of the Potomac fought with a gallantry never before equalled during the war. ...
Article Analysis
The New York Times article from July 4th, 1863 describes the Battle of Gettysburg in many ways. First, the article uses several dispatches and reports from militia men to give a primary perspective from the soldiers. This also gives the point of view of Union soldiers. Also, "The Great Battles" describes the actions of the generals to show their tactics. Movement of troops in the Union and the Confederacy are also described. Many reports are given to describe the status of them. The Significance of the Battle was emphasized because it gives details about how "the battle became perfectly fearful." The Battle of Gettysburg is described in the primary source article "The Great Battles."
Letter Home
Dear family,
The horrific Battle of Gettysburg has scarred the Union. For three long days, the Confederate army invaded the town. The Union Army held off the massacre as long as we could. We were pushed back into what could be described as a horseshoe shape. On the third day, Lee advanced in "Pickett's Charge" straight for us, but our army was victorious in holding them off. However, I can never make up for the extensive losses; I was lucky to survive. If we had not kept any high ground, we could have lost even more soldiers.
The Union Army has to capture Richmond before it's too late.
Love,
George Smith
The horrific Battle of Gettysburg has scarred the Union. For three long days, the Confederate army invaded the town. The Union Army held off the massacre as long as we could. We were pushed back into what could be described as a horseshoe shape. On the third day, Lee advanced in "Pickett's Charge" straight for us, but our army was victorious in holding them off. However, I can never make up for the extensive losses; I was lucky to survive. If we had not kept any high ground, we could have lost even more soldiers.
The Union Army has to capture Richmond before it's too late.
Love,
George Smith
Anastasia Barrett, Alessandra Lopez