MAP ROOM (Lee's Retreat from Gettysburg)

MAP ROOM (Gettysburg June 30th 1863 Night)
MAP ROOM (Gettysburg July 1st 1863 1300-1600)
MAP ROOM (Gettysburg July 1st 1863 1800)
MAP ROOM (Gettysburg July 2nd 1863 1530)
MAP ROOM (Gettysburg July 2nd 1863 2100)
MAP ROOM (Gettysburg July 3rd 1863 Morning)
MAP ROOM (Gettysburg July 3rd 1863 The Charge)

Gettysburg Supplement I (Gettysburg July 1st 1863)
Gettysburg Supplement II (Gettysburg July 2nd 1863)
Gettysburg Supplement III (Gettysburg July 3rd 1863)

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Jul 19 1863 (Sunday)

At 5:00 a.m. John Morgan's troopers awake to find that the ford over the Ohio River at Buffington Island is clear of the Federal troops who had halted their progress last night. Before Morgan can get his troops organized and across the river, a Union scouting party is spotted advancing from the West. General Judah reports, "I traveled all night...; reached Buffington Flats at 5.30 this morning....I took a small advance guard, and..., advanced with my staff to reconnoiter...I had proceeded cautiously but one-fourth of a mile, when I found myself surrounded by the enemy....Finding it impossible to resist the heavy force...brought up against me..., I retreated upon the main body, brought it into action, and, in less than half an hour, completely routed the enemy." When General Hobson's force attacks Morgan from the north and the gunboat Moose advances up the river cutting off access to the ford, Morgan's men find themselves trapped in a deadly crossfire. By 7 a.m. Colonel Basil Duke, commanding the rear guard, is forced to surrender as Morgan makes a desperate attempt to escape with the rest of his shattered command. General Hartsuff reports, "Morgan's force broken up to-day about 1,000 prisoners already captured; a great many killed and wounded. Troops pursuing and picking them up."

BUFFINGTON BAR, [July 19, 1863]--1 p.m. - General BURNSIDE: Two regiments surrendered to General Hobson's force this a.m. More are constantly coming in. Eighty just surrendered to a part of my escort...I have assumed command of all the forces now operating at this point....In assuming command of the forces operating together, I will see that General Hobson receives the fullest credit for the operations of the force under his immediate command. Later, 2 p.m.--The prisoners brought in by Hobson's forces reach 575. General Hobson expects large numbers from Wolford's command, soon expected in. Later.--Wolford has 275 coming in. Unless you order to the contrary, I shall take from prisoners all money and watches, stolen so freely from our citizens, keep an accurate account, and turn the whole over to any officer you may designate....H. M. JUDAH.

Joe Johnston informs President Davis about his plans for defending the Mississippi heartland. "My purpose is to hold as much of the country as I can, and to retire farther only when compelled to do so. Should the enemy cross Pearl River, I will oppose his advance, and, unless you forbid it, order General Bragg to join me to give battle....I [do not expect] Sherman to move through Mississippi at present. He must repair railroads first, and our cavalry can break them behind him." With Johnston's army having retreated out of reach, "Cump" Sherman announces his plans to retreat back to Vicksburg. "The enemy having...escaped eastward by the aid of his railroad, the general commanding announces to all that the purposes for which we sallied forth...have been fulfilled, and this army, after fully completing the destruction of the railroads, will return to the neighborhood of Vicksburg for rest and reorganization." Sherman orders the IX Corps to return "by easy marches" to Milldale, General Ord's XIII Corps to return to Vicksburg, and the XV Corps to cross the Big Black River and return to its old position near Bear Creek. "Cump" continues, "In thus dissolving this army, and returning its parts to their appropriate places General Sherman tenders his personal and official thanks to officers and men for the cordial support he has received from all in thus giving the finishing stroke to the magnificent campaign of Vicksburg."

JACKSON, MISS., July 19, 1863. - Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Comdg. Mississippi Fleet: - DEAR ADMIRAL: We must admit these rebels out-travel us....My heads of columns reached...[Jackson] on the 9th, but the forts and lines were too respectable to venture the assault, and I began a miniature Vicksburg....Having numerous bridges across Pearl River..., and a railroad in full operation to the rear, he succeeded in carrying off most of his material and men....The enemy burned nearly all the handsome dwellings round about the town because they gave us shelter or to light up the ground to prevent night attacks. He also set fire to a chief block of stores in which were commissary supplies, and our men, in spite of guards, have widened the circle of fire, so that Jackson, once the pride and boast of Mississippi, is now a ruined town....The weather is awful hot, dust stifling, and were I to pursue eastward I would ruin my command, and, on a review, I think I have fulfilled all that could have been reasonably expected, and by driving Johnston out of the valley of the Mississippi we make that complete which otherwise would not have been....Most sincerely and truly, your friend, W. T. SHERMAN.

Casualties at Buffington Island: Union 55 Confederate 957.

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Jul 20 1863 (Monday)

A dispute between Generals Judah and Hobson delays the Union pursuit of Morgan's raiders long enough for Morgan to reorganize his command and continue his flight along the Ohio River in search of a serviceable ford. Judah reports, "The complications resulting from two separate commands...are so perplexing that I have assumed command of all the forces...It could not well be avoided, unless I gave up command and left everything to Hobson." When an agitated Burnside responds, "Don't allow anything to stop the pursuit," Judah turns over field command to Hobson and the chase begins. Forced away from the river by Union gunboat fire, Morgan heads inland as his brother Richard Morgan, leading a small force, attempts to double back on the pursuers and escape capture.

HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES FORCES, Geiger's Creek, July 20, 1863--9 p.m. - Lieut. Col. LEWIS RICHMOND. - COLONEL: We chased John Morgan and his command over 50 miles to-day....We succeeded in bringing the enemy to a stand about 3 o'clock this p.m., when a fight ensued, which lasted an hour, when the rebels fled, taking refuge upon a very high bluff. I sent a flag of truce demanding the immediate and unconditional surrender of Morgan and his command. The flag was received by Colonel Coleman and other officers, who came down and asked a personal interview. They asked an hour for consultation amongst their officers. I granted forty minutes, in which time the command, excepting Morgan, who deserted his command, taking with him a very small squad, surrendered....I think I will capture Morgan himself to-morrow....SHACKELFORD, Brigadier-General.

After waiting several days for the Shenandoah River to fall, Robert E. Lee sends his army through the southern gaps in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Lee reports, "I...intended to move into Loudoun [Valley], but the Shenandoah was found to be impassable. While waiting for it to subside, the enemy...seized the passes we designed to use. As he continued to advance along..., apparently with the purpose of cutting us off from the railroad to Richmond, General Longstreet was ordered...to proceed to Culpeper Court-House, by way of Front Royal." Longstreet is to cross the mountains at Chester Gap, with A.P. Hill scheduled to follow. Lee informs Longstreet, "I have directed a pontoon bridge to be laid at Front Royal, and you had better send an officer forward to see its progress."

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, July 20, 1863. - Maj. Gen. J. E. B. STUART, Commanding Cavalry Division: - GENERAL: General A. P. Hill's corps will march to-morrow for Millwood, and the next day continue its march to Rappahannock County. General Ewell will remain for a day or two longer, until we can get off our sick, wounded, &c. I will leave General Sam. Jones' troops and Imboden in the Valley....You must dispose your cavalry to the best advantage, and as soon as [the situation permits], withdraw your cavalry, or such portions from time to time as may be spared, cross the Blue Ridge, and interpose it between the enemy and this army, fronting toward Washington....I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. E. LEE, General.


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Jul 21 1863 (Tuesday)

"Cump" Sherman reports on his destruction of the area surrounding Jackson, Mississippi, to Ulysses Grant. "We have desolated this land for 30 miles about. There are about 800 women and children who will perish unless they receive some relief." After Sherman asks for permission to provide "200 barrels of flour and 100 barrels of salt port," to the mayor of the city, he seeks to offer a separate peace to the people of the region if the Confederate government agrees not to interfere. However, Grant who states, "I am very much opposed to any trade whatever until the rebellion...is entirely crushed," denies Sherman's proposal. "We will fix some plan by which citizens can get necessary supplies....I want it arranged so that no citizen shall be allowed to come to trade....Make no proposition about neutral territory."

JACKSON, July 21, 1863. - General GRANT: I believe the people will appreciate the liberal gift of provisions. I have been compelled to supply on the spot hospitals' and asylums' immediate pressing wants. Would I be justified in making a distinct proposition to the people that if Johnston or President Davis will agree that no Confederate soldiers or guerrillas will operate west of Pearl River, we will establish at Big Black River railroad bridge a kind of trading depot, where the people of Mississippi may exchange their cotton, corn, and produce for provisions, clothing, and family supplies? This would throw on the Confederate Government the necessity of relieving the wants of women and children that are now threatened with starvation and suffering....I profess to know nothing of politics, but I think we have here an admirable wedge which may be encouraged without committing the President or War Department. If prominent men in Mississippi admit the fact of being subdued, it will have a powerful effect all over the South. All the army, except my own corps, is en route for Vicksburg, and having completed the destruction of the railroads and war material, I only delay here to encourage the people to rebel against a Government which they now feel is unable to protect them or support them. I cannot learn of an enemy within 30 miles of me. W. T. SHERMAN, Major-General.

General Wesley Merritt, leading the cavalry detachment ordered to seize and hold Manassas Gap, reports "two small fights...with the enemy at the west end of the gap." Merritt continues, "I at first thought they had only one regiment in my front, but am now convinced that [a] brigade of Corse's division is this side of Front Royal." Assured that Longstreet's and A.P. Hill's men are progressing safely through Front Royal and nearby Chester Gap, R.E. Lee responds to Union claims of capturing an entire brigade of infantry in the rear guard action last week at Falling Waters.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, July 21, 1863. - General S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General, Richmond, Va. - GENERAL: I have seen in the Northern papers...an official dispatch of General Meade, stating that he had captured a brigade of infantry, two pieces of artillery, two caissons, and a large number of small-arms, as this army retired to the south bank of the Potomac....This dispatch has been copied into the Richmond papers, and as its official character may cause it to be believed, I desire to state that it is incorrect. The enemy did not capture any organized body of men on that occasion, but only stragglers and such as were left asleep on the road, exhausted by the fatigue and exposure of one of the most inclement nights I have ever known at this season of the year. It rained without cessation, rendering the road by which our troops marched to the bridge at Falling Waters very difficult to pass, and causing so much delay that the last of the troops did not cross the river at the bridge until 1 p.m. on the 14th. While the column was thus detained on the road, a number of men, worn down with fatigue, lay down in barns and by the roadside, and though officers were sent back to arouse them as the troops moved on, the darkness and rain prevented them from finding all, and many were in this way left behind. The two guns were left in the road. The horses that drew them became exhausted and the officers went forward to procure others. When they returned, the rear of the column had passed the guns so far that it was deemed unsafe to send back for them, and they were thus lost. No arms, cannon, or prisoners were taken by the enemy in battle, but only such as were left behind under the circumstances I have described. The number of stragglers thus lost I am unable to state with accuracy, but it is greatly exaggerated in the dispatch referred to. I am, with great respect, your obedient servant, R. E. LEE, General.

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Jul 22 1863 (Wednesday)

Ulysses Grant presides over the steady dismantling of his Vicksburg army. He reports to Henry Halleck: "I have sent [General] Banks one division...About 7,000 are going up the [Mississippi] river, over 5,000 of them to Helena, and the remainder to West Tennessee....The Ninth Corps...will return to [General] Burnside as fast as transportation can be provided." Grant comments, "It is hoped...that no call will be made for more troops, except in case of great necessity." After Grant informs Halleck that "it seems to me that Mobile is the point deserving the most immediate attention," he turns his attention to Abraham Lincoln's recent message to him. In his first dispatch directly to the President, Grant requests promotions for his chief subordinates, Generals Sherman and McPherson.

HDQRS. DEPT. OF THE TENN., Vicksburg, July 22, 1863. - His Excellency ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President of the United States, Washington, D.C.: I would most respectfully, but urgently, recommend the promotion of Maj. Gen. W. T. Sherman, now commanding the Fifteenth Army Corps, and Maj. Gen. J. B. McPherson, commanding the Seventeenth Army Corps, to the position of brigadier-general of the Regular Army. The first reason for this is their great fitness for any command that it may ever become necessary to intrust to them. Second. Their great purity of character, and disinterestedness in anything except the faithful performance of their duty and the success of every one engaged in the great battle for the preservation of the Union. Third. They have honorably won this distinction upon many well-fought battle-fields....The promotion of such men as Sherman and McPherson always adds strength to our arms. U.S. GRANT.

General Meade, after holding his army in place yesterday, orders an advance down Loudoun Valley. He reports, "On...being satisfied that the enemy's army was in full movement southward toward Culpeper Court-House or Orange Court-House, I directed two corps to cover my depots at Warrenton and White Plains, and threw forward the other five corps to Manassas Gap." A deserter from General Hood's division, interrogated by George Custer, reveals that Hood's division of Longstreet's Corps is "on the march to Front Royal." Custer reports, "He says their pontoons are laid across the [Shenandoah] river at Front Royal...The prisoner stated that the impression in the Southern army is they are going back to where they first started from....The man is very intelligent, rather elderly, and does not intend to reenter the service."

HEADQUARTERS FIRST CAVALRY DIVISION, Near Chester Gap, July 22, 1863--2 p.m. - Assistant Adjutant-General, Cavalry Corps: Longstreet's corps commenced passing through this [Chester] Gap at 6 a.m. yesterday. I stopped his column from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. with my artillery and dismounted men. He finally drove me back with five regiments of rebel infantry, and uncovered the road along the base of the mountain toward Sperryville and Culpeper at 6 p.m. yesterday, and the rebel army, with strong flankers, is still passing on this road. There is no doubt that the rebel army is pushing toward Culpeper on both sides of the mountains as fast as it possibly can....Very respectfully, W. GAMBLE, Colonel, Commanding First Cavalry Brigade.

After capturing over a dozen members of the 54th Massachusetts Colored Infantry last week, General P.G.T. Beauregard asks for instructions from Richmond about how to handle the black prisoners. Secretary of War James Seddon responds, "The joint resolution of the last Congress control the disposition of all negroes taken in arms. They are to be handed over to the authorities of the State where captured to be dealt with according to the laws thereof." However, as most of the prisoners in custody are free blacks from the North and have never been slaves, there is some question as to the legality of turning them over to the civil authorities for the state of South Carolina. The fate of the captured black soldiers also threaten to disrupt the exchange cartel. Confederate Prisoner Exchange Agent William Ludlow explains: "The proclamation of the Hon. Jefferson Davis of December last, and...the act of your Congress in reference to our captured officers..., have caused...a continued suspension of exchanges of officers under the cartel....I have again and again urged you to a return to the cartel, but up to the present moment in vain....Until you consent to a return to the terms prescribed by the cartel for exchanges of officers I shall not consent to any exchanges of them, except on special agreements."

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Charleston, July 22, 1863. - General G. T. BEAUREGARD, Commanding Department: - SIR: I am informed that...certain "negro slaves" of different Confederate States were captured in arms in insurrection against the lawful authority of the State of South Carolina, and associated with them were a number of armed free negroes from the Federal State of Massachusetts..., and also certain commissioned officers of the United States "found serving in company with armed slaves in insurrection against the authority of South Carolina." By proclamation of the President..., it was ordered "that all negro slaves captured in arms be at once delivered over to the executive authorities of the respective States to which they belong to be dealt with according to the laws of said States." Also that the like orders be executed in all cases with respect to all commissioned officers of the United States when found serving in company with armed slaves in insurrection against the authorities of the different States of this Confederacy. The observance and enforcement of the above orders by the officers of the C. S. Army is required by an order from the office of the Adjutant and Inspector General....No action having been as yet taken on your part..., to carry into effect the above orders, I deem it my duty to the State to call your attention to the matter and ask that you will turn over to me the said commissioned officers and slaves to be dealt with according to the laws of this State...I presume, that the slaves would be found in insurrection in the States to which they belong and that he could but mean that they are to be turned over to the executive authorities of those States in which the offense might be committed....The point as to free negroes is for the present reserved till I can correspond directly with the War Department as to their disposition, and I request that they also be retained. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, M. L. BONHAM.

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Jul 23 1863 (Thursday)


Nathaniel Banks announces that he has retaken Brashear City and cleared most of the La Fourche country of Rebel troops. Henry Halleck offers suggestions for Banks' next operation. "Texas and Mobile will present themselves to your attention. The navy are very anxious for an attack upon the latter place, but I think Texas much the most important....While you army is engages in cleaning out Southwestern Louisiana, every preparation should be made for an expedition into Texas."

HDQRS, DEPT. OF THE GULF, NINETEENTH ARMY CORPS, New Orleans, July 23, 1863. Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, Commander-in-Chief, U. S. Army, Washington, D. C.: - GENERAL: Our troops have taken possession again of Brashear City. There is now no enemy between the river and Berwick Bay....It is a misfortune that we could not have captured the force of the enemy that invaded the La Fourche country, but the limited force of the navy and the army, and the complete exhaustion of both, made it impossible to prevent their escape....I trust that the defeat of Lee's army may enable the Government to strengthen my force without delay. There is still strength at Mobile and in Texas, which will constantly threaten Louisiana, and which ought to be destroyed without delay. The possession of Mobile and the occupation of Texas would quiet the whole Southwest, and every effort ought to be made to accomplish this....My forces are stationed on the river at Donaldsonville, Baton Rouge, and Port Hudson. As soon as they can be reorganized, I shall place them in healthy locations for the summer....I have the honor to be, with much respect, your obedient servant, N. P. BANKS, Major-general, Commanding.

Samuel French, III Corps commander, leads the van of the Army of the Potomac into Manassas Gap. It is the hope of General Meade to "intercept a portion of the enemy," before they can escape over the Blue Ridge Mountains. Captain Lowell Purdy describes the march. "The regiment...decamped at 4 o'clock in the morning and marched on the road toward Manassas Gap....My pen can hardly describe the difficulty of ascending and descending the two gigantic mountains...; adding to it a big swamp..., which this regiment had to pass." Around noon the Union infantry strike a portion of General Ewell's Corps. Lee reports, "General Ewell having been detained in the Valley..., Wright's brigade was left to hold Manassas Gap until his arrival....He reached Front Royal...and found General Wright skirmishing with the enemy's infantry, which had already appeared in Manassas Gap. General Ewell supported Wright with Rodes' division, and the enemy was held in check." Although acknowledging that his information is "somewhat contradictory," Meade believes that "but a small portion of [Lee's] army has passed on," and informs General Halleck: "I shall attack his position covering Chester Gap to-morrow at daylight."

HEADQUARTERS WRIGHT'S BRIGADE, Near Culpeper Court-House, Va. - Maj. THOMAS S. MILLS, Assistant Adjutant-General. - MAJOR: About 11 a.m. the enemy appeared in the valley in our front in force--infantry, cavalry, and artillery. About 2 p.m. they formed for an advance. They threw forward two regiments of cavalry and six of infantry as skirmishers. A line of battle of three brigades was formed in rear of these skirmishers....At the first of the skirmishing..., Generals Ewell and Rodes appeared upon the field, stating that re-enforcements were coming up. The enemy's advance was very determined from the first, and, after hard fighting, forced the left and center of our line to retire....Our line now extended about 2 miles, and was very weak, as our numbers were small. Between 4 and 5 p.m. the enemy advanced again, and we resisted them to the utmost of human capacity; fought till our ammunition was exhausted, and, to enable us to fight at all, the ammunition was taken from the killed and wounded, and distributed....The enemy broke our center, forcing us to retire to a line formed of Rodes' troops in our rear, some 600 yards. The Third Georgia held its position till flanked on the left. The enemy in front of this regiment were repulsed three times. After dark, under orders from General Ewell, we commenced our march through Front Royal, by Luray and Thornton's Gap...I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant, C. H. ANDREWS, Captain, Commanding Brigade.


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Jul 24 1863 (Friday)

After finding no Indians to fight near Devil's Lake, Dakota Territory, General Henry Sibley, sent out last spring by General Pope to clear out the Sioux hunting grounds, finds a large body of Sissetons and Wahpetons hunting buffalo near Big Mound (near present day Bismarck). While Sibley and Standing Buffalo, the Sisseton chief, are preparing to meet, a young warrior begins firing at the Federals. Sibley reports, "Parties of Indians, more or less numerous, appeared upon the hills around us, and one of my half-breed scouts..., approached sufficiently near to converse with him....The Indians ventured near the spot where a portion of my scouts had taken position..., and conversed with them in an apparently friendly manner, some of them professing a desire for peace. Surg. Josiah S. Weiser...incautiously joined the group of scouts, when a young savage..., pretended great friendship and delight at seeing him, but when within a few feet treacherously shot him through the heart. The scouts discharged their pieces at the murderer, but he escaped, leaving his horse behind....This outrage precipitated an immediate engagement."

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF MINNESOTA, Camp Carter, Bank of James River. - Maj. J. F. MELINE, Assistant Adjutant-General, Department of the Northwest. - MAJOR: The savages, in great numbers, concealed by the ridges, had encircled those portions of the camp not flanked by the lake..., and commenced an attack....I ascended a hill toward the Big Mound, on the opposite side of the ravine, and opened fire with spherical-case shot upon the Indians....This flank and raking fire of artillery drove them from their hiding places into the broken prairie, where they were successively dislodged from the ridges, being utterly unable to resist the steady advance of the Seventh Regiment and the Rangers, but fled before them in confusion....The savages were steadily driven from one strong position after another, under a severe fire, until, feeling their utter inability to contend longer with our soldiers in the open field, they joined their brethren in one common flight. Upon moving forward with my staff to a commanding point which overlooked the field, I discovered the whole body of Indians, numbering from 1,000 to 1,500, retiring in confusion from the combat, while a dark line of moving objects on the distant hills indicated the locality of their families....I felt convinced of the uselessness of their proceeding farther..., and I accordingly ordered...[a] return to camp....I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. H. SIBLEY, Brigadier-General, Commanding.

When William Rosecrans' Army of the Tennessee halts along the west bank of the Tennessee River, Henry Halleck loses no time in urging Rosecrans to continue the advance. Halleck writes, "You must not wait for Johnston to join Bragg, but must move forward immediately against the latter....Reduce your trains to the lowest point possible, and move rapidly. There is great disappointment felt here at the slowness of your advance. Unless you can move more rapidly, your whole campaign will prove a failure, and you will have both Bragg and Johnston against you." As has become his custom, Halleck softens the official dispatch with a personal note to "Old Rosy."

PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL. - HDQRS. OF THE ARMY, Washington, D.C., July 24, 1863. - Major-General ROSECRANS, Nashville:- GENERAL: The tone of some of your replies to my dispatches lately would indicate that you thought I was unnecessarily urging you forward. On the contrary, I have deemed it absolutely necessary, not only for the country but also for your own reputation, that your army should remain no longer inactive. The patience of the authorities here has been completely exhausted, and if I had not repeatedly promised to urge you forward, and begged for delay, you would have been removed from the command. It has been said that you are as inactive as was General Buell, and the pressure for your removal has been almost as strong as it has been in his case. I am well aware that people at a distance do not appreciate the obstacles and difficulties which they would see if nearer by; but, whether well founded or without any foundation at all, the dissatisfaction really exists, and I deem it my duty, as a friend, to represent it to you truly and fairly; and I think I ought to do so, if for no other reason, because it was at my earnest solicitations that you were given the command. Yours, truly, H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief.

When Henry Halleck complains to General Burnside that "there must be no further delay" in the planned move into East Tennessee, "Old Burn" replies: "All my available cavalry have been after Morgan....A large number of mounted troops are necessary to...keep communication open when we get to East Tennessee." With the Federal noose closing in on John Morgan's raiders, Ambrose Burnside is hopeful that the end of the chase is growing near. He reports, "Morgan crossed the Muskingum [River] at Eagleport this morning. He was checked by the militia near there, and delayed long enough to allow our pursuing force to get close on him. We hope to overtake him soon. He is striking for the Ohio River direct." Throughout the day General Shackelford's five hundred horsemen skirmish with Morgan's rear guard near Washington, Ohio, and force him to flee once again.

HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., SECOND DIV., TWENTY-THIRD A. C., Russellville, Ky. - Lieut. Col. G. B. DRAKE, Assistant Adjutant-General. - COLONEL: I called for 1,000 volunteers with the best horses, who would stay in their saddles as long as I would, without eating or sleeping until we captured Morgan.....We could find but about 500 horses in the command fit for service....Traveling day and night, we came up with the enemy on Friday morning...at Washington. Captain Ward, of the Third Kentucky Cavalry..., had command of the advance. He drove in the rebel pickets, and, by a flank movement, drove the entire rebel force out of the town of Washington, killing and wounding several of the enemy. One mile east of Washington the enemy made a stand, in a dense wood. We formed a line of battle, and soon drove him from his position. He fell back 2 miles, tore up a bridge over a rugged stream, and took a position in the woods on a high hill just beyond the bridge. The advance moved upon his left flank..., and moved up the hill in the face of a heavy fire from the enemy; steadily they moved up and drove him before them. Late Friday evening he burned two bridges over Stillwater, causing considerable delay....I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. M. SHACKELFORD, Brigadier-General, Commanding.

George Meade learns early in the morning that Robert E. Lee's army has eluded him yet again. General Warren reports, "It is now certain that the enemy...have gone off toward Chester Gap." While Meade has to report the bad news to Washington, Lee, with his army safely concentrated near Culpeper Court-House, explains his plans to President Davis. "My intention is...to give the army a few days' rest, and refresh our weary animals....It would seem to have been the intention of the enemy to penetrate the Shenandoah Valley above Winchester, for...last evening he advanced three corps into Manassas Gap."

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, July 24, 1863--8 p.m. (Received, via Warrenton, July 25, 4.10 p.m.) - Major-General HALLECK, General-in-Chief: It was my intention...to attack with my whole force, in the hope of separating the force of the enemy and capturing such portions as had not reached the passes. I regret to inform you that, on advancing this morning at daylight, the enemy had again disappeared, declining battle, and though an immediate advance was made and Front Royal occupied, nothing was seen of him but a rear guard of cavalry with a battery of artillery. I then ascertained that for two days he had been retreating with great celerity....Finding the enemy entirely beyond my reach, I have withdrawn the army from Front Royal, through Manassas Gap, and shall concentrate it in the vicinity of Warrenton and Warrenton Junction for supplies and to establish a base of communication....The enemy is believed to have gone to Culpeper, and probably beyond. GEO. G. MEADE, Major-General.

Despite P.G.T. Beauregard's assurance, "If I complete my circle of fire, [General] Gillmore cannot come within it. Battery Wagner is as good as ever," the battery's commander, General Taliaferro is convinced that "the enemy's land batteries are so near that they soon dismount our land-face guns." Taliaferro concludes, "I think the garrison should be withdrawn to-night." However, Beauregard is adamant. He dispatches an aide to Wagner with instructions to speak to Taliaferro. "Explain to General Taliaferro that we must fight the fleet with sand; that the battery originally was only meant to defend against land approach. The battery must be held as long as possible."

HDQRS. DEPT. OF SOUTH CAROLINA, GEORGIA, AND FLORIDA, Charleston, S.C., July 24, 1863. - Brig, Gen. WILLIAM B. TALIAFERRO, Morris Island: (Through Brig. Gen. R. S. Ripley.) - GENERAL: The batteries designed to render Batteries Wagner and Gregg untenable by enemy if reduced not being completed, it has become exigent that those last batteries should be held to the last extremity. Wagner, being under guns of Sumter and Gregg, should be held by infantry and siege guns alone until its parapets and bomb-proofs are destroyed and no longer afford shelter against artillery. The general regards it almost improbable that another assault will be attempted. Furthermore, the evacuation of Wagner does not necessarily involve immediate abandonment of Gregg, which, with reduced garrison and sharpshooters filling the sand-hills between it and Wagner, may be held for several days longer. When obliged to quit either work, the guns must be thoroughly disabled by spiking, knocking off trunnions, cutting and burning carriages and bomb-proofs, and by blowing up the magazines and parapets. In view of the great improbability of an assault, may it not be well to reduce the garrison to a minimum to-morrow morning just about 2 o'clock? Respectfully, your obedient servant, THOMAS JORDAN, Chief of Staff.


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Jul 25 1863 (Saturday)

Henry Halleck continues to apply pressure on William Rosecrans to advance his army against Braxton Bragg and the Confederates entrenched in Chattanooga. "The great object you will have...is to drive Bragg from East Tennessee before he can be re-enforced by Johnston....There is a large loyal population ready to declare for the Union. The President has repeatedly promised these people relief, and has repeatedly and repeatedly urged that forces for this purpose be pushed forward. The pressure for this movement at this time is so strong that neither you nor I can resist it." In another private note, directly to "Old Rosy", Halleck continues. "While I am blamed here for not urging you forward more rapidly, you are displeased at my doing so. Whatever I have written or telegraphed to you on this subject has been from motives of kindness and friendship. It was my only desire to impress upon you the wishes and expectations of the Government, in order that you might be fully acquainted with those wishes."

NASHVILLE, TENN., July 25, 1863--9 a.m. - Major-General HALLECK, Washington, D.C.: Any disappointment that may be felt at the apparent slowness of our movements would be readily removed by a knowledge of the obstacles and a true military appreciation of the advantages of not moving prematurely. I confess I should like to avoid such remarks and letters as I am receiving lately from Washington, if I could do so without injury to the public service. You will...find the officers of this army as anxious for success, and as willing to exert themselves to secure it, as any member of the Government can be. As to subsistence being drawn from the country over which we are to travel to Chattanooga, it was always barren--with but few fertile spots. Those spots have been gleaned and scraped by rebels with a powerful cavalry force ever since last winter. We shall get some hay and cattle in the region of Fayetteville, Huntsville, and south of there-none south or east of us. We shall move promptly, and endeavor not to go back....W. S. ROSECRANS, Major-general.

The chase across northeastern Ohio continues through the night as John Hunt Morgan feverishly searches for a way to cross the Ohio River. General Brooks reports, "Morgan is still going north. There was skirmishing with him all afternoon, commenced by a body of armed citizens of Steubenville, and followed up by a small cavalry force....General Shackelford was within 4 miles of him when last heard from." The odds for Morgan's escape diminishes with each fresh Federal unit that joins the hunt.

HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., SECOND DIV., TWENTY-THIRD A. C., Russellville, Ky. - Lieut. Col. G. B. DRAKE, Assistant Adjutant-General. - COLONEL: At daylight on Saturday morning...we came up with the enemy 1 mile from Athens, marching on a parallel road one-quarter of a mile from ours....We pressed forward to it in time to see the enemy reversing his column and flying to the woods....Major Way had heavy skirmishing with the enemy, driving them before him....At 10 o'clock...I received a note from him, stating that the enemy was moving from Springfield to Hammersville, and that I could save 5 miles by marching directly from Richmond to that place, and that he would follow the enemy up. The column was at once put in motion on the Hammersville road....At 12 o'clock..., I met Major Rue....He at once reported to me for orders, remarking that he had about 375 fresh men and horses and three pieces of artillery; that he hoped I would give him the advance. I ordered him to...reverse his column, and follow up immediately; that I would give him an opportunity....I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. M. SHACKELFORD, Brigadier-General, Commanding.

The titanic clash that took place at Gettysburg left over 20,000 soldiers, Union and Confederate, wounded and in need of medical care. Unfortunately when the Army of the Potomac marched away, George Meade, expecting another battle very shortly, took most of the medical supplies and doctors assigned to the army with him. It was left to the relief agencies in the North to provide for the injured men, housed in makeshift hospitals, as they wait for transportation to proper medical facilities. Medical Inspector Edward Vollum reports, "The period of ten days following the battle of Gettysburg was the occasion of the greatest amount of human suffering known to this nation since its birth..., Sanitary and Christian Commissions, express companies, fire organizations, bands of generous people of all denominations, and individuals from great distances, all came forward with their offerings, sympathy, and personal services, forming a spectacle at once touching and magnificent, exceeding any similar outburst of sympathy and sacrifice ever witnessed." Vollum blames the railroad companies for much of the suffering. "The railroad companies, who got the only profit of the battle..., alone stood aloof and rendered no aid. Their trains were allowed to go off without a single individual attached to them in any way authorized to minister to the wounded. There was no check-line or means of stopping the train in case of necessity; no way provided for passing from car to car. The cars--ordinary stock and freight cars--were always unclean; no one connected with the companies to clean them; the dung of cattle and litter from freight often remaining to be removed by any extemporized means at hand. There was no water, or vessels to contain it, no lanterns, no straw--absolutely nothing but the bare cars, filthy from the business of transporting freight and cattle."

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 25, 1863. - The SURGEON-GENERAL U.S. ARMY. - GENERAL: I arrived at Gettysburg...on the 8th...No system had as yet been adopted for the transportation of the wounded, nor had this been possible in the deranged condition of the railroad....The railroad authorities were perplexed, and deficient in motive power and rolling stock....The telegraph wires were down, and the obstruction to transportation seemed insurmountable until General Haupt arrived and assumed military control of the road to Hanover Junction....Every train of wounded was placed in charge of a medical officer detailed by Surg. H. Janes. Instruments, dressings, stimulants, &c., were furnished him...Each car was filled with a sufficient quantity of hay, and, on the longer routes, water-coolers, tin cups, bed-pans, and urinals were placed in them, and guarded on the route by some agents of the Sanitary Commission....Before leaving, the wounded were fed and watered by the Sanitary Commission, and often hundreds of wounded, laid over for a night or a part of a day, were attended and fed by the Commission, whose agents placed them in the cars. At Hanover Junction they were again refreshed and fed by the Christian Commission. At Baltimore, the agents of several benevolent societies distributed food bountifully to the wounded in the cars immediately on their arrival; and at Harrisburg the Commissary Department had made arrangements for feeding any number likely to pass that way. Wounded sent from Gettysburg to 22d instant: Union 7,608, Confederate 3,817. Union wounded sent to Baltimore: From Westminister 2,000, From Littleton 2,000. Total sent off 15,425. Union wounded remaining on 22d instant 1,995. Confederate wounded remaining on 22d instant. 2,922. Grand total in our hands 20,342....I endeavored to make up the deficiencies in medical supplies at Gettysburg by telegraphing to Surgeon Simpson, U.S. Army, at Baltimore. In reply, he ordered liberal supplies of alcohol, solution chloride of soda, tincture of iron, creosote, nitric acid, permanganate of potassa, buckets, tin cups, stretchers, bed-sacks, and stationery of all kinds for 10,000 men in field hospitals. On the day after my arrival, the demand for stationery, disinfectants, iodine, tincture of iron, and some other articles was so great and immediate, that I purchased them in Gettysburg, and sent the bills to the quartermaster there for payment. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, EDW. P. VOLLUM, Medical Inspector, U.S. Army. P. S.--I neglected to comment...upon the utter indifference manifested by the railroad companies toward the sufferings and wants of our wounded at Gettysburg, Pa....The only agents of the railroad companies that appeared upon this memorable scene were those sent especially to look after their pecuniary interests, and I can testify to their zeal in getting the actual numbers transported and securing the proper certificates therefor, but beyond this they did nothing.

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