Franklin Repository

Official Report of Gen. Meade.
A Summary of the Results of the Battle.

Headquarters--Army of the Potomac, Oct. 1. To Gen. Halleck. General: I have the honor to submit herewith a report of the operations of this army during the month of July, including details of the battle of Gettysburg, which have been delayed by failure to receive the reports of the several Corps and Division Commanders, who were severely wounded in battle. On the 28th of June I received orders from the President placing me in command of the Army of the Potomac. The situation of affairs was briefly as follows:

The Confederate army, which was commanded by Gen. R. E. Lee, was estimated at over one hundred thousand strong. All that army had crossed the Potomac river and advanced up the Cumberland Valley. Reliable intelligence placed his advance thus: Ewell's corps on the Susquehanna, Harrisburg and Columbia. Longstreet's corps at Chambersburg, and Hill's corps between that place and Cashtown.

The 28th of June was spent in ascertaining the position and strength of the different corps of the army, but principally in bringing up the cavalry which had been covering the rear of the army in its passage over the Potomac, and to which a large increase had just been made from the force previously attached to the defenses of Washington.

Orders were given on this day to Major Gen. French, commanding at Harper's Ferry, to move with seven thousand men to occupy Frederick and the line of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad with the balance of his force, estimated at four thousand, to remove and escort public property to Washington.

On the 29th the army was put in motion, and on the evening of that day it was in position, the left at Emmettsburg, and the right at New Windsor. Buford's division of Cavalry was on the left flank, with his advance at Gettysburg.

Kilpatrick's division was in the front at Hanover, where he encountered this day Gen. Stuart's Confederate cavalry, which had crossed the Potomac at Seneca creek, and passing our right flank, was making its way towards Carlisle, having escaped Gregg's division, which was delayed in taking position on the right flank, by the occupation of the roads by a column of infantry.

On the 30th the right flank of the army was moved up to Manchester, the left still being at Emmettsburg, or in that vicinity, at which place three corps, First, Eleventh and Third, were collected under the orders of Major Gen. Reynolds. Gen. Buford having reported from Gettysburg the appearance of the enemy on the Cashtown road I some force, Gen. Reynolds was directed to occupy Gettysburg.

On reaching that place on the 1st of July, Gen. Reynolds found Buford's Cavalry warmly engaged with the enemy, who had debouched his infantry through the mountains on Cashtown, but was being held in check in the most gallant manner by Buford's Cavalry. Major Gen. Reynolds immediately moved around the town of Gettysburg, and advanced on the Cashtown road, and without a moment's hesitation deployed his advance division, and attacked the enemy, at the same time sending orders for the Eleventh Corps, Gen. Howard, to advance as promptly as possible.

Soon after making his disposition for attack, Major Gen. Reynolds fell mortally wounded; the command of the First Corps devolving on Major Gen. Doubleday, and the command of the field on Major Gen. Howard, who arrived about this time (11:30 A.M.) with the Eleventh Corps then commanded by Major Gen. Schurz. Major General Howard pushed forward two divisions of the Eleventh Corps, to support the First Corps, now warmly engaged with the enemy, on a ridge to the north of the town, and posted his Third Division, with three batteries of artillery, on the cemetery ridge, on the south side of the town.

Up to this time the battle had been with the forces of the enemy debouching from the mountain on the Cashtown road, known to be Hill's corps. In the early part of the action the success was son the enemy's side. Wadsworth's division of the First corps having driven the enemy back some distance, captured numerous prisoners, among them Gen. Archer, of the Confederate army.

The arrival of reinforcementt [sic] to the enemy on the Cashtown road, and the junction of Ewell's Corps coming in on the York and Harrisburg roads, which occurred between one and two o'clock P.M., enabled the enemy to bring vastly superior forces against both the First and Eleventh Corps, outflanking our line of battle and pressing it so severely that about 4 o'clock P.M. Maj. Gen. Howard deemed it prudent to withdraw these two corps to the Cemetery ridge, on the south side of the town, which operation was successfully accomplished; not, however, without considerable loss in prisoners, arising from the confusion incident to portions of both corps passing through the town, and the men getting, confused in the streets. About the time of the withdrawal, Major Gen. Hancock arrived, whom I had despatched to represent me on the field, on hearing of the death of Gen. Reynolds.

In conjunction with Major Gen. Howard, Gen. Hancock proceeded to post the troops on Cemetery Ridge and to repel an attack that the enemy made on our right flank. This attack was not, however, very vigorous, the enemy seeing the strength of the position occupied, seemed to be satisfied with the success he had accomplished, desisting from any further attack this day.

About 7 o'clock P.M., Major Gens. Slocum and Sickles, with the Twelfth Corps and part of the Third, reached the ground, and took post on the right and left of the troops previously posted. Being satisfied, from reports received from the field, that it was the intention of the enemy to support, with his whole army, the attack already made, and reports from Major Gens. Hancock and Howard on the character of the position being favorable, I determined to give battle at this point, and early in the evening first issued orders to all corps to concentrate at Gettysburg, directing all trains to be sent to the rear at Westminster, at 11 P.M. first.

I broke up my head-quarters, which till then had been at Taneytown, and proceed to the field, arriving there at 1 A.M. of the second. So soon as it was light I proceeded to inspect the position occupied and to make arrangements for posting several corps as they should reach the ground.

By 7 A.M. the Second and Fifth Corps, with the rest of the Third, had reached the ground, and were posted as follows: The Eleventh Corps retained its position on Cemetery Ridge, just opposite to the town; the First Corps was posted on the right; the Eleventh on an elevated knoll connecting with the ridge and extending to the south and east, on which the Twelfth Corps was placed, the right of the Twelfth Corps resting on a small stream at a point where it crossed the Baltimore pike, and which formed on the right flank of the Twelfth something of an obstacle.

Cemetery Ridge extended in a westerly and southerly direction, gradually diminishing in elevation till it came to a very prominent ridge called "Round Top," running east and west. The second and Third Corps were directed to occupy the continuation of Cemetery Ridge on the left of the Eleventh Corps, and Fifth Corps, pending the arrival [of] the Sixth Corps, was held in reserve. While these dispositions were being made the enemy was massing his troops on an exterior ridge distant from the line occupied by us from a mile to a mile and a half.

At 2 P.M. the Sixth Corps arrived, after a march of thirty-two miles, which was accomplished from 9 P.M. of the day previous. On its arrival being reported I immediately directed the Fifth Corps to move over to our extreme left and the Sixth to occupy its place as a reserve for the fight.

About 3 P.M. I rode out to the extreme left to await the arrival of the Fifth Corps and post it, when I found that Maj. Gen. Sickles, commanding the Third Corps, not fully apprehending my instructions in regard to the position to be occupied, had advanced, or rather was in the act of advancing his corps some half mile or three quarters of a mile in the front of the line of the Second Corps on a prolongation when it was designed his corps should rest.

Having found Maj. Gen. Sickles, I was explaining to him that he was too far in the advance, and discussing with him the propriety of withdrawing, when the enemy opened upon him with several batteries in his front and his flank, and immediately brought forward columns of infantry, and made a vigorous assault. The Third Corps sustained the shock most heroically. Troops from the Second Corps were immediately sent by Maj. Gen. Hancock to cover the right flank of the Third Corps, and soon after the assault commenced.

The Fifth Corps most fortunately arrived, and took a position on the left of the Third, Maj. Gen. Sykes, commanding, immediately sending a force to occupy "Round Top" ridge where a most furious contest was maintained, the enemy making desperate but unsuccessful efforts to secure it. Notwithstanding the stubborn resistance of the Third Corps, under Maj. Gen. Birney (Maj. Gen. Sickles having been wounded early in the action,) superiority in numbers of corps of the enemy enabling him to outflank its advanced position, Gen. Birney was counseled to fall back and reform, behind the line originally desired to be held.

In the meantime, perceiving the great exertions of the enemy, the Sixth Corps, Maj. Gen. Sedgwick, and part of the First Corps, to which I had assigned Maj. Gen. Newton, particularly Lockwood's Maryland Brigade, together with detachments from the Second Corps, were all brought up at different periods, and succeeded, together with a gallant resistance of the Fifth Corps, in checking, and, finally, repulsing the assault of the enemy, who retired in confusion and disorder about sunset, and ceased any further efforts on our extreme left.

An assault was, however, made about 8 P.M., on the Eleventh Corps, from the left of the town, which was repelled with the assistance of troops from the Second and First Corps. During the heavy assault upon our extreme left, portions of the Twelfth Corps were sent as reinforcements.

During their absence the line on the extreme right was held by a very much reduced force. This was taken advantage of by the enemy, who, during the absence of Geary's Division of the Twelfth Corps, advanced and occupied part of the line.

On the morning of the third, Gen. Geary, having returned during the night, attacked at early dawn the enemy and succeeded in driving him back and reoccupying his former position. A spirited contest was maintained all the morning along this part of the line, Gen. Geary, reinforced by Wheaton's Brigade of the Sixth Corps, maintained his position and inflicted very severe loses on the enemy.

With this exception our lines remained undisturbed till 1 P.M. on the 3d, when the enemy opened from over 125 guns, playing upon our centre and left. This cannonade continued for over two hours, when, our guns failing to make any reply, the enemy, ceased firing, and soon his masses of infantry became visible, forming for an assault on our left and left centre.

An assault was made with great firmness, directed principally against the point occupied by the Second Corps, and was repelled without considerable loss in prisoners, arising from the confusion incident to portions of both corps passing through the town, and the men getting confused in the streets. About the time of the withdrawal, Major Gen. Hancock arrived, whom I had despatched to represent me on the field, on hearing of the death of Gen. Reynolds.

In conjunction with Major Gen. Howard, Gen. Hancock proceeded to post the troops on Cemetery Ridge and to repel an attack that the enemy made on our right flank. This attack was not, however, very vigorous, the enemy seeing the strength of the position occupied, seemed to be satisfied with the success he had accomplished, desisting from any further attack this day.

About 7 o'clock P.M., Major Gens. Slocum and Sickles, with the Twelfth Corps and part of the Third, reached the ground and took post on the right and left of the troops previously posted. Being satisfied, from reports received from the field, that it was the intention of the enemy to support, with his whole army, the attack already made, and reports from Major Gens. Hancock and Howard on the character of the position being favorable, I determined to give battle at this point, and early in the evening first issued orders to all corps to concentrate at Gettysburg, directing all trains to be sent to the rear at Westminster, at 11 P.M. first.

I broke up my head-quarters, which till then had been at Taneytown, and proceeded to the field, arriving there at 1 A.M. of the second. So soon as it was light I proceeded to inspect the position occupied and to make arrangements for posting several corps as they should reach the ground.

By 7 A.M. the Second and Fifth Corps, with the rest of the Third, had reached the ground, and were posted as follows: The Eleventh Corps retained its position on Cemetery Ridge, just opposite to the town; the First Corps was posted on the right; the Eleventh on an elevated knoll connecting with the ridge and extending to the south and east, on which the Twelfth Corps was placed the right of the Twelfth Corps resting on a small stream at a point where it crossed the Baltimore pike, and which formed on the right flank of the Twelfth something of an obstacle.

Cemetery Ridge extended in a westerly and southerly direction, gradually diminishing in elevation till it came to a very prominent ridge called "Round Top," running east and west. The second and Third Corps were directed to occupy the continuation of Cemetery Ridge on the left of the Eleventh Corps, and Fifth Corps, pending the arrival [of] the Sixth Corps, was held in reserve. While these dispositions were being made the enemy was massing his troops on an exterior ridge, distant from the line occupied by us from a mile to a mile and a half.

At 2 P.M. the Sixth Corps arrived, after a march of thirty-two miles, which was accomplished from 9 P.M. of the day previous. On its arrival being reported I immediately directed the Fifth Corps to move over to our extreme left and the Sixth to occupy its place as a reserve for the fight.

About 3 P.M. I rode out to the extreme left to await the arrival of the Fifth Corps and post it, when I found that Maj. Gen. Sickles, commanding the Third Corps, not fully apprehending my instructions in regard to the position to be occupied, had advanced, or rather was in the act of advancing his corps some half mile or three quarters of a mile in the front of the line of the Second Corps on a prolongation which it was designed his corps should rest.

Having found Maj. Gen. Sickles, I was explaining to him that he was too far in the advance, and discussing with him the propriety of withdrawing, when the enemy opened upon him with several batteries in his front and his flank, and immediately brought forward columns of infantry, and made a vigorous assault. The Third Corps sustained the shock most heroically. Troops from the Second Corps were immediately sent by Maj. Gen. Hancock to cover the right flank of the Third Corps, and soon after the assault commenced.

The Fifth Corps most fortunately arrived, and took a position on the left of the Third, Maj. Gen. Sykes, commanding, immediately sending a force to occupy "Round Top" ridge where a most furious contest was maintained, the enemy making desperate but unsuccessful efforts to secure it. Notwithstanding the stubborn resistance of the Third Corps, under Maj. Gen. Birney (Maj. Gen. Sickles having been wounded early in the action,) superiority in numbers of corps of the enemy enabling him to outflank its advanced position, Gen. Birney was counseled to fall back and reform, behind the line originally desired to be held.

In the meantime, perceiving the great exertions of the enemy, the Sixth Corps, Maj. Gen. Sedgwick, and part of the First Corps, to which I had assigned Maj. Gen. Newton, particularly Lockwood's Maryland Brigade, together with detachments from the Second Corps, were all brought up at different periods, and succeeded, together with a gallant resistance of the Fifth Corps, in checking, and, finally, repulsing the assault of the enemy, who retired in confusion and disorder about sunset, and ceased any further efforts on our extreme left.

An assault was, however, made about 8 P.M., on the Eleventh Corps, from the left of the town, which was repelled with the assistance of troops from the Second and First Corps. During the heavy assault upon our extreme left, portions of the Twelfth Corps were sent as reinforcements.

During their absence the line on the extreme right was held by a very much reduced force. This was taken advantage of by the enemy, who, during the absence of Geary's Division of the Twelfth Corps, advanced and occupied part of the line.

On the morning of the third, Gen. Geary, having returned during the night, attacked at early dawn the enemy and succeeded in driving him back and reoccupying his former position. A spirited contest was maintained all the morning along this part of the line, Gen. Geary, reinforced by Wheaton's Brigade of the Sixth Corps, maintained his position and inflicted very severe losses on the enemy.

With this exception our lines remained undisturbed till 1 P.M. on the 3d, when the enemy opened from over 125 guns, playing upon our centre and left. This cannonade continued for over two hours, when, our guns failing to make any reply, the enemy ceased firing, and soon his masses of infantry became visible, forming for an assault on our left and left centre.

An assault was made with great firmness, directed principally against the point occupied by the Second Corps, and was repelled with equal firmness by the troops of that corps, supported by Doubleday's Division and Stannard's Brigade of the First Corps. Du[r]ing this assault both Maj. Gen. Hancock, commanding the left centre, and Brig. Gen. Gibson, commanding the Second Corps, were severely wounded.

This terminated the battle, the enemy retiring to his lines, leaving the field strewed with his dead and wounded, and numerous prisoners in our hands. Buford's division and cavalry after its arduous service at Gettysburg, on the first, was, on the second, sent to Westminster to refit and guard our trains. Kilpatrick's Division, that on the 29th, 30th, and 1st had been successfully engaging the enemy's cavalry, was, on the 3d, sent on our extreme left, on the Emmettsburg road, where good service was rendered in assaulting the enemy's line and occupying his attention.

At the same time Gen. Gregg was engaged with the enemy on our extreme right, having passed across the Baltimore pike and Bonaughtown roads, and boldly attacked the enemy's left and rear. On the morning of the 4th the reconnaissances developed that the enemy had drawn back his left flank, but maintained his position in front of our left, apparently assuming a new line parallel to the mountain.

On the morning of the 5th it was ascertained that the enemy was in full retreat by the Fairfield and Cashtown roads. The Sixth Corps was immediately sent in pursuit on the Fairfield road, and the cavalry on the Cashtown road, and by Emmettsburg and Monterey passes. The 5th and 6th of July were employed in succoring the wounded and burying the dead.

Major Gen. Sedgwick, commanding the Sixth Corps, having pushed on in pursuit of the enemy as far as the Fairfield pass in the mountains, and reporting that Pass as very strong, and one in which a small force of the enemy could hold in check and delay considerable time any pursuing force, I determined to follow the enemy by a flank movement, and accordingly, leaving M'Intosh's Brigade of Cavalry and Neill's Brigade of Infantry to continue harassing the enemy, I put the army in motion for Middletown, Md.

Orders were immediately sent to Maj. Gen. French, at Frederick, to reoccupy Harper's Ferry, and to send a force to occupy Turner's pass, in South Mountain. I subsequently ascertained that Major Gen. French had not only anticipated these orders in part, but had pushed his cavalry force to Williamsport and Falling Waters, where they destroyed the enemy's pontoon bridge and captured its guard. Buford was at the same time sent to Williamsport and Hagerstown.

The duty above assigned to the cavalry was most successfully accomplished, the enemy being greatly harassed, his trains destroyed and many captures in guns and prisoners made. After halting a day at Middletown to procure necessary supplies to bring up trains, the army moved through South Mountain, and by the 12th of July was in front of the enemy, who occupied a strong position on the heighths [sic] of Marsh Run, in advance of Williamsport.

On taking this position several skirmishes and affairs had been had with the enemy, principally by cavalry, from the Eleventh and Sixth Corps. The 18th was occupied by making reconnoissances of the enemy's position and preparations for attack, but on advancing on the morning of the 14th it was ascertained he had retired the night previous by a bridge at Falling Waters and a ford at Williamsport.

The cavalry in pursuit overtook the rearguard at Falling waters capturing two guns and numerous prisoners. Previous to the retreat of the enemy Gregg's Division of cavalry had crossed at Harper's Ferry, and coming up with the rear of the enemy at Charlestown and Shepherdstown, had a spirited contest, in which the enemy were driven to Martinsburg and Winchester, and pressed and harassed in his retreat.

Pursuit was resumed by a flank movement of the army, crossing the Potomac at Berlin, and moving down Loudon Valley. Cavalry were immediately pushed into several passes of the Blue Ridge, and having learned from scouts of the withdrawal of the Confederate army from the lower valley of the Shenandoah, the Third Corps, Major Gen. French, in advance, was moved into Manassa Gap, in the hope of being able to intercept a portion of the enemy.

The possession of the Gap was disputed so successfully as to enable the rear-guard to withdraw by way of Strasburg, the Confederate army retiring to the Rapidan. Position was taken with this army on the line of the Rappahannock, and the campaign terminated about the close of July.

The result of the campaign may be briefly stated, in the defeat of the enemy at Gettysburg, their compulsory evacuation of Pennsylvania and, Maryland, and withdrawal from the upper valley of the Shenandoah, and the capture of 3 guns, 41 standards and 13,621 prisoners, 24,978 small arms were collected on the battle-field.

Our own losses were very severe, amounting, as will be seen by the accompanying return, to 2834 killed, 13,709 wounded and 6643 missing, in all 28,186.

It is impossible, in a report of this nature, to enumerate all the instances of gallantry and good conduct which distinguished our success on the hard-fought field of Gettysburg. The reports of corps commanders and their subordinates, herewith submitted, will furnish all information upon this subject.

I will only add my tribute to the heroic bravery of the whole army, officers and men. which, under the blessing of Divine Providence, enabled the crowning victory to be obtained, which I feel confident the country will never cease to bear in grateful remembrance.

It is my duty, as well as my pleasure, to call attention to the earnest efforts and cooperation on the part of Maj. Gen. D.H. Couch, commanding the Department of the Susquehanna, and particularly to his advance of four thousand men under Brig. Gen. W. F. Smith, who joined me at Boonsboro, just prior to the withdrawal of the Confederate army.

in conclusion, I desire to return my thanks to my staff, general and personal, to each and all of whom I was indebted for unremitting activity and most efficient assistance.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Geo. G. Meade,
Maj. Gen. Commanding,
Brig. Gen. L. Thomas, Adjt. Gen. U.S.A.
Washington, D.C.