Page:Decisive Battles Since Waterloo.djvu/291

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BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG.
257

foot of the slope on which the 3d corps (Union) was stationed. He was preparing to resume his march when Stannard attacked him on the flank and the Union artillery opened fire. Finding himself unsupported he retreated.

The whole Confederate line was now in retreat. The reserve was not near enough to support it, and the artillery alone aided it. It drew off slowly, and Meade was too cautious to take the offensive. McCandless advanced on Kershaw, had a brief engagement, and captured a few prisoners. The battle of Gettysburg was ended.

Before the day's battle had begun Stuart had received orders to move round the Union right and strike the Union column on the Baltimore turnpike if it should retreat in that direction. He wished to create a panic in the Union rear, and he gathered his four brigades commanded by Chamblin, Jenkens, Fitzhugh Lee, and Hampton, on the western slopes of Cress Ridge.

Kilpatrick's division was on the other side of the ridge, and prepared to oppose him. A vigorous engagement took place on the Rummel farm east of the ridge. The opposing cavalry crossed sabres several times; the battle ended in Stuart being defeated, and he withdrew to cover the retreat of Lee's army.

The battle had thus occupied July 1st, 2d, and 3d. Meade's effective force was from 82,000 to 84,000 men, and 300 guns. Lee's effective force was about 69,000 men, and 250 guns. Each side lost 23,000 men, killed, wounded, and missing. Considering the number of men engaged, about 69,000 Confederates, to 80,000 on the Union side, the percentage is enormous; being 36 per cent, for the former, and 27 for the latter. The official report gave the Union loss 2,834 killed, 13,709 wounded, and 6,645 prisoners, or 23,188 in all. The Confederate total was 23,028, and included 2,665 killed and 12,599 wounded. Fully one thousand of those reported wounded