preceded only by General John Buford's division
of cavalry. Lee was then rapidly concentrating his army at
Gettysburg. Reynolds found Buford fiercely engaging infantry of
Hill's corps as they were debouching through the mountains on the
Cashtown road. He promptly moved the First Corps to Buford's
support, and it soon became hotly engaged. The Eleventh Corps,
commanded by General Oliver O. Howard, was ordered to hasten to
join in the battle. Howard arrived about 11.30 A.M., just as
Reynolds fell mortally wounded, and the command of the field devolved
on Howard. He pushed forward two divisions of the Eleventh to the
support of the First Corps, then engaged on Seminary Hill, northeast
of Gettysburg, and posted a third division on Cemetery Ridge, south
of the town. The battle continued with great fierceness on the
Cashtown road. For a time the Union success was considerable, and
the Confederates were forced back, and numerous prisoners, including
General Archer, were captured; but reinforcements from Cashtown
and the unexpected arrival, at 1.30 P.M., over the York and Harrisburg
roads, of Ewell's corps on Howard's right left him outnumbered and
outflanked. He maintained the unequal contest until about 4 P.M.,
then ordered a withdrawal to Cemetery Ridge, which was accomplished
with considerable loss, chiefly in prisoners taken in the streets
of Gettysburg. Meade, learning of Reynolds' death, dispatched
General W. S. Hancock to represent him on the field. Hancock
arrived in time to aid Howard in posting the troops advantageously
on the Ridge, where they handsomely repulsed an attack on the right
flank. Slocum and Sickles' corps arrived about 7 P.M., and were
posted on the right and left, respectively, of those in position.
Hancock reported to Meade the position held was a strong one, and
advised that the army be concentrated there for battle. At 10 P.M.
Meade left Taneytown and reached the battle-field at 1 A.M. of the
2d of July, having, on the reports received, decided to stand and
give general battle there.( 8) The Second and Fifth Corps and the
rest of the Third arrived early on the 2nd. The Second and Third
Corps went into position on the Union left on a continuation of
the ridge towards Little Round Top Mountain. The Fifth was held
in reserve until the arrival of the Sixth at 2 P.M., when it was
moved to the extreme left, the Sixth taking its place in reserve
owing to the exhaustion of its troops, they