ife and his command was cut to pieces
by the terrific fire of the enemy's artillery and infantry. A
great fight also ensued on the Union right near Rock Creek, between
the Confederate cavalry under Stuart and the main body of the Union
cavalry under General Alfred Pleasanton, in which our cavalry held
the field and drove back Stuart from an attempt to penetrate behind
the Union right. The infantry corps of the two armies were not
again engaged at Gettysburg. Lee drew in his left to compact his
army, holding his cavalry still on his left.

At nightfall, July 4th, Lee, having previously sent in advance his
trains and ambulances filled with sick and wounded, commenced a
retreat by the Fairfield and Emmittsburg roads through Hagerstown
to the Potomac at Williamsport and Falling Waters, his cavalry
covering his rear. The Sixth Corps and our cavalry followed in
close pursuit on the morning of the 5th, but the main body of the
Army of the Potomac marched on the Confederate flank, directed on
Middletown, Maryland. French (left at Frederick) had pushed a
column to Williamsport and Falling Waters, and destroyed a pontoon
bridge and captured its guard and a wagon train. Buford's cavalry
was sent by Meade to Williamsport, where it encountered Lee's
advance, destroyed trains, and made many captures of guns and
prisoners. Recent heavy rains had swollen the Potomac so that it
could not be forded. Most of the Confederate sick and wounded
were, with great effort, ferried over the swollen river in improvised
boats, but not without several days' delay. Lee's army reached
the Potomac on the 11th, having suffered considerable loss during
its retreat in prisoners, arms, and trains. It took up a strong
position, covering Williamsport and Falling Waters, and intrenched.

The Union Army, after reaching Middletown and being reinforced by
French's command and somewhat reorganized, deployed on the 11th
for battle, and on the 12th moved close up to the front of the
Confederate Army. Orders were issued looking to an attack on the
morning of the 13th, but the day was spent in reconnoissances and
further preparations. On the following morning the enemy had
succeeded in crossing the river, and only a rear-guard was taken.

Great disappointment was felt that Meade did not again force Lee
to battle north of the Potomac. Certain it is that Lee's army was
deficient in ammunition for all arms, and rations were scarce.
Lee, in dispatches to