--Kilpatrick Chases the Flying Foe.--Fight at Falling Waters, Last
Act in the Drama.--Great Bravery of Union Troops.--Last Vestige of
the Invaders Wiped Out.--Bivouac and Rest.

The victory at Gettysburg, though purchased at so dear a price, when
announced to the people, produced a deep and widespread joy, which
contributed to make the Fourth of July doubly memorable. The gallant
behavior of our men furnished a theme for general exultation, and the
removal of the threatened disaster foreshadowed in the pompous and
successful invasion, made every true American breathe more freely.

But the work of the soldier was not yet done. The feet of the invaders
were still upon free soil; and though his ranks had been thinned by
desertions, and by unprecedented casualties in battle, and he had been
thwarted in all the important minutiae of his plan, he was still
formidable, and compelled to fight with desperation, if attacked, to
prevent utter destruction.

Some apprehension that the enemy was at least contemplating a speedy
retreat was entertained during the night that followed the third bloody
day. General Pleasonton, chief of cavalry, urged General Meade to
advance in force upon the beaten foe, alleging that they were not only
greatly weakened by their losses, but undoubtedly demoralized, in
consequence of repulse and probable scarcity of ammunition. To ascertain
positively what could be of these probabilities, Pleasonton was directed
to make a reconnoissance toward the Rebel rear. Accordingly, several
detachments of cavalry were thrust out on different roads, where they
rode all night. General Gregg, on our right, went about twenty-two miles
on the road to Chambersburg, and returning early on the morning of the
fourth, reported that the road was strewn with wounded and stragglers,
ambulances and caissons, and general _debris_, which indicated that the
enemy was retreating as rapidly as possible, and was passing through a
terrible season of demoralization. The testimony of the mute witnesses
of disaster was corroborated by that of the many prisoners which easily
fell into Gregg's hands. Other expeditions, returning later in the day,
had similar reports to render of what they had seen and heard. And now
came the time for energetic cavalry movements. While our infantry was
resting, or engaged in burying our own and the Rebel dead within our
lines, the cavalry was despatched to do all the damage it could upon
the retre