HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF
THE POTOMAC,
Near Gettysburg,
July 3, 1863 — 8.35 p.m.
(Received July 4, 6.10 a.m.)
Major-General HALLECK,
General-in-Chief:
The enemy opened at 1 p.m. from about 150 guns, concentrated
upon my left and center, continuing without intermission for about three hours,
at the expiration of which time he assaulted my left center twice, being upon
both occasions handsomely repulsed, with severe loss to him, leaving in our
hands nearly 3,000 prisoners; among the prisoners, Brigadier-General Armistead
and many colonels and officers of lesser rank. The enemy left many dead upon
the field and a large number of wounded in our hands.
The loss upon our side has been considerable. Major-General
Hancock and Brigadier-General Gibbon were wounded. After the repelling of the
assault, indications leading to the belief that the enemy might be withdrawing,
an armed reconnaissance was pushed forward from the left, and the enemy found
to be in force. At the present hour all is quiet. My cavalry have been engaged
all day on both flanks of the enemy, harassing and vigorously attacking him
with great success, notwithstanding they encountered superior numbers, both of
cavalry and infantry. The army is in fine spirits.
GEO. G. MEADE,
Major-General,
Commanding.
SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the
Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 27,
Part 1 (Serial No. 43), p. 74-5
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