Oxford Democrat

The Battle of Gettysburg.

We are only able to present an outline of the great battle fought near Gettysburg, on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of last week. During the first part of the week Gen. Lee had crossed the Potomac with his entire army numbering not less than one hundred thousand men and two hundred and fifty pieces of artillery. Gen. Meade, who had recently assumed command of the Army of the Potomac, rapidly made his dispositions for the approaching conflict. The battle opened on Wednesday by a premature movement of Gen. Reynolds, who was in the advance near Gettysburg, in which the 1st Corps under Gen. Reynolds and the 11th under Gen. Howard became engaged with an immensely superior force of the enemy. At an early stage of the battle Gen. Reynolds was killed and Gen. Howard took the command. The 11th corps, whose unmanly panic at Chancellorsville ruined the fortunes of that ill-starred battle, more than redeemed themselves on this occasion. It is said they fought with almost superhuman courage and determination, the terrible carnage which they inflicted on the rebel foe, and which they in turn received, sufficiently attest the fact. The 2d and 3d corps acted as a reserve in this engagement, and assisted in arresting the advance of the enemy and in gaining an advantageous position for the renewal of the battle on the following day.

About 4 o'clock in the afternoon, the rebel cannonade opened on the left of our position, occupied by General Sickles and Hancock of the 3d and 2d corps, which was soon increased to a most terrific degree, accompanied by repeated onslaughts with their infantry. Between four and six o'clock they drove back the enemy a mile and a half, capturing a large number of prisoners and remaining masters of the field. This is described as one of the fiercest conflicts of the war, and the losses on both sides were terrible. Gen. Sickles had a leg shot off is doing well. On Friday morning the ball was opened by Gen. Gray taking some rifle pits from the rebels. The firing was kept up fiercely for three hours, when the rebels assaulted the left and centre of our army, with artillery, followed by a tremendous infantry assault, coming up in masses in close column. Our men stood the shock with great bravery, and the canister from our batteries told fearfully among their ranks. They are represented as coming within twenty yards of our guns, while volleys went among them crattering them in all directions. The slaughter here was fearful. A panic seemed to seize the enemy, many laid down on the ground to escape our fire, and held up pieces of white paper in token of surrender. Thousands of them were taken prisoners, and many stragglers came into our lines giving themselves up. Hancock's corps now flanked the field which fell into our hands, strewn with wounded, battle flags and arms. After twelve hours incessant fighting the contest terminated, our troops being victorious at every point. Both sides have lost heavily. We have captured from 12,000 to 20,000 prisoners, more than quadruple what the rebels have captured.

It is said the Potomac is so high that Lee cannot cross, and that he intends to fight. His first line of battle is on the field of Antietam. Ewell is reported killed. Early's command has been cut off.