“A SERIES OF TERRIBLE ENGAGEMENTS”: PENNSYLVANIA, JULY 1863

Lafayette McLaws to Emily McLaws

As the Army of Northern Virginia retreated through Maryland, Major General Lafayette McLaws wrote about his division’s actions at Gettysburg. The unexpected resistance his troops encountered around the peach orchard was caused by the advance of the Union Third Corps toward the Emmitsburg road in the early afternoon of July 2.

Headquarters Division

July 7th/63

My Dear Wife

Since I wrote you last we have had a series of terrible engagements out of which God has permitted me to come unscathed again. On the 1st of July we left Chambersburg and went across the mountains by Fayetteville and Greenwood to Cashtown and camped within five miles of Gettysburg. Where we heard that there had been a considerable battle fought between the forces of the enemy and the Corps of Genls Ewell and Hill, resulting in the route of the enemy with a loss of several thousand prisoners. The next morning we moved around Gettysburg towards the Emmitsburg road, to arrive at the Peach orchard, a small settlement with a very large Peach Orchard attached. The intention was to get in rear of the enemy who were supposed to be stationed principally in rear of Gettysburg or near it. The report being that the enemy had but two regiments of infantry and one battery at the Peach orchard. On arriving at the vicinity of the Orchard, the enemy were discovered in greater force than was supposed, and two of my Brigades were deployed to face the enemy, and the other two in the rear as reserve; ten or twelve pieces were put in position, and fire opened— General Longstreet sent word that he was satisfied there was but a small force of the enemy in front and that I must proceed at once to the assault. On examination it was discovered that the enemy were in much greater force than was expected, and the assualt was delayed, but again delayed and finally I was directed not to assault until General Hood was in position. Gen H had gone around above me to the right, and found that the enemy were very strongly posted on two rocky hills, with artillery and infantry and before he could aid me it was necessary to carry one of the hills—the one nearest to him—which was done by his troops after a desperate encounter, and my division was then ordered in readiness, and as Genl Hoods success became apparent, the Brigades of Kershaw and Semmes were ordered to advance and then those of Barksdale and Wofford, gallantly our men swept the enemy before them, away from the Peach orchard and on to the woods and hills beyond with great slaughter. The enemy in crowds running to our lines. The right Brigades attempted to storm the second hill which was very steep and rocky and bare of trees towards the top, their efforts were however vain and we were obliged to desist. We however occupied the woods beneath the hills, and remained during the night. Genl Barksdale, commanding the Mississippi Brigade was killed, Genl Semmes badly wounded. Colonel Carter of the 13th Miss killed, Colonel Griffin of the 18th Miss & Col Holder 17th Miss. badly wounded, Col de Saussure 15th S.C. killed, Lt. Col. Fiser 17th Miss. Wounded, &c &c. —The loss in my Division was near twenty four hundred, the heaviest of the war, and many of the most valuable officers in the whole service have been killed. Thus ended the battle of the Peach orchard. In place of there being but two regiments of infantry and one battery, the enemy were in very great force, very strongly posted and aided by very numerous arty. I think the attack was unnecessary and the whole plan of battle a very bad one. Genl Longstreet is to blame for not reconnoitering the ground and for persisting in ordering the assault when his errors were discovered. During the engagement he was very excited, giving contrary orders to every one, and was exceedingly overbearing. I consider him a humbug—a man of small capacity, very obstinate, not at all chivalrous, exceedingly conceited, and totally selfish. If I can it is my intention to get away from his command. We want Beauregard very much indeed, his presence is imperatively called for. On the 3d inst, all our available arty was put in position along our lines, and commenced the most tremendous artillery fire I expect ever heard on our continent. We had several hundred cannon and the enemy as many more; finally our troops assaulted the centre, and gained the enemies batteries but were compelled to relinquish our hold and retire to our lines of the day previous to the assualt—where we remained until the next day, when were retired at dark without molestation and reached this place 2 miles from Hagerstown last night about ten oclock. Our men very much fatigued and foot sore, but not disheartened.

The retirement was necessary because it became important to re-establish our communications with the government.

Give a thousand kisses to my dear children, and my dear wife a thousand kisses to you also, and much love indeed. The mail is waiting & I write in a hurry.

Your devoted husband

LM

Be careful in writing as the last mails were captured by the enemy and were of course read by all, & may be published.