From official dispatches sent from Headquarters, Army of the Potomac, to
the War Department, during the progress of the third day's fighting, which
were given out to the Associated Press about midnight, being held back
until assured that the Union Army was victorious.
"Gettysburg, July 3d, 3 P. M.--A great attack is now being made on
our left center by a powerful column of Rebels. We can see them
advancing in hosts. Their lines are half a mile in length. They have
to march a mile before they can strike a line. All of our artillery
has now opened on them and we can see them falling by hundreds. In a
few minutes they will strike our line, and the fight will be at close
quarters."
"Gettysburg, July 3d, 4.30 P. M.--We have won a great victory. The
fight is over and the Rebel lines hurled back in wild disorder.
Longstreet's whole Corps seems to have been swept away, from our
fire. The field is covered with Rebel dead. Wild cheers ring out from
every part of our lines. Thousands of Rebel prisoners are being
brought in. Sheaves of battle flags and thousands of small arms are
being gathered in by our men. The rejoicing among our men is
indescribable."
"Gettysburg, July 3d, 5 P. M.--Our victory is more complete than we
could dare hope for. An immense column of the enemy, at least 20,000
strong, attacked our left center and were utterly destroyed by our
fire. The column consisted of Longstreet's Corps, and but few of them
are left. Nearly all were either killed, wounded, or are now
prisoners in our hands. I hear that Hancock, Gibbon and Webb are
severely wounded. The Philadelphia Brigade is almost destroyed. They
met the most violent rush of the enemy and lost terribly. Col.
O'Kane, of the 69th, is killed, and there is hardly a field officer
left in the Brigade."
"Gettysburg, July 3d, 10 P. M.--Our victory grows more complete as we
get time to realize its magnitude. It looks as though nearly all of
Longstreet's Corps had been destroyed. The field in front of the
Second Corps, where the brunt of the attack fell, is covered with
Rebel dead. In front of the Philadelphia Brigade they lie in great
piles. Hundreds of Rebel officers are among the fallen. Gen.
Armistead, of Pickett's Division, fell within our lines. He was shot
through the body and is now dying. The Rebel Generals Garnet and
Kemper, fell in front of the 69th and 71st Pennsylvania Volunteers.
All the field officers of the former Regiment are killed. The
slaughter on both sides has indeed been frightful. Our men are busy
gathering in the wounded, many of whom must die during the night for
want of proper attention."