[Illustration: BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG]
On the morning of the 25th preparations were made for the final battle
on Missionary Ridge. The attack was made by General Sherman, and it
seemed that the Confederates must recede from the terrific onslaught,
but they succeeded, after a stubborn struggle, in repulsing the
Federals at this particular time, and they were pushed back by General
Hardy, who captured several hundred prisoners. The Federals, quickly
re-forming their lines, renewed the assault and, after waiting for
Hooker to bring up his division, Grant ordered a general advance,
and the battle was now on in earnest. Bragg opened on them from the
crest of Missionary Ridge with fifty pieces of artillery and a line
of musketry. Even this did not stop the impetuous charge. The first
line of entrenchments of the Confederates was carried with little
opposition, and, as the Confederates retired through other brigades,
the confusion was great, and the retreat became almost a rout.
Had it not been for a division of North Carolinan soldiers under Major
Weaver, who succeeded in rallying his troops, and was successful in
holding the Federals in check, the retreat would have become a rout of
the entire Confederate army.
This gave the Confederates a little time to rally their lines, and they
were able to retire from the field in good order.
The battle was now over, and the field was left in possession of the
Federals, Bragg retiring with his army into Georgia.