CHAPTER XII. GETTYSBURG. ON assuming command of the army Meade issued an order so charged with modesty that the excellence of his character shines like a diamond through it: General Orders, HDQRS. ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, No. 67. By direction of the President of the United States, I hereby assume command of the Army of the Potomac. As a soldier, in obeying this order-an order totally unexpected and unsolicited—I have no promises or pledges to make. The country looks to this army to relieve it from the devastation and disgrace of a hostile invasion. Whatever fatigues and sacrifices we may be called upon to undergo, let us have in view constantly the magnitude of the interests involved, and let each man determine to do his duty, leaving to an All-controlling Providence the decision of the contest. It is with just diffidence that I relieve in the command of this army an eminent and accomplished soldier, whose name must ever appear conspicuous in the history of its achievements; but I rely upon the hearty support of my companions in arms to assist me in the discharge of the duties of the important trust which has been confided to me. GEORGE G. MEADE, Major-General, Commanding. Feeling the great necessity for active operations against the enemy, for Stuart, in command of Lee's cavalry, was on Meade's right flank and making desperate efforts to gain the head of the columns of the Army of the Potomac in order to reach Lee and impart the information he had gathered from being on its right flank from Fairfax Court House, Meade issued an order, dated the same day, directing the army to move the next morning at four o'clock. As General Heth, who opened the battle on the Confederate side, has since said: "It was a great misfortune to us in that campaign not to have had the benefit of the cavalry service, for it is the eyes and ears of every army.' Lee was still in the dark as to the whereabouts of his cav-¡ alry, or the movements of the Army of the Potomac. General Heth also said: "If Lee had had his cavalry with him he would have known the movements of his adversary; and if he had been compelled to meet him at Gettysburg he could have concentrated his army there two days before and held the choice of positions. As it was, we stumbled in there, on the morning of the 1st of July, when my division was hotly engaged almost immediately." It was remarkable foresight and great generalship on the part of Meade to throw his army forward with the left resting at Emmitsburg, the center at Taneytown, and the right at Frizellburg, Union, and New Windsor; for S art was again foiled in his attempt to pass Meade's front nd was brushed to the right where he encountered Kilpa at Hanover. In the mean time Buford had been ordered by Pleasonton to advance to Gettysburg, a central and strategic place where the armies would be very likely to concentrate. Meade hastening to the front, arrived there the evening of the 1st day of July, taking up his headquarters near the cemetery. Meade's strategy in keeping Lee's infantry and cavalry apart surpassed that of Hannibal and Scipio, for his achievements were of greater value; and as the cycle of time revolves it will greatly add to his military fame. After assuming command of the army on the eve of one of the greatest battles recorded in history, the military genius he displayed was most remarkable; and his memory richly deserves a monument on that field. Hooker had taken the line on the east side of South Mountain, because that was the shortest one leading in the direction of Gettysburg, which is a little southeast of Chambersburg, where two of Lee's corps were, and some twenty |