Of Maj. Gen. Winfield S. Hancock, U.S. Army, commanding Second Army Corps
General S. WILLIAMS, Assistant Adjutant-General, Frederick:
General Sedgwick and a part of his command have arrived, and the trains are rapidly crossing. The supply train of the Fifth Corps and General Crawford's trains are in advance. General Craw-fords troops have crossed. The artillery are well out on the road I came. I mention these things, supposing that General Sedgwick is not aware of the telegraph station here.
WINF'D S. HANCOCK.
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HEADQUARTERS SECOND ARMY CORPS,
Monocacy Junction, June 29, 1863--7 a.m.
General BUTTERFIELD :
GENERAL: I regret to say that my command is only now leaving. This delay of three hours is caused by the order having been left with an irresponsible person at these headquarters, a clerk, who failed to deliver it.
WINF'D S. HANCOCK,
Major-General, Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
June 29, 1863.
The commanding general greatly regrets the delay within reported, and thinks that the person to whom the order was delivered should be brought to punishment.
By command of Major-General Meade:
S. WILLIAMS,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
The man in question has already been brought to punishment. I took every precaution. Now, I intend to have all orders promptly delivered. I regret the delay. I shall try to make up the most of it by short cuts and rapid marching. Such a mistake can hardly occur again.
Your obedient servant,
WINF'D S. HANCOCK,
Major-General, Commanding.
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HEADQUARTERS SECOND CORPS,
June 30, 1863.
Brig. Gen. S. WILLIAMS, Assistant Adjutant-General, Army of the Potomac:
GENERAL: I send Captain Bingham, of my staff, for orders. I believe the rumors about the enemy on the New Windsor road to be incorrect. I have sent out citizens, who report that they can hear nothing of them, although citizens are coming within our lines stating that the enemy's cavalry are stealing their horses and plundering the country 2 or 3 miles in our rear.
General Crawford is encamped immediately in my front. He has informed me that he will start his train at 3 a.m., and that his command will march at 4.30 a.m. I notify you of these facts in order to show you that I will be considerably delayed if I am ordered to march in that direction.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant.
WINF'D S. HANCOCK,
Major-General, Commanding Corps.
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5.25 [P.M., JULY 1, 1863.]
GENERAL: When I arrived here an hour since, I found that our troops had given up the front of Gettysburg and the town. We have now taken up a position in the cemetery, and cannot well be taken. It is a position, however, easily turned. Slocum is now coming on the ground, and is taking position on the right, which will protect the right. But we have, as yet, no troops on the left, the Third Corps not having yet reported; but I suppose that it is marching up. If so, its flank march will in a degree protect our left flank. In the meantime Gibbon had better march on so as to take position on our right or left, to our rear, as may be necessary, in some commanding position.
General G. will see this dispatch. The battle is quiet now. I think we will be all right until night. I have sent all the trains back. When night comes, it can be told better what had best be done. I think we can retire; if not, we can fight here, as the ground appears not unfavorable with good troops.
I will communicate in a few moments with General Slocum, and transfer the command to him.
Howard says that Doubleday's command gave way. General Warren is here.
Your obedient servant,
WINF'D S. HANCOCK,
Major-General, Commanding Corps.
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General BUTTERFIELD, Chief of Staff.
HEADQUARTERS SECOND CORPS, July 3, 1863.
Although I repulsed a tremendous attack, yet on seeing it from my left and advancing to the right, I, much to my sorrow, found that the twelve guns on my salient had been removed by some one, whom I call upon you to hold accountable, as without them, with worse troops, I should certainly have lost the day. I arrived just in time to put a small battalion of infantry in the place occupied by those two batteries.
I have never seen a more formidable attack, and if the Sixth and Fifth Corps have pressed up, the enemy will be destroyed. The enemy must be short of ammunition, as I was shot with a tenpenny nail. I did not leave the field till the victory was entirely secured and the enemy no longer in sight. I am badly wounded, though I trust not seriously. I had to break the line to attack the enemy in flank on my right, where the enemy was most persistent after the front attack was repelled. Not a rebel was in sight upright when I left. The line should be immediately restored and perfected. General Caldwell is in command of the corps, and I have directed him to restore the line.
Your obedient servant.
WINF'D S. HANCOCK,
Major-General,
By A. N. DOUGHERTY,
Surgeon, and Medical Director Second Corps.
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General MEADE.
TWELFTH CORPS HOSPITAL, July 3, 1863.
GENERAL: A great many colors were taken by our troops to-day--one brigade took ten. In order to collect them, it would be well to send a circular for each regimental commander to report the number taken. I have seen several on the road to-day.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WINF'D S. HANCOCK,
Major-General.
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