By command of MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE. S. WILLIAMS, _A. A.-General_.
It is fitting we should close this chapter with President Lincoln's brief yet comprehensive announcement to the country:
WASHINGTON, D. C., July 4, 1863, 10 A. M.
The President of the United States announces to the country, that the news from the Army of the Potomac, up to ten o'clock P. M. of the third, is such as to cover the army with the highest honor--to promise great success to the cause of the Union--and to claim the condolence of all for the many gallant fallen; and that for this he especially desires that on this day, "He whose will, not ours, should ever be done," be everywhere remembered and reverenced with the profoundest gratitude.
1863.--National Rejoicing.--The Enemy Retreating.--Feebly Pursued. --Reconnoissances.--Kilpatrick Gives the Enemy a Fourth of July Entertainment at Monterey Pass.--Storm and Terror.--Immense Train Destroyed, and Hosts of Prisoners Taken.--Pitiable Condition of Stuart's Cavalry.--Battle of Hagerstown.--Captains Penfield and Dahlgren Wounded.--Wonderful Exploits of a Union Scout.--Kilpatrick and Buford at Williamsport.--Cavalry Fight at Boonsboro'.--Stuart Defeated.--Hagerstown Retaken.--Orders to Advance, One Day Too Late. --Kilpatrick Chases the Flying Foe.--Fight at Falling Waters, Last Act in the Drama.--Great Bravery of Union Troops.--Last Vestige of the Invaders Wiped Out.--Bivouac and Rest.
The victory at Gettysburg, though purchased at so dear a price, when announced to the people, produced a deep and widespread joy, which contributed to make the Fourth of July doubly memorable. The gallant behavior of our men furnished a theme for general exultation, and the removal of the threatened disaster foreshadowed in the pompous and successful invasion, made every true American breathe more freely.
But the work of the soldier was not yet done. The feet of the invaders were still upon free soil; and though his ranks had been thinned by desertions, and by unprecedented casualties in battle, and he had been thwarted in all the important minutiæ of his plan, he was still formidable, and compelled to fight with desperation, if attacked, to prevent utter destruction.
Some apprehension that the enemy was at least contemplating a speedy retreat was entertained during the night that followed the third bloody day. General Pleasonton, chief of cavalry, urged General Meade to advance in force upon the beaten foe, alleging that they were not only greatly weakened by their losses, but undoubtedly demoralized, in consequence of repulse and probable scarcity of ammunition. To ascertain positively what could be of these probabilities, Pleasonton was directed to make a reconnoissance toward the Rebel rear. Accordingly, several detachments of cavalry were thrust out on different roads, where they rode all night. General Gregg, on our right, went about twenty-two miles on the road to Chambersburg, and returning early on the morning of the fourth, reported that the road was strewn with wounded and stragglers, ambulances and caissons, and general _débris_, which indicated that the enemy was retreating as rapidly as possible, and was passing through a terrible season of demoralization. The testimony of the mute witnesses of disaster was corroborated by that of the many prisoners which easily fell into Gregg's hands. Other expeditions, returning later in the day, had similar reports to render of what they had seen and heard. And now came the time for energetic cavalry movements. While our infantry was resting, or engaged in burying our own and the Rebel dead within our lines, the cavalry was despatched to do all the damage it could upon the retreating Rebel columns.