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Day 1: July 1, 1863 - Rodes
Arrives
After Heth's failed
attack, Rodes' division approached Gettysburg from the northeast along
Harrisburg Road. Early's division shortly followed behind Rodes.
Upon nearing Gettysburg, Rodes headed southwest towards Oak Ridge where
he observed Cutler's brigade preparing for an attack from Heth.
Approaching unhindered, Rodes placed 16 guns of LtC Thomas Carter's artillery battalion upon Oak Hill and commenced to shell Cutler's startled troops.
General Robinson ordered Baxter's
brigade to position north against Rodes' approaching division. Also, Howard's XI Corps had begun to arrive from the south and started deploying
to the east. Rodes, sensing his advantage evaporate, decided to
immediately attack. Unfortunately, the attack was poorly coordinated and ran into
problems. Iverson's and O'Neal's brigades were ordered
to advance along Oak Ridge and attack Baxter's newly acquired position. Instead, Iverson
delayed the attack so that the artillery atop Oak Hill could inflict more damage upon Baxter. The left O'Neal in front alone and approaching Baxter who was positioned behind a stone wall along Mummasburg Road. Baxter made short work of O'Neal and inflicted over 40%
casualties (both O'Neal and Iverson themselves amazingly
did not accompany their brigades). Iverson now followed along the western
slope of Oak Ridge (on what would've been to O'Neal's right). Now that O'Neal
had retreated, Iverson's left flank was completely exposed. With O'Neal
out of the way, Baxter was able to shift its complete attention to Iverson.
Iverson's brigade marched blindly into Baxter's
awaiting brigade with devastating results. An amazing 70% of the brigade were either
captured or became casualties. These two Rodes' brigades had effectively
been destroyed.
Rodes then ordered Daniel and Ramseur
into the battle. Daniel planned to march southward along the western
slope of the ridge, out of range of Robinson's brigades and swing around to attack Cutler's left flank. But, as it approached Chambersburg Pike, it
encountered Stone's brigade which had been positioned along the
railroad cut. Despite heavy casualties on both sides, Stone
managed to hold the cut. Ramseur on the other hand, marched along Iverson's
previous route following Oak Ridge. By this time, Robinson
had reinforced Baxter's position at Mummasburg Road with Paul's brigade. This time, Ramseur attacked Baxter and Paul until they ran low on ammunition and slowly forced
to retreat with heavy casualties.
The remaining stretched in
anticipation of Early's soon arrival. Sensing a good vantage point, part
of Doles' brigade attempted to occupy a small knoll to the west of
Harrisburg Road. Barlow also eyed this knoll and sent Van Gilsa forward to extend the Union right flank. In order to
compensate for Barlow's advance position, Schurz ordered Schimmelfennig forward to align with Van Gilsa and Paul. Barlow and Schurz
had barely positioned their divisions when Early's division approached
from the northeast along Harrisburg Road. BG Gordon's brigade led the
attack and charged
Van Gilsa
while BG Hays and Col Avery
attacked Ames' right flank. Barlow's
forward position was exposed and could not be held (in fact, his men began running as soon
as Gordon attacked). Doles, seizing on the opportunity,
attacked Schurz and soon both Union divisions were sent retreating
towards town.
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