GDG- July 14, 1863, Falling Waters, Maryland

[George F]

While some of his points have been challenged
both at the time and then over the years, I
thought members of this forum would find Major
General Henry Heth's report on the July 14, 1863
Battle of Falling Waters (Maryland) - the last
battle of the Gettysburg Campaign - of interest. 
It is taken from the OR's.

"On reaching an elevated and commanding ridge of
hills one mile and a half (possibly a little
less) from Falling Waters, I was ordered by
Lieut. Gen. A. P. Hill to put my division in line
of battle on either side of the road, and,
extending along the crest of this hill, facing
toward Hagerstown. On the left of the road and on
the crest of this hill our engineers had thrown
up some half dozen epaulements for artillery, the
spaces between the epaulements being open. In our
front was an open space, with the view
unobstructed for half to three-quarters of a
mile; then came a heavy piece of timber some
three-fourths of a mile in width.
        "I was directed, at the same time that I
received the order to place my division in line
of battle as described, to put Pender's division
in rear of my own, in column of brigades. At this
point we halted, to allow the wagons and
artillery to get over the river. We remained in
this position awaiting their crossing for several
hours. About 11 o'clock, I received orders from
General Hill to move Pender's division across the
river, following General Anderson's division,
and, after leaving one brigade of my division in
line, to follow up the movement of the corps as
speedily as possible.
        "About fifteen or twenty minutes after
receiving these orders, and while they were in
progress of execution, a small body of cavalry,
numbering not more than 40 or 45 men, made their
appearance in our front, where the road debouched
from the woods previously described. I will here
remark, that when on the road, and some 2 or 3
miles from the position I now occupied, a large
body of our cavalry passed by my command, going
to our rear. When the cavalry alluded to made its
appearance, it was at once observed by myself,
General Pettigrew, and several members of my
staff, as well as many others. On emerging from
the woods, the party faced about, apparently
acting on the defensive. Suddenly facing my
position, they galloped up the road, and halted
some 175 yards from my line of battle. From their
maneuvering and the smallness of numbers, I
concluded it was a party of our own cavalry
pursued by the enemy. In this opinion I was
sustained by all present. It was not until I
examined them critically with my glasses at a
distance of not more than 175 yards that I
discovered they were Federal troops. The men had
been restrained from firing up to this time by
General Pettigrew and myself. The command was now
given to fire. At the same time, the Federal
officer in command gave the command to charge.
The squad passed through the intervals separating
the epaulements, and fired several shots. In less
than three minutes all were killed or captured
save two or three, who are said to have escaped.
General Pettigrew received a wound in one of his
hands at Gettysburg, in consequence of which he
was unable to manage his horse, which reared and
fell with him. It is probable when in the act of
rising from the ground that he was struck by a
pistol-ball in the left side, which,
unfortunately for himself and his country, proved
mortal. A soldier of the Seventh Tennessee
Regiment was at the same time mortally wounded.
This was the entire loss of my command from this
charge; 33 of the enemy's dead were counted; 6
prisoners fell into our hands; also a stand of
colors.
        "Very soon after this, a large body of
dismounted cavalry, supported by artillery, of
which I had none, made a vigorous attack on
Brockenbrough's brigade, which was deployed in
line of battle to the right of the road.
Brockenbrough repelled the attack, and drove the
enemy back into the woods, following him up for
some distance. The enemy was now heavily
re-enforced, and Brockenbrough was compelled to
fall back.
       "His brigade, having been badly cut up on
the 1st and 3d at Gettysburg, was much reduced in
numbers. Seeing that the enemy evidently designed
turning his right flank, and thus cutting him off
from the river, Brockenbrough deployed his
brigade as skirmishers, extending well to the
right. About this time the enemy appeared on my
left flank in force; also in my front.. Seeing
the attack was becoming serious, I ordered the
several brigades of Pender's division (excepting
Thomas', which had crossed the river) to return.
At the same time, I sent a message to the
lieutenant-general commanding, requesting that
artillery might be sent me, as I had none.
        "On returning, my aide informed me that
General Hill directed me to withdraw my command
as speedily as possible and cross the river. When
this order was received, my line of skirmishers
occupied a front of a mile and a half, the left
resting on the canal, the right bending around
well toward the Potomac. The orders were that the
several brigades in line should withdraw
simultaneously, protecting their front by a
strong line of skirmishers, and converge toward
the road leading to Falling Waters. In order to
cover this movement, Lane's brigade was formed in
line of battle about 500 yards in rear of the
advanced line, protected by a heavy line of
skirmishers.
        "The first brigade that passed through
Lane's line of battle was reformed in line of
battle a quarter of a mile or more in rear of
Lane's position, and so on till the command
reached the south bank of the Potomac. With the
extended line of skirmishers in my front, and
being compelled to fall back upon a single road,
it is not surprising that, in attempting to reach
the road over ravines impassable at many points,
and through a thick undergrowth and wood, and
over a country with which both officers and men
were unacquainted, many of them were lost, and
thus fell into the hands of the enemy, who pushed
vigorously forward on seeing that I was retiring.
The enemy made two cavalry charges, and on each
occasion I witnessed the unhorsing of the entire
party."

Through the Battle of Falling Waters 1863
Foundation Inc., we are endeavoring to both
preserve the battlefield and educate the public
about the events that took place on the peninsula
of farmland south of Williamsport 145 years ago
today.

George F. Franks, III
Daniel Donnelly House (1830)
Williamsport, Maryland