Summary:
Lieut. Col. H. P. Jones commanded the Artillery Battalion of the Army of Northern
Virginia which included the Staunton Artillery. Jones reports that on July 1st,
the battalion fired at the retreating enemy.
Lieut. [S. V.] Southall, Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen.
August 4, 1863.
Sir
On the morning of July 1, while marching in rear of Early's division, I received an order from Gen. Early to bring the batteries at once to the front, for the purpose of engaging the enemy. This I did, and found on arriving at the front that the enemy were posted in front of Gettysburg, and engaging hotly what I afterward learned was Gen. Rodes' division. I immediately brought twelve guns into position, and opened a brisk fire upon the enemy's artillery and infantry, taking them in flank as they were being massed upon Rodes' left and Gen. Early's right.
The batteries were very soon driven from the position and forced to retire, leaving one carriage disabled, which, however, they afterward succeeded in getting off. Our fire was very effective upon their infantry, presenting, as they did, large bodies in easy range of us.
In this engagement, I had three guns temporarily disabled and one permanently so. One man of the Louisiana Guard Artillery was killed, and 1 of the Staunton Artillery wounded.
For your better information, I have the honor herewith to inclose the reports of Capt.'s Tanner and Green, of the operations of their batteries at Wrightsville, Hunterstown, South Mountain, and Williamsport.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
H. P. JONES, Lieut.-Col., Comdg. Artillery Battalion.
Bibliographic Information : Letter Reproduced from The War of The Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I. Vol. 27. Part II. Reports. Serial No. 44., Page 495, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
