“it will fight more desperately and bravely than ever”

Or else

A couple Pennsylvanians defend their home soil – and the Union.

From The New-York Times
July 2, 1863:

THE REBEL INVASION.; Highly Important from the Army of the Potomac. Defeat of Stuart’s Cavalry in Three Fights. The Rebels Driven from Westminster to Hanover by Gen. Gregg. Their Defeat at Hanover by Gen. Kilpatrick. Another Defeat of the Rebels at Hanover Junction. Their Loss Four Hundred Men and Six Pieces of Artillery. A Supposed Heavy Battle Between Gens. Meade and Lee. Rapid Cannonading Heard at Harrisburgh Last Evening. Probable Position of the MainRebel Army. DISPATCHES FROM WASHINGTON. MOVEMENTS OF THE ENEMY. TELEGRAMS FROM HARRISBURGH. OUR FORCES AT HANOVER JUNCTION. TELEGRAMS FROM WASHINGTON. DISCIPLINE OF THE SEVENTH REGIMENT. BALTIMORE, Wednesday, July 1.

The following circular has been issued:

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.

June 30, 1863.}

The Commanding General requests that previous to the engagement soon to be expected with the enemy, corps and all other commanding officers address their troops, explaining to them the immense issues involved in the struggle. The enemy is now on our soil. The whole country looks anxiously to this army to deliver it from the presence of the foe. Our failure to do so will leave us no such welcome as the swelling of millions of hearts with pride and joy at our success would give to every soldier of the army. Homes, firesides and domestic altars are involved. The army has fought well heretofore. It is believed that it will fight more desperately and bravely than ever if it is addressed in fitting terms. Corps and other commanders are authorized to order the instant death of any soldier who falls to do his duty at this hour.

By command of Major-Gen. MEADE.

S. WILLIAMS, Assistant Adj.-Gen.

 
From The New-York Times July 3, 1863:

VERY IMPORTANT NEWS; Further Particulars of the Battle Near Gettysburgh on Wednesday. Gen. Reynolds’ First Army Corps in the Advance. An Attack by Longstreet and Hill. THE ATTACK SUCCESSFULLY RESISTED. CESSATION OF THE BATTLE AT 4 P.M. The Whole Army of the Potomac on the Field on Wednesday Evening. THR REBEL ARMY NOT CONCENTRATED. Reported Capture of a Large Number of Prisoners. 2,400 OF THEM IN BALTIMORE. Desultory Fighting All Day Yesterday. THE DECISIVE BATTLE EXPECTED TO-DAY. Repulse of a Rebel Attack on Carlisle. EVACUATION OF MARYLAND HEIGHTS. LATEST FROM THE FRONT. OFFICIAL DISPATCHES FROM GEN. MEADE. SPECIAL DISPATCH FROM WASHINGTON. JEFF. DAVIS IN PENNSYLVANIA. TELEGRAMS FROM HABRISBURGH TELEGRAMS FROM PHILADELPHIA. TELEGRAMS FROM COLUMBIA. TELEGRAMS FROM LANCASTER, PENN. TELEGRAMS FROM BALTIMORE. PRISONERS ARRIVED AT BALTIMORE. MARYLAND HEIGHTS EVACUATED. LEE’S GENERAL ORDER FOR THE INVASION. A REBEL ADDRESS. CALL FOR NEW-YORK TROOPS. ANOTHER CALL ON NEW-JERSEY. OUR HARRISBURG CORRESPONDENCE. Ewell’a Corps Withdrawn fr

Major-Gen. John F. Reynolds.

We have information by telegraph of the death Major-Gen. JOHN FULTON REYNOLDS, U.S.A., late commander of the First Corps of the Army of the Potomac, from a wound received on Wednesday in the battle near Gettysburgh, between the First and Eleventh corps and the rebel forces under Gens. LONGSTREET and HILL. Major-Gen. REYNOLDS was born in Pennsylvania about the year 1821, and entered the Military Academy at West Point in 1837. In 1841 he graduated and received his first commission as Brevet Second Lieutenant of the Third artillery. He served with distinction in the war with Mexico, being breveted Captain for gallant and meritorious conduct at Monterey, and attain Major at Buena Vista. In 1852 he served as Aid-de-Camp on the Staff of Maj.-Gen. WOOL, and in 1855 received his rank as Captain. The following year he was sent to Oregon Territory, where he distinguished himself in several severe conflicts with the Indians, near Rogue River.

When the rebellion broke out Gen. REYNOLDS warmly espoused the cause of the Government, and, on the organization of the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps, he was appointed by Gov. CURTIN one of the brigade commanders. He took part with the Army of the Potomac in nearly all its actions, and so valuable were his services that the people of the State acknowledged them by the presentation of a sword.

At the commencement of the present year Gen. REYNOLDS was promoted to the Major-Generalship and command of the First Army Corps. After the removal of Gen. BURNSIDE from the office of Commander-in-Chief of the Army of the Potomac, the name of Gen. REYNOLDS was prominently mentioned for the succession, and again after the battle of Chancellorsville; but his own preferences were in favor of Gen. MEADE.

He fell while bravely leading hit men, like LYON in Missouri, STEVENS and KEARNY at Chantilly, WILLIAMS at Baton Rouge, and other, kindred spirits have nobly fallen. The country at large, as well as his associates in the army, will lament his death, but no one will feel a more poignant sorrow at this fortune of war than Maj.-Gen. MEADE, the new Commander of the Army of the Potomac. The deceased and he were bosom friends, and in the arduous and difficult duties that now devolve upon him he must have counted largely upon the aid and skill of the soldier who possessed his full confidence.

The body of Gen. REYNOLDS was yesterday taken to Baltimore.

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