In passing through Pennsylvania, many curious characters were found among the quaint old Quaker settlers, who viewed the army of Lee not with “fear” or “trembling,” but more in wonder and Christian abhorrence.  When the front of the column came to the line dividing Pennsylvania and Maryland, it was met by a delegation of those rigorously righteous old Quakers who, stepping in the middle of the road, commanded, as in the name of God, “So far thou canst go, but no farther.”  After performing this seemingly command of God, and in accordance with their faith, a perfect abhorrence to war and bloodshed, they returned to their homes perfectly satisfied.  It is needless to say the commander of Lee’s 2d corps paid little heed to the command of the pious Quakers.

After remaining near Chambersburg Kershaw, with the other portion of the division, marched on to a little hamlet called Greenwood, leaving a part of Pickett’s division at Chambersburg to guard our trains.

On the 29th the troops in advance began gradually to concentrate in the direction of Cashtown, some eight or ten miles west of Gettysburg.  Ewell was bearing down from Carlisle, A.P.  Hill was moving east, while Longstreet was moved up to Greenwood.

On the first of July A.P.  Hill had met the enemy near Gettysburg, and fought the first day’s battle of that name, driving the enemy back and through that city, part of his lines occupying the streets of Gettysburg and extending north and around the city.  The distance intervening and the mountainous condition of the country prevented us from hearing the roar of the guns, and little did any of us think, while enjoying the rest in our tents, one portion of our army was in the throes of a desperate battle.  Up to this time not a word had been heard from Stuart and his cavalry, and this seriously disturbed the mind of our great commander.  The positions of the enemy, moving against our rear and flank, necessitated a battle or a withdrawal, and to fight a great battle without the aid of cavalry simply seemed preposterous.  General Stuart has been greatly censured for his conduct during these stirring times, just on the eve of this, the greatest battle fought in modern times.

Near sundown, June 1st, we got orders to move along a dull road over hills, mountains and valleys.  We marched with elastic step, every one feeling the time had come for active work.  Early on our march we encountered General J.E.  Johnston’s brigade of Early’s division, that had been left at Chambersburg, together with all of Ewell’s wagon trains.  This delayed our march until it was thought all were well out of the way.  But before midnight it was overtaken again, and then the march became slow and tedious.  To walk two or three steps, and then halt for that length of time, was anything but restful and assuring to troops who had marched all night without sleep or rest.  About three o’clock at night, when we had reached the summit of an eminence, we saw in the plain before