Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams.
Sir: The two opposing armies in Pennsylvania are understood to be about equal in numbers. Seven corps constitute the army of the Potomac, while the insurgent forces are divided into three corps. On Wednesday, the first instant, the two advanced United States corps unexpectedly encountered two of the insurgent corps northwest of Gettysburg, and a severe conflict ensued, which resulted in a withdrawal of our forces to a favorable position in rear of the town, where they threw up defences, and were joined by the other portions of the army during the night and morning. On Thursday, the whole insurgent army, being in line, offered battle, which was accepted. It continued throughout Thursday and Friday. It was unquestionably the most sanguinary conflict of the war, and resulted in the withdrawal of the insurgents from the field on the morning of Saturday, the 4th, and the retreat towards the Potomac began on that night, and was continued at the date of the last advices. Our cavalry is harassing the retiring enemy in the rear, while General Meade is operating, with the aid of re-enforcements, upon the enemy’s flank.
From Vicksburg we have encouraging despatches of the date of Monday, the 29th of June.
I cannot inform you of the movements of General Rosecrans in any other way so well as by giving you his last despatch, which is as follows:
“Our movement commenced on the twenty-fourth (24th) June. Have driven Bragg from his intrenched positions at Shelbyville and Tullahoma. Either of them is stronger than Corinth. Have pressed him through the mountains. Incessant rains and the impassable state of the roads alone prevented us from forcing him to a general battle. Sheridan’s division occupied Cowen yesterday at three (3) p.m. The enemy has retreated towards Bridgeport and Chattanooga. Every effort is being made to bring forward supplies and threaten the enemy sufficiently to hold him. As I have already advised you, Tullahoma was evacuated Tuesday night. Our troops pursued him and overtook his train at Elk river. He burned the bridge. In that operation our loss in killed and wounded will not exceed five hundred. The loss of the enemy may be safely put at one thousand killed and wounded, one thousand prisoners, seven pieces of artillery, and five or six hundred tents. The country is filled with deserters from the Tennessee troops, and it is generally thought a very large portion of these troops will never leave their native State. Nothing but most stringent coercion can detain them. It is impossible to convey to you an idea of the continuous rains we have had since the commencement of these operations, or the state of the roads. I pray God that every available soldier may be sent to me, and that our arms may be successful against Lee. He should be destroyed.”
The President, on the 4th of July, felicitated the country upon the cheering aspect of the national cause.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq.,&c.,&c.,&c.