[576] was waiting for instructions from his immediate chief his attention was directed elsewhere. General Smith, whose brigade had not been in action, and who, consequently, should have passed to the first line, had halted on the left in the rear, close to the York road, upon the mere rumor that a new corps of the enemy was coming up by way of that road. Although he did not put much faith in this news, Early sent Gordon with a second brigade in that direction, less for the purpose of stopping this imaginary enemy than to take command of the two united brigades. Thus deprived of one-half of his division, Early by himself could no longer attempt anything against Cemetery Hill. Matters would not have proceeded thus under Jackson. Ewell did not exercise the same influence over his lieutenants as Jackson did, and on this occasion was poorly served by some of them. O'Neal had allowed his brigade to take part in the fight without his personal direction. Iverson, in the heat of the struggle, had caused his chief to be informed that he had seen one of his own regiments pass over to the enemy: finally, Smith, through his credulity, paralyzed Early's movements.
Rodes' troops having suffered fearfully, and his artillery not being yet in position, Ewell had really only two brigades at his disposal; consequently, he thought he was acting in conformity with Lee's instructions by waiting for Johnson's arrival with the Third division to make the attack. Hill's immobility and the very text of his own instructions convinced him that Lee was less anxious to take possession of Cemetery Hill than to avoid a general engagement at that time. Johnson, who had passed the night with the corps artillery, not far from Chambersburg, between Scotland and Greenwood, had had about eighteen miles to travel over a road encumbered with vehicles of every description, and notwithstanding his speed he only reached Gettysburg a little before sunset. He had been preceded on this road by Anderson's division of the Third corps, which being hastily sent for in the morning by Hill from Fayetteville, where it had bivouacked, reached the borders of Willoughby Run before six o'clock, when it was brought to a halt by an order from its chief.
Lee, having determined not to provoke a decisive battle until the concentration of his army was accomplished, must naturally
