The first national misfortune of the day fell to Schimmelpfennig's division. His two brigades advancing near the Oak Hill slopes were battered on the flank by Rodes' artillery, and thrown into great disorder. Dole's division fell upon them and drove them for some distance. Early's division advanced on the Heidlersburg road, and its artillery opened fire on Barlow who was trying to relieve Schimmelpfennig. Gordon's brigade charged on Von Gilsa's position, and forced him and Barlow back at the point of the bayonet; Hays and Hoke took them on the flank, and the retreat became a rout. Howard ordered the 11th corps to retreat, but it had already been driven back.
Pender fell with his whole division on the tired and depleted brigades of Stone, Meredith, and Biddle. Ramseur's brigade, with the remnants of Iverson's and O'Neil's brigades, and supported by a heavy fire of artillery, descended on Robinson, whom the retreat of the 11th corps had left isolated. Robinson fell back on the wood occupied by Cutler. Doubleday's men were outnumbered and overpowered and he recalled them to Seminary Hill, and, joined by Biddle's men, they stationed themselves in the trenches which had been thrown up around the seminary. Supported by a few cannon they succeeded in checking the advance of the enemy.
Howard saw that this resistance could not be maintained. It was useful only in assisting the retreat. He ordered the abandonment of Seminary Hill, and as the 1st corps, with ranks greatly thinned, marched down the eastern slopes. Hill occupied the position. Doubleday found Gettysburg filled with the fugitives of Barlow's and Schimmelpfennig's divisions. Their condition was very perilous, as Ewell was advancing on the town from the eastward. Howard abandoned the town and fell back on Cemetery Hill. The 1st corps reached there safely, all but Stone's brigade, which was mixed up with the fugitives in the streets of the town. The Confederates dashed in with
