Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1864-02-26
roK TIE DEIAwARx GAzErTE
RKHINIsCKKsEs OF GETTYSBURG

Now the hKht now for the cannon-peal
Forward through blood, and toll, and cloud, and fire
Glorious the shout, the shock, the clash OF steel
The vollsy's roll, the rockets blasting spire.'
'' There was lack OF wOman's nursing, there wa
/ dearth Of wonar's tears"
The 1st and 11th Corps, being the van
guard of the array, reached Emmitsburg oI
the evening of June 29th. Previous 10 tina
date the movements and whereabouts of TIL
enemy were to US a profound secret. Their
were faint rumors that Stusrt's cavalry Wert
ravaging the Cumberland valley, but beyond
this we knew little.
At midnight of the 30th mounted orderly
galloped to the CoIonels quarters and deliver
ed message. It was manifest from his hur-
ried manner, that he brought marching orders
Accordingly the Sergeant-Major soon came
around warning US to be up betimes, and
ready for an early movement. 1t was not
however, until O'Clock A. NJ, that the regi-
ments had fled out of their camps into the
road, and were well on the march. 1t was
understood that we were going to Gettys-
burg, eleven miles distant. Many Of the men
were nearly barefoot, but all were cheerful
and each one ready and anxious to perform
his part in driving the invading traitors from
loyal soil. At ten o'clock A. M, we crossed
the line separating Maryland from Pennsyl-
vania. The regiments from the latter State
greeted the Old Keystone with enthusias-
tic cheers, their drums and colors saluting and
bands playing.
At IL o'clock A. NJ. the distant and omin-
GUS booming Of artillery gave us our first in
timation that we were in the vicinity Of the
enemy. The dull and occasional thunder
sounded directly in advance, and told US plain
er than words, OF what we we're approaching.
But its influence upon the soldiers was far
from depressing. On the contrary, | never
knew them to be SO confident and cheerful on
the eve of battle. Those inclined to strag-
gle were shamed out Of it, and the Provost
Guard was commended for driving forward the
cowardly at the point of the bayonet.
The column pressed forward with alacrity
and without hAlting. The cannonading grew
louder and more frequent. Pale and anxious
looking women, whose solemn countenanees
plainly indicated what their hearts were too
full TO express, stood by the roadside Civ
ing drink and food to the hurrying soldiers
who could snatch them and go on.
AtIength, reaching the crest Of plateau,
a wide undulating plain unfolded itself to our
view. 1t was the amphitheatre in which was
about to be enacted the greatest tragedy
since Wagram and Austerlitz. About one
mile in front. at the foot of the plateau, the
town of Gettysburg Ioomed up in the dull,
vapory atmosphere. Just beyond it, dense
puffs of white smoke indicated where the Ger
berean, mastids, whose baying we had heard,
were executing the prologue to the great
drama.
At this moment heavy shower Of rain
began to fall, which dangerously dampened
our muskets and cartridges. By the time
We had entered the village, however, the rain
had entirely ceased, and the air had become
pleasantly cool The town was in tumult
Of excitement. The heavy trains of the infan
Try, the rumbling and rushing of the artillery
carriages hurryiDg to the front, the changing of
sabres, the clatter of horses hoofs, the gleam-
ing of arms, the sweaty, excited countenauces
Of the troops, the shouts of command, and the |
booming Of the deep-throated guns, made up
! scene whose vivid picture will burI upon |
thousands of memories to the end of life.
The column was not allowed a moments
est, but hurried through the town as fast as
I could walk. Groups of men and women,
error stricken, with ashenhued countenances, |
tood showering upon US their benedictions.-
The prattling child joined the young maiden |
md the trembling matron in waving God
bless you" to the soldiers.
On the farther side of the village we met |
he cavalry just returned from the 'front.'
They brought news that the gallant Reynolds |
lad baptized the soil of his native State with |
lis blood, and had perished almost within the
atmosphere of his home. Yet they gave en-
,ouraging accounts of skirmishiDg, and were
over wild rumor that whole |
brigade of rebels had been captured.
Filing from the road into the open fields,
Deyond the town, tho brigade Immediately |
ook its position. The regiments being hasti-
y formed into double columns, ours was put
n the rear, in support of one Of the batteries
hat was now vigorously playing upon the
nemy. The rebels replied no less vigorously,
md the shot and shell plunged wildly over the
ields. Just as we halted 10 our position
Door fellow was knocked fiat upon the earth |
" cannon shot, which nearly severed his
eg from his body. Soon another was struck,
md the regiment slightly shifted its position.
An order was then given to call the rolls,
md, amid the roar of the artillery, each man
,ave his unfaltering answer, "here." And
here many a one who so answered, now lies
where be fell, with his face to the foe.
The enemy could be plainly perceived per-
ormiDg his eyolutions along the slope of the
eries of elevations that skirted the Western
border of the landscape. The columns Of the
First Corps appeared on our left front, NOV
ng gradually to the attack. Seon the ram
lom shots cracked spitefully then came the
,lashing volleys and in few minutes the
'ebels were seen running like frightened sheep.
A loud cheer followed this success, and officers
who watched the manoeuvre through their
glasses declared that we were getting along
Iwimingly. But the enemy had strong re-
erves and soon rallied. In fact it oegan 20
De suspected that we were being dallied with
1y greater superior force with the design Of
lecoying the left wing of the army beyond
distance that the right might be
and overwhelmed. The suspi-
lion of this soon grew into a positive belief
or the Captain of the skirmishers on our
light front, FASTENED back with the news that
he enemy in heavy masses was endeavoring
o turn our right flank. The ground wat ad-
nirably adapted for this, rsvine cireling in
hat direction which masked the movement.
This piece of news was at once cOmmuni-
;ated to the General 1t made has face grow
'ale and distressed. 1t was apparent to his
mind that a great crisis had ome,-tbat the
nemy must be met at once, and that he must
'e met halfway, and in the open plain Ac-
.ordingly the brigade was ordered to change
ront, which was done in splendid style, the
nnimanfa moving In dnnhle colin rnnn |