Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1865-12-05

the leg. Down | went, and the whole rebel
army ran over me" Helpless, nearly bleeding
to death from his wounds, be lay upon the Geld
all night. About sun-up, next morning,
crawled to a neghbor house, and fouud it full
Of wounded rebels. The neighbor afterwards
took him to his own house, which had also
been turned into a rebel hospital. A rebel
surgeon dressed his wounds and he says he
received decent treatment at the hands OF the
enemy, until a copperh cad woman living oppo-
site " told on him."
That's the old man who said he was going
out to shoot some OF the damned rebels .
Some officers came and questioned him, en-
deayoring to convict him of % bush whacking
but the old man gave them but Ii tile satisiao-
ton. This was on Friday, the third day of the
battle and he was alone with his wife in the
upper part OF the house The rebels left, and
soon after Two shots were fred One bullet
entered the window, passed over Burns head,
aud struck the wall behind the lounge on which
ho was lying. The other shot fell lower, pass
ing through the door. Burns is certain that
the design was to assassnate him. That the
shots were fired by the rebels there can be no
doubt and as they were fired from their own
side, towards the town, of which they held
possession at the time, Johns theory was plainly
the true one. The hole in the window, and the
buletmarks in the door and wall remain.
Burns went with me over the ground where
the first days fight took place. lie showed me
the scene Of his hot days rk,-pointed out
two trees, behind which be and one Of The Wis
consin boys stood and picked off every rebel
that showed his head" and the spot where he
fell and lay all night under the stars and dew.
This act OF daring on the part OF 80 aged
citizen aud his subsequent sufierings from
wounds, naturally called out great deal OF
sympathy and caused him to be looked upon as
hero. Bat a hero, like prophet, has not oil
honor IN his own country. There's a wide
spread violent prejudice against Burns among
that class of the towns.Ieope termed copper
heads The young men, especially, who did
rot take their guns and go into the fight as this
old man did, but who ran, when running was
possible, IN ,he opposite direction, dislike Burns
Ssme aver that be did not have gun in his
hand that doy,and that he was wounded by acci-
dent happening to get between the two lines
Others admit the fact of his carrying gun into
the fight, but tell you with sardonio smile,
that Z" his motives were questionable" Some
who arc eager enough to make money on bis
picture sold against his will and without profit
" h'il Ntii iIAi JNu III bDhhNehNVs uitSA Jou
have purchased it, that Burns ID perfect
humbug. -
After studying the old man 3 character, con
ycrsing both with mis- friends and enemies, and
sitting eyid nee, during four days spent in Get
teysburg formed my conclusions. OF his 60
ing into the fight, and fighting there is no doubt
whatever OF his bravery, amounting even to
rashness, there can be no reasonable question.
He is a patriot Of the most Jealous sort a hot,
mpu-lye man, who meant what he said, when
be started with the gun to 20 and shoot some of
the rebyls qualified with the strong adjective.
A thoroughly honest man, too, think although
some OF his remarks are TO be taken with con-
siderable allowance. His temper causes him to
iom immoderate opinions and to make strong
statements. lie always goes beysnt, said my
landlord, firm friend Of his, sp.akIng of this
tendency to ovsrstep the bounds Of calm judg
ment.
Burns is sagacious observer of men and
things, and makes occasionally such shrewd re-
marks as this
Whenever you see the marks of shells and
bullets on a house all covered up, and painted
and plastered over, that's the house of rebel
but when you see hem all pre-
served and kept IN sight, as something to be
proud Of, that's the house of true Union man.
Well, whatever is said or thought Of the old
hero, he is what be is, and has satisfaction in
that, AMI not IN other peoples opinions; for 80
II must finally be with all. Character is the one
thing valuable. Reputation, which is the mere
shadow of the man, what his character is re-
puted to be, s, in the long run, Of infinitely
LEES Importance. | am happy to add that the
old man has been awarded penslon.-J. r.
7rolobridge m November Atlantic.