National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1866-10-19

The late Joshua II. Giddings. OF
blessed memory, was dead shot. not
only oratorically considered, but
with rifle. There was not man
in the county of Ashtabnla (and
that county was celebrated for fine
marksmen) that could excel him
either at squirrel hunting or at a tar
get shot. His son Grotius r.. is a
veritable chip of the old block. On
these hunting excursions of the cid
er Giddings he was invariably ac.
companied by Grotius, and it was
during these Nimrodian seasons
that the youngster received those
lessons in politics and wood craft
which so well fitted him for the ca.
reer which the shadOwy future had
in store fOr him. On these occasions
the elder would say tohim, "Grosh,
my boy, never be guilty of an act or
word which will give aid, counsel
or comfort to the institution of sla-
very and its attendant iniquities. or
close your doors or heart against
the hunted fugitives from oppres-
sion, or bring home squirrel unless
shot through the head.'
Each of these maxims harmonic
ed completely with the natural bent
of the youngsters mind; he treas
nred them accordingly. His return
ing at the age of fourteen from a
match squirrel hunt of two days
duration, and bringing him one hun
dred and eighty of the " small deer
with their heads off, proved that
the wood craft part was well learn
ed, and his subsequent career, both
in field and office. showed that the
political portions of the fathers
teachings Were well stored by the
son. But | started to tell you an
incident of the battle Of Gettysburg.
BE patient: Il am coming to that.
| must reach the point by regular
approaches. At the breaking out
of the war. 9 Old Father Gid
dings" was Consul General of Cana
da. stationed at Montreal. Grotius
Il. was in his Office as Vice Consul
General. When the first news OF
the struggle was received, young
Giddings became restless. His faith
cr noticing the fact, remarked to
him one day, Grosh, what's the
matter with YOU ~ " Father" re
piled the Vice Consul, " think
want to 70 home" "Well," said
the elder, I've been thinking il
was the best thing you could do
and the sooner the better. Wher
can you get ready y By the
next train, answered the junior.
On the next train he started for
the Buckeye State. Passing through
Columbus, he called on Governor
DenniSon. who was then in the gov.
ernorS chair, obtained commission
and left for his home in Ashtabula
County. In three and one hall
days from the time he left Montreal
he had his company full and swOri
into the United States service. That
company he commanded in person
until'the battle of Phillippi whcr
he was promoted to the Majority o.
the Nth Regulars, which regimen,
he led at the battle of Gettysburg
The 18th was close to the front, and
lying under the fire of the enemy
The Major was standing behind his
command. Behind him was large
rock, and behind the rock sharp
shooter of rebel persuasion whom
the Confederate General Wilcox kept
upon his staff to pluck off our Off
GERS. A large rock on the rebel
right Of Round Top afforded Il safe
cover for the Alabamian, who, by
the way, was considered one OF
their crack marksmcn. lie would
load his rifle behind the rock. ther
jump on the latter and take deliber
ate aim at any officer he could Sc,
on our line, then drop behind til,
rock again and reload. This h'
continued with fearful rapid y ant
precision. Major Giddings, being
rather conspicuous, came in fol
a share of the rebels attention. A
last sick of the annoyance, he turn
ed to the sharpshooter in his rca
" Here, you man with the tel
cope rifle, can't you bring down tina
rebel rihcman " Well, Major In
trying to fetch him but it is a lons
range" 1T is no longer for yol
than it is for him and if you don
shoot him he will shoot me- sal,
the Major. II it is all the sam
to You I'd rather you would shoe
him" " But answered the soldier
"thc Johnny has one of those lon;
range English Whitworth rifles, an,
they can beat ours in bearing ~
this distance" Well" rcmarkc,
the Major, if you cannot hit hin
stop trying for YOU will only draw
his attention this way, and if yol
don't stop it I'll shoot him myself
The soldiers and others III hear
ing, smiled ut what they deemc,
the boasteng speech of the Major
Just then, came "a shot from the r,
bel sharpshootcr, which completely
shaved off onc.half of the Major
moustache. Now this hursutc orna
ment was q particular pet of th
Major; in fact, his moustache wa
his pride. Feeling something stinI
rather sharply in close proximity I
his nose, he quickly clapped hi
hand to thp gnOt and behold on
half of his upper lip was shorn o
its glory. To say that the Majo
was mad would be drawing IL ratll