Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1866-10-19
A sharpshooter Dislodged.
INTERESTING INCIDENT IN THE BATTLE
OF GETTYSBURG.

rically considered but with rifle. There
was not man, in the country of Ashta-
bula (and that country was celebrated for
fine marksmen) that could excel him, ell
ther at a squirrel hunting or at target
shot. His son, Grotius r., is a veritable
chip Of the old block. On these hunting
excursions of the elder Giddlngs, he was
invariably accompanied by Grotius, and
it was during these Nimrodian seasons
that the youngest received those lessons in
politics and wood craft which SO well fitted
him for the career which the shadowy fu-
ture had in store for him. On these oc-
casions the elder would say to him,
Grosh, my boy, never be guilty of an
act or. word that will give aid, counsel
or comfort to the institution of slavery
and its attendant iniquities, or close your
doors or heart against the hunted fugitives
from oppression, or bring home squirrel
unless shot through the head"
Each of these maxims harmonized COM
pletely with the youngsters mind; he
treasured them accordingly. His return
ing at the age of fourteen from match
squirrel hunt of two days duration, and
bringing home one hundred and eighty of
the "small deer" with their heads off
proved that the wood craft part was well
learned, and his subsequent career, both
in the field and office showed that the po-
litical portions of his fathers teachings
were well stored by the son. But start
ed to tell you an incident of the battle of
Gettysburg. Be patient: am coming to
that. | must reach the point by regular
approaches. At the breaking out of the
war, Old Father Giddings" was Consul
General of Canada stationed at Montreal.
| Grotius r. was in his office as Vice Con-
sui General. When the first news of the
struggle was received, young Giddings
| became restless. His father noticing the
fact, remarked to him one day, d" Grosh
what's the matter with you n " Father
replied the Vice Consul, 81 think l wan
to 90 home." 6 WE'LL" said the elder g.
have been thinking it was the best thing
you could do; and the sooner the better
| When can you get ready ?" " BY the mex
train," answered the junior.
Il On the next train he started for tn
Buckeye State. Passing through Colum
bus, he called on Gov. Dennison who wa
then in the governors chair, obtained
commission, and left for his home in Ash
tabuIa county In three and one-hal
days from the time he left Montreal, he
had his company full and sworn into thu
United States service. That company Ii
commanded in person until the battle O
Phillippi; when he was promoted to The
Majority Of the 18th Regulars, which
regiment he led at the battle of Gettys
| burg. The 18th was close to the font
and lying under the firing of the enemy
The Major was standing behind his com
mand. Behind him was large rock, anc
behind the rock sharpshooter of rebe
persuasion whom the Confederate Gen
Wilcox kept upon his staff to pluck OF
our officers. A large rock on the rebe
right of Round Top afforded safe cove
for the Albanian, who, by the way, wa
considered one of their crack marksmer
He would load his rifle behind the rocl
/ then jump on the latter and take delibel
/ ate aim at any officer he could see on ou
D line, then drop behind the rock again an
. reload. This he continued with fearfl
: rapidity and precision. Major Gidding
{ being rather conspicuous, came in for
a share of the rebels attention. At la
sick of the annoyance, he turned to ii
a sharpshooter in his rear.
e I" Here you man with the telescope riff
/. cent you bring down that rebel rifeman
, "Well, Major, I'm trying to fetch hir
i but it is long range" :" 1t is no long
o for you than it is for him, and if you dor
y shoot him he win shoot me-" said the nj
: jor. If it is all the same to you
r rather you would shoot him." But
u answered the soldier" the Johnney h;
+ one of those long ranged English Viii
y worth rifles, aod they can beat ours
'e bearing up distance" "Well,' remar
Il ed the Major, I" if you cannot hit him ste
n trying, for you only draw his attentic
r. this way, and if you don't stop it /
i shoot him myself"
ot The soldiers and others in hearir
ID smiled at what they deemed the boastir
N speech of the Majpr. just then, VIII
se came shot from the rebel sharpshoote
e which completely shaved off one-haii
te the Majors moustache. Now this hirsu
ornament was peculiar pet of the nj
Ct jor; in fact, his moustache was his prid
ne Feeling something sting rather sharply
O, close proximity to his nose, be quick
of clapprd his hand to the spot, and beho
.