The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1866-10-16
A sharr.heaser Dislodsed.

F
Tlsc late Joshua r. Giddinps. ofbless-
ed memory, was dead shot, not only or
atorieally eonsida1ad. bat with rife.
There was not . man IN the county d
Ashtabula land thaf county was cele-
bratod FOR fine hiarkgnen) that could
excel him either Il squirrel hunting or
al q target shot His son Grotius r. is
. vcritable chip Il the old block. On
these hunting excursions Of the elder
Giddings be was invariably accompan-
led by Grohus, aud il was during these
Nimrodian seasons that the youncster
received those lessons IN politics and
wood craft which 80 we'll fitted him for
the career which the shadowy future had
ID store for him. On these occasions
the elder would ssy 20 him, "Grosh, my
boy, peur be g1ilv ofan act Or q word
which Will give nd, counsel or comfort
TO the institution Of slavery and its at
tcndant iniquities, or close your door OF
heart against the hunted fugitives from
oppression, or bring home squirrel I'M
less shot through the head.
Each Of these maxims harmonizod
completely with the natural bent Of the
Youngsters. mind; be treasured them
accordingly His returning at the age
of fourteen from match squirrel hunt
Of two days duration, and bringing him
ono hundred and eighty Of the "small
decrs with their heads of, proved that
the wood craft part was well learned,
and his subsequent career, both in the
field and office, showed that the politi-
cal portions Of the fathers teachings
were well stored by hisson. But start
ied to tell you an incident Of the battle
of Gettysburg. BE patient; I am com
ing to that / must reach the point by
regular approaches. At the breaking
out Of the war, "Old Father Giddings
was Consul General Of Canada, station
ed at Montreal. Grotius r. was in his
office as Vice Consul General. When
the first news of the struggle was re-
ceived, young Giddings became restless
His father noticing che fact, remarked
to him one day, "Grosh, what's the mat
ter with you?" Father" replied the
Vice Consul, 81 think / want to &c
home" "Well," said the elder, "I'ye
been thinking it was the best thing you
could do; and the sooner the better.
"When can you get ready?" "By the
next train, answered the junior,
On the next train he started for the
Buckeye State Passing through Col
umbus he called ON Gov Denison, who
was then in the governors chair, obtain
ed commission, and left for his home
in Ashtabula county. In three and one
half days from the time be left Montre-
al he had his company full and sworn in
to the United States service. The com
pany he commanded in person until The
battle Of Philhppi when he was pro-
noted to Major Of the 14th Regulars,
which regiment be led at the battle Of
Gettysburg. The 14th was close to the
front, and lying under the fire Of the
enemy. The Maj5r was standing be-
hind his command. Behind him was a
large rock, and behind the rock a sharp
shooter Of rebel persuasion whom the
confederate General Wilcox kept upon
his staff to pluck off our officers. A
large rock on the rebel right of Round
Top afforded safe cover for the Ala
bamian, who, by the way, was consider
ed one Of their crack marksmen. He
would load his rifle behind the rock,
then jump on the latter and take delib-
crate aim at any officer he could see on
our line, then drop behind the rock again
and reload This he continued with
fearful rapidity and precision. Major
Giddings, being rather conspicuous
came IN for a share of the rebels atten-
ton. At last sick Of the annoyance, he
turned to the sharpshooter in his rear
Here, YOU man with the telescope
rife, can't you bring down that rebel ri.
heman?" "Well, Major, ! am trying tc
fetch him but it is long range '1t
is no longer for you than it is for him
and if you don't shoot him he will shoot
me" said the Major "If it is all the
same to you I'd rather you would shoot
him. but, answered the soldier, "tht
Johny has one Of those long range Eng
lish Whitworth rifles, and they can beat
ou bearing Cup this distance" Well,
remarked the Major, IF you cannot hit
him stop trying, for you only draw his
attention this way, and if you don't STOP
I it I'll shoot him myself"
The soldiers and Others in hearing
smiled at what they deemed the boast
ing speech Of the dajor just then,
whiz came n shot from the rebel sharp
shooter, which completely shaved Of
one-half Of the Majors moustache. Now
this hursute ornament was a particular
I pet Of the Major; in fact, his moustache
Was bis pride. Feeling something sting
rather sharply in close proximity to his
nose, he quickly clapped his hand to the
spot, and behold one-half of his upper
lip was shorn Of its glory To say that
the Major was mad would be drawing
it rather mild.
/ Quickly snatching up Springfield
rife from one Of his men, be dropped
behind a rotten stump and literally laid
low for the rebel In few moments the
game appeared, and quickly drawing bis
piece to bis shoulder be sent his ball
crashing through the skull Of the color
corporal, within three feet Of the Major
But il was his last shot, for befort be
could fraiu lFig covert the Major let drive