Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-06-05
"A Thrilling Incident.

a writer for the Atlanta Intelligencer, in
his "reminiscences of the War, No, 81
gives the following incident of the battle of
Gettysburg:
When Gen. Longstreet advanced upon
the Federal left, its FIRST line was carried, but
the enemy, being heavily reinforced, rallied,
and IN turn. drove our portion of the Ander-
sons brigade, from the position, as well as
other brigades on our right and left. Again
we charged, and again were driven back:
This was critical moment for us; nearly
all our general officers Is ere killed or wounded.
Our heavy line had criimbled to a,iniere hand-t
ful, and the flower Of Longstreet's corps lay
Weltering in blood. We were slowly retreat
ing, leaving manly of our dead and wounded
in the. hands Of the exulting foe. The hosts
OF the enemy came on like the mighty tides
OF the ocean, and the loud paeans of victory
were already rising from their naughty lips
The blue hills in their rear were bristling
with bayOuets and pouring torrents of re-
Inducements down their winding slopes
Now, when we should have been reinforced
with 10000 troops. General Lee. had not a
man to send US. Officers broke their swords
upon the rocks, and many of.the men wcpt.
Oar dead and wounded comrades lay around
US by thousands, aud it seemed as if there
from destruction. But aid did come. A
mana solitary man threw himself before
the jugsurnaut of Federal power, and alone
and unaided, sought to stay its onward
progress. remember, as if it were but
yesterday, the zouave cap and iron, gray
beard OF the stranger. None knew him, but
all idolized him for his bravery. He moved
through the awful storm with 4 steady step.
and his uplitted sword secmedsto say to the
advancing foe, ''thus far shalt thou come.
and no farther" He said nothing, but his
god-like example made hero cf every man
who saw him. Soldiers looked in the face
OF. their comrades, and the question came
simultaneously to their blackened lips: "Who
is hep "Who is he?" echoed right and left.
far up and down the line. The enemy came
On like tornado, and the grand hero stood
envclOpcd in the smoke of their muskets like
Il lion at bay. Men forgot to reload their
pieces, or conceal themselves behind the
rocks, but stood stupefed with wonder.
" " no Is he" men groanGd-'' who is he %
officers repeated, until the cry became STANCE
~ wild and fearful! "General l,eer some
ono shouted, and the word ran along the
line like an electric flash. General Lee
toltvcr! rang loud above the battles roar.
and as one man our gallant soldiers rushed
like thunder-bolt upon the astonished foe.
"Foliow General Lre," cried our wounGed
comrades, as they lay upon the tr,rmpled
earth and tossed Up their bloody caps. No
body OF men on the broad. green earth could
have withstood the lrible impetuosity of
this onset The Federal troops though they
fought desperately, were compelled to give
back, and at last to retreat in confusion to
the heights, leaving their dead and wounded
in our hands.
But where was the Stranger? Alas! ssthe
paths of glory lead but to The grave" The
war is over now, and the brave men whom
we met that day as deadly enemies, we meet
now as friends. We would not detraet one
ray from the crown of military glory that
adorns each Of their heroes, but would do
justice to our lamented dead and if, bv this
imperfect sketch, can add one flower to the
chaplet of a fallen heroes fame, 1 shall feel
myself amply rewarded. And that hero
''who is he!" The answer comes up from
the graves of Gettysburg-General Paul J.
SEMMEs!