The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1866-02-10

He does not say he killed the rebel, bu
simply that his shot was cheered by the
Wisconsin boys, and that afterwards the
horse the rebel rode was seen galloPing.with
an empty saddle. ''That's all know about
it.
He fought until our forces were driven
back in the afternoon. He had already re
ceiVed two slight wounds, aud third one
through the arm, to which be paid little at
tention: t'only the blood running down nv
hand bothered me heap" Then. as he
was slowly falling back with the rest, he
received 3 final shot throngh the Deg.
Down vent, and the whole rebel army
ran over me-" Helpless, nearly bleeding
to death from his wounds, he lay upon the
field all night. 'About sun-up, next morn
ing, craWled to a neighbours houses and
found 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
Copperhead woman living opposite "told
on him"
"Tbat's the old man who said he was CO.
ing out to shoot some ofthe damned lebsls!'
Some off GERS came and questioned him,
endeavoring to convict him of 'bush whack-
ing;" but the old man gave them little sat
isfaction. This was on Friday, the third
day ofthe battle; and he was alone with his
vile in the upper part of the house The
rebels left, and soon after two shots were
fred One bullet entered the window, pas
sed over Burns head, and struck the wall
behind the lounge on which be was lying.
The other shot fell lower, passing through
a door. Burns is certain that the design
was to assassinate him. That the shots
were fred by the rebels there can be no
doubt; and as they were fred 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 bullet marks in the door
and wall remain.
Burns went with me over the ground
where the frat days fight took place. He
showed me the scene of his hot days work
pointed out two trees, behind which he
and one of the Wisconsin 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 or the part of so aged
citizen, and his subsequent sufferings
from wounds, naturally called out great
deal of sympathy, and caused him to be
looked upon as a hero. But hero, like
prophet, has not all honor in his own coun-
try. There's wide spread, violent preiu
dice against Burns among that class of The
towns people termed ''Copperheads." The
young men, especially, who did not take
their guns and go into the fight as this old
man did, but who ran, when running was
possible, in the opposite direction, dislike
Burns. Some aver that he did not have a
gun in his hand that day, and that he was
wounded by accident, happening to get be-
tween the two lines. Others admit the fact
of his carrying gun into the fight, but tell
lives were questionable Some, who are
eager enough to make money on his picture,
sold against his will, and without profit to
him. will tell you in confidence. after you
have purchased it, that ''Burns is a perfect
humbug."
After studying the old mans character,
eouversing both with mis- friends aud enc
mics, and sitting evidence, during four
days spent in Gettysburg. 1 formed my
conclusions. Of his going into the fight,
and fighting, there is no doubt whatever.
Of his bravery, amounting even to rash
n.
He is patriot OF the most Jealous sort;
hot, impulsive man, who meant what he
said, when he started with the gun to 90
aud shoot some OF the rebels qualified with
the strong adjective. A thoroughly honest
man, too, thin; although some of his re-
marks are to be taken with considerable al
lowance. His temper causes him to form
immoderate opinions aud to make strong
statements. He always goes beyant,"
said my landlord, firm friend of his.
speaking of this tendency to overstep the
bounds of calm judgment.
Burns is a sagacious observer Of men and
things, and makes occasionally such shrewd
remarks as this
Whenever you see the marks of shell
aud bullets on house all covered up, and
of rebel sympathizer; but when you see
them all preserved 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
hero, he is what he is, and has satisfaction
iu that, and not in other peoples opinions;
for so it must finally be with all. Character
is the one thing valuable. Reputation,
which is a mere shadow of the man, what
his character is reDuted to be, is, in the
leng run, of infinitely less importance. /
am happy to add that the old man has been
awarded pensiou.-J r. ITOsVdrid.qs IN
November AAGatic.
TaE LARGEST FARM IN THE WoRLD.-
The farm OF n. L. Sullivan, Esq, of Cham
Dai0n county Tlirio1 fornaarlv IF Ohio