The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1866-07-20
The Natfuek Jrffsrsonian
Gettysbnrg--An Incident Relative "a
,i1l8 Major Grotias Il. Giddings.

II
blessed, memory, was dead shot
not only oratorioally considered, but
with n rifle. There was not man or
boy in Ashtabnla county, (and that
county was celebrated for fine marks.
men that could excel him either at
n squirrel hunt or shooting at tar
gct.--llis son, Grotius II. is a vtr.
liable chip of the old block. On thoso
hunting excursions of the elder Gid
dings, he was invariably accompanied
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 career which the shadowy fu.
turc had in store for him. On these
occasions the elder would say to him:
,"Grosh, my hoy, never be guilty
OF an act or word which will give aid,
counsel, or comfort to the institution
slavery and its attendant iniquitics,
or close your door or heart against
the hunted fugitive from oppression,
or bring home a squirrel unless shot
through the head" $500
AS each of these maxims complete
ly hirmonize with the natural bent of
the youngsters mind, he treasured
them accordingly. His returning,
at the age Of Ia, from match squir-
rel hunt of two days duration, and
bringing with him 1870 of the "small
deer" with their heads Off, proved
that the woodcraft part was well
learned; and his subsequent career,
both in the field and in the office,
showed that the political portions of
the fathers teachings were well stored
by the son. ...
But ! started to give you an Incl
dent of the battle of Gettysburg. BE
paticnt; am coming to that.
must reach the point by regular ap-
proachcs
AT the breaking out of the war
sold Father Giddings' was Consul
General of Canada, stationed at Mon
treal. Grotius II. was in his office as
Vice Consul General. When the first
news of the struggle was received,
lyoung Giddings became restless
His father, noticing the fact, remark
cd to him one day: "Grosh, what is
the matter with you?"
"Fathcr," replied the Vice Consul,
~ think l want to go home"
"Well," said the elder, "Ive been
thinking 1t was the best thing you
could do; and the sooner you go the
better. When can you be readyf'
"By the next train" answered the
Junior. -
i On the next train he started for the
Buckeye State. Passing through
Columbus, he called on Gov. Den
nison, who was then in the guberna
torial chair, obtained Captains
commission, and left for his home u
Ashtabula county. In three and one
half days from time he left Montreal,
he had his company full and sworn
into the United States service. Tha,
company he commanded in the field
until after the battle Of Phillippi
when he was promoted to majority
in the l4th Regulars, which regiment
: he led Mt Gettysburg. The l4th was
close to the front, and was lying un
der the fire of the enemy. The Majoi
was standing in the rear of his com
mand. Behind him was large rock
and behind the rock sharp shooter
with his telescope rifle, vainly en-
dcavoring TO silence sharp. shooter
of the rebels, whom the Conicdcrat,
Gen. Wilcox kept on his stall to picl
oil our officers. A large rock oil th
& rebel right of Round Top oilor,ied
safe cover for the Alabamian-(wh
by the way, was considered one o
). their crack marksmen.) lie woul,
/, load his rifle behind the rock, thel
! jump on the later and take deliberate
! aim at any officer he could see on ou
line; then drop behind the rock, AM
{. again reload. This he continued will
fearful rapidity and precision. Maj
Giddings, being rather CONSPICUOUS
came in for share of the rebels at
tcntions. At last, sick of the al
noyance, he turned to the sharpshoot
CT in his rear:
"ilcre, you chap with the telescC
d pic rifle, can't you bring down tina
e rebel riheman?'
y "Well, Major, l am trying to fetc
,s ,s him." replied the man; but it is Ion
h. range" n.
10 10 at is no longer for you than it
i for him; and If you don't shoot hin
= he'll shoot me-" said the Major.
}" il is all the same to you, I'd rathI
you'd shoot him."
"But," answered the soldier, "tl
g. Johnny has one Of those long rang
. English Whitworth rifles, and tn,
beat ours in bearing up at this di
tance."
"Wcll," remarks the Major, "if yc
can't hit him, stop trying, for yc
only draw his attention this way, IN
ny if you don't stoplt Ill shoot him IN.
or self" ..t
Nc The soldier and others in heariI
III !, smiled Mt what they deemed Il
ial Boosting speech of the Major. Ju
IL then, whiz came q shot from u
rebel sharpshooter, which complete
. shaved oil one-half OF the Major
'g moustache. Now this hirsutc orn
- ment was particular pct of the NJ
jor; in fact, his moustachc was i
pride. Feeling something sting raj
or sharply in close proximity to i
nose, he quickly clapped his hand
the spot, and behold one half of /