Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1871-04-07
5flisfclianY.
An Incident of Gettysburg.


a very interesting sketch, entitled Lee
at Gettysburg" from which we take the
folloving;
When night closed upon the Crane
scene our army was repu,sed. Silence
and gloom prevailed our camps VIZ
knew that the day had gone against us
but the extent of the disaster was moi
known except in high quarters, The
carnage of the day was reported to have
been frightful, but our army was in re-
treat, and we all surmised that with to-
morrow's dawn would come a renewal OF
the struggle: and we knew if such was
the case those who had not been IN the
fight would have their full share in the
honors and the dangers of the next day
All felt and appreciated the momentous
consequence of final defeat or victory on
that great field. These considerations
made that, to us, one Of those solemn
and awful nights that every one who
fought through our long war sometimes
experienced before great battle.
Few camp fires enlivened the sccne.--
1t was warm summers night and the
weary soldiers were lying in groups on
the luxuriant grass of the meadows we
occupied, discussing the events of the
day or watching that their horses did not
stray off in browsing around. About
eleven o'clock horseman approached
and delivered message from Gen. Lee,
that he wished to see me Immediately
l mounted at once, and, accompanied by
Lieutenant McPhail of my staff, and
guided by che courier, rode about two
miles toward Gettysburg, where half q
dozen small tents on the roadside were
pointed out as General Lees headquart-
ers for the night. He was not there, but
was informed that / would find him
with Gen. A. p. Hill half mile further
ON. On reaching the place indicated, a
Pickering, solitary candle, visible through
the open front Of q common tent. showed
where Generals Lee and Hill were seated
on camp stools, with a county map -
spread upon their knees, and engaged in
low and earnest conversation. They
ceased speaking as approached, and af-
ter the ordinary salutations General Lee
directed me to 60 his headquarters and
wait for him. He did not return until
about one o'clock, when he came riding
alone at slow walk and evidently wrap
ped in profound thought.
There was not even sentinel on duty
and no one of his staff was about. The
moon was high in the heavens, shedding
q food of soft silvery light almost as
bright as day, upon the scene. When he
approached and saw us, he spoke, refined
up his horse, and essayed to dismount.--
The effort to do SO betrayed so much ply
steal exhaustion, that l stepped forward
to assist him, but before l reached him
he had alighted. He threw his arm across
his saddle to rest himself, and fixing his
eyes on the ground leaned in silence upon
his equally tired horse the two forming
q striking group, as motionless as statue.
The moon shone full upon his massive
features, and revealed an expression Of
sadness had never seen upon that fine
countenance before, in any of the vicis.
situdes of the war through which he had
passed. waited for him to speak until
silence became painful and embarrassing
when to break it, and change the current
Of his thoughts, remarked in sympa.
thetic tone, and in allusion to his great
fatigue:
General, this has been hard day on
YOU
This attracted his attention. He look
ed up and replied mournfuIly.
"Yes, it has been sad, sad day to us,
and imediately relapsed into his thought
full mood and attitude. Being unwilling
again to intrude upon his reflections
said no more. After minute or two h,
suddenly Strengthened up to his full heigh
and turning to me with more animation
energy and excitement of manner than
had ever seen in him before, he addresse,
me in voice tremulous with emotion
and said:
General, / never saw troops behav
more magnifcently than Pickett's divi.
ion Of Virginians did to-day in thei
charge upon the enemy. And if they ha
been supported, as they were to have bee
but for some reason not yet fully eS
planned to me,-they were not. we woul
have held the position they SO gloriousl
won at such fearful loss of noble lives
and the day would have been ours"
After moment he added in a tone n
most of agony:
Too bad 1! Too bad - On TOO BAD ~
never shall forget, as long as l liv
his language, and his manner, and h
appearance and expression of mental su
feripg. Altogether il was a scene that