Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-09-10


ers arc aware of the fact that Gen. Kemper,
whilst leading his brigade at the memorable
charge Of Pickett's Division on the bloody
heights Of Gettysburg, was shot from his horse,
and received wound Of such terrible charac-
ter that no one thought be could survive.
In speaking of him, to female cousin of his
several years since she spoke OF his wound re-
ccivcd on that occasion, and said that the first
thing that he saw, when he became conscious,
wd> his coffin.
The following letter written to the Richmond
Wing from Ashevill, n. c., under date OF
August 18th, and published in that journal on
the 2od inst, furnishes the history Of that
ride pine coffin by the soldier who made it ::
"Having followed your standard-bearer, in
storm and sunshine, during the late unpleasant
ness it is but natural that should feel u deep
interest in his election. Although | cannot par
licipate in the CANVASS | can quietly look on
from the splendid mpuntan peaks that surround
me and feel every whit US much Vlrglnan rs
if | were now Iii my native home. l feel Ike
making about three speeches, and in each l
would say al the way through hurrah for
kcmper
But let me tell you why I love the man.
From Richmond to Gettysburg we poor, worn
out soldiers lramped. Hopeless sometimes, sore
footed hungry, sad, we podded along. Were
we sick Gen. kemper would deprive himself to
relieve us; were we naked, ne would have u
clothed There was not man in his brigade
that did not love him.
"On the eve of the bloody battle of Gettys,
burg, the writer of this letter received orders
from General kemper to rernuin with the wagon
train. 1t Is not my purpose to describe the
events of that memorable day. Suffice to read
of one The battle was over. Slowly came IN
the few remaining members of hempcrs bril-
gade. The old Twenty fourth Virginia WAS lit
orally wiped out-there was not an officer for
duty. Seeing conlrade struggling through the
brush, asked where is Gen. Terry wv ound,
cd! Where is General kemper" Wounded
mortality he answered. Very soon the surgeon,
DR.. Harrison came in. | asked, Is General
kcmpcr dead !? Not dead YET but dying In
the goodness of our keart we constructed rude
coffin to bury him. took wagon and carried I.
the coffin to the house in which he lay: just
then the enemy came in view. We lett, after
dropping tear and Ugh for our beloved yen
cral, never thinking to hear from HIM again;
Months pa>sed-the rest you know. MAY Gou
spare his lie to do whatever he has asslsnco W
hun aS his duty.
1.-The rude pine coffin we made did not receive
the remains OF our beloved General-and now
away amid the mountains Of Western North
Carolina [ am writing and sending my love To
every man of kempcr's brigade, ana demanding
that they rally"
RAILROAD MEETING AT FALLS CHURCH, VA,
There was meeting at Falls Church, Fair
fax county, Va, on Monday last, at which the
following resolutions were passed:
Resolved. 1st That We rs community, fully
Appreciate the advantages to Us OF the Was hing
ton and Ohio Railroad, and desire It's final sue
cess.
"a That all the indications in q business view
show that the Washington and Ohio Railroad
can only obtain the means to complete Its track
to its contemplated western terminus on the Ohio
river and prove success, by making Washing
"a That single and reasonably low commu-
tation ticket should be furnished to passengers
/. ON this place to Washington, land from other