The National tribune., 1879-05-01
A Reminiscence Of Gettysburgh - Gen Webb's
Brigade.


The following graphic description of the supreme
the battle of Getysburgh attracting much atten-
tion ia military circles 1t is the testimony of eye
Witness Major Z. H. Ropes of the Third New Jersey,
now resident of New York City Major Ropes comes
from military family and is grandson of Col Miller,
of the of 1872 who led the charge Lundys
Lane and whose en- try sir has passed into history
Can you stand an army incident? If not you needn't
read it, that's ALL student Of the Free College of the
city of New York called the other day, mentioning
Gen Alex Webb as now president of that institution
General Webb "A train Of the stirring memories
of my life started at the name for it is ndeliby assoca-
ted with sight such man is privileged to look upon
but once in a lifetime and few men once.
1t at Gettysburgh. was arerist, and it so hap
pened that when that heroic charge made by Long
street divisions and those splendid lines Of gallant South
sweeping grandy that field up into the
very teeth of guns the time when
firing for men closely engaged with the
ederaes that they would receive much damage from
fire as the enemy would. During this interval had,
what soldier in battle rarely has leisure to watch On
little knoll just to right stood Webbs brigade of the
old Second Corps. In their front the brave Kemper
hurting down his brigade of Vrgnians upon them For
ward and backward went that thin and constantly thin
ming line of brave boys the officers rushing up and down
Dehnd the Impoverished ranks waving ter swords ana
cheering on the men, Toward the Iett OIL the le STOOD
two color sergeants bearing the only olors visible and
these they waved slowly and fro in that leaden storm
in the face of the opposing host The battlesmoke hung
like thick cloud above and in front of those brave men;
the deafening of battle, the urd line of fire dmmed
by the thcenng smoke the hoarse shouts the brave
either side who who struggled mady for victory,
the of shell and whistle of bullet sweryed those
heroic from their perilous duybhe Fate OF nation
hung upon their bayonets and they knew it. aud every
became hero | stood looking upon that
perfectly transxed, the blood tingng through every
vein sweeping great hot successive through my
frame; and a thrilling through every such you
and have felt when reading grand heroic deed of
ages past and gone Suddenly officer breaks from the
line hatesS, coatess pale leaning heavily his sword,
limping rapidly toward where stood. great shel-rent
at his right hip letting the rich blood In streams down
his leg He evidently seeking help to reach the hos
pltal? Not he When near enough to be heard above
the roar he demanded Who is the commander of this
baery?' pointed to Major Fitzhugh commanding the
artillery brigade whom he rushed and besought him
for Gods sake send section of guns the support of
his he could not hold them against that fierce
saught ten miautes longer Two guns dashed at gaOp
toward Webb enfeebled ranks they broke way right and
left with cheer and our canister tore great gaps in
Kemper's lines. He tell wounded. But
Armsead and Garnett with their brgade and again the
odds with the SoutherneTS Would brave boys be
forced give way? Would the army be cut i'll two at
that point? The sight grew maddeniug o. somebody
give the right order now, If ever The fate OF the
Of Westinghouse the country-hangs upon thread Is
there hep2 To the right terrible uackened line of
disabled artillery dead and dying men, and hercely srug
Cling lines. To the left the same But what's that2 A
flag up the hill from the rear following hard after
five solid columns of troops, doube-quekng
under that fierce July moment more and on the
flag make the blue st. Georges Cross of the Third
Division Sixth Corps and then knew that after the
word 'Gettysburgh should be written victory But
the die before they could fire shot. Webb's
brigade made fight that day which the Imperial Guard
of Bonaparte surpassed and which, for herosm
and results deserves TO be handed down among the proud
est annals of war say every In that poor, weak
line of Webbs hero that day. hit TO be ranked with
Cmur de Lion; and the went down upon that
bloody field registered to telling my
counrymen how that handful of heroes fought for the
dear old flag at Gettysburgh Again have performed
that vow,