The Columbus journal., 1879-03-19

WILLIE LITERARY AND RHETORIC
SOCIETY, SATURDAY, JAN. III.

SOCIETY, SATURDAY, JAN. Ill.
The last week in June, 1863, found
the Army of the Potomac creeping
up through Virginia from Fred
ricksburg, and from our most excel
lent position on tho Rappahannock,
step by step, we were drawn by
Lee TO Leesburg on the upper Polo-
mac, and here the fact dawned upon
us that we were fanked and that
the Rebels had crossed the Potomac
at Shepherdstown and Williams
port. This was unpleasant news
for us. But crossing tho river as
soon as possible we pushed on
through Maryland and into the red
clay of Pennsylvania; pushing along
through this cherry-pie state in
much mud, aud Judging from obser-
walton, but few friends 10 the cause.
We found ourselves on the eve OF
July Cd within eight miles of Get
tysburg. The morning of the Sd
found us before daybreak rushing
up the turnpike but five miles from
the battle field, where already two
Of our splendid corps had been de-
feated by Hill. On we rush 10 stay
the advance OF Lee, Longstrect,
EwelI, A. p. Hill and other old
generals, who were trying to carry
all before them, and make at least
one campaign on loyal soil. But
the loyal military say nay. And
well do you know, friends, that they
succeeded. Has il not been so?
Oh, yes, through many a bloody
war, DER many a hard-iought battle
field, have they fully demonstrated
this fact, that loyalty will break
down all oppression. But let Us on
10 the battle. Forward, double
quick" is the order, aud on we
rush, eight ranks deep, supply and
ammunition wagons mixed up with
battery and ambulance wagons. On,
on, with the sound of Howard's
cannon in our front. No man strag-
CLING, but every one determined to
do bis duty if il cost him his life
and | hold, friends, that this indi-
vidual determination to drive back
the enemy caused victory TO perch
upon our standards. About II NJ.
we leave the road, and file right,
into the field. A few, wounded,
straggle by while we form by the
right Of companies to the rear, into
column. Then comes the order
"load at will" Friends, had YOU
seen how resolutely the men OF the |
% Division, % Corps jerked the
cartridges from their boxes, and bit |
of the ends with firm-set teeth, and |
heard the ring of iron ramrods, as |
they pounded down the buck and |
ball cartridge, while no other sound |
escaped them, you would have thot
they meant business" aud that
before the war is ended Lee will /
recross the Potomac, and so il was
10 be. But let us on TO the front.
The cannonade has stopped, but the
skirmishers are picking away at one
another as our division file into line,
and look over the (soon to be- battle
field. Then we take up our position
behind the hill, there to await the
final charge, but the assault did not
take place that day. Soon nv COM
pany, the Cd u. S. l.. L., were or
dered out on the skirmish line, aud
out we went through our line OF
battle, with Hancock orders in
our minds 10 give them h-H, i'm
the red barn" Down we went.
through the beautiful clover. so soon
TO be dyed with the blood of our
fellow man. We passed through
our skirmishers and up TO the eight
rail fence. The sun was only one
hour high, when we began the old
sharp shooters game OF dueling, at
about 800 yards. See that puff of
smoke from behind that apple tree;
"spat" comes the ball into the rail
just over my head. | change my
position three feet and crack at him.
My right-hand man is getting i'm a
shot at fellow behind brick bake
oven. The man on my lett is ex-
changing shots with a Johney from
behind the well-curb; and this is
the way il goes. Often our Sharp's
rifle tells, and so does the Kentucky,
with IFS little ball that spats YOU
long before you hear its pistol-like
crack from over the way. But no
go; we could not dislodge them; so
down comes a German regiment,
and as they char ge past us, they
were dropping like Autumn
leaves" while we covered them the
best we could. They take the barn
and out-buildings, but the enemy
turn loose a battery on them, ana
rake them right and left. The brave
Germans hold their own, and their
no less brave surgeon, knowing that
the boys wanted his attention, rides
down over the field at a break-neck
pace, his gray horse, fine target for
the rebels, and soon he tails but a
few rods from the barn. Whether
the brave doctor was hurt 1 never
knaU for ra fall haol- a. o.