The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1880-03-26
CoNTTNttED FROM FIRST PAGE.

were torn limb from limb caissons eNplOueu G..
one after another in rapid succession, blowing :,
the gunners to pieces No spot within our :.
lines was free from this irightful iron rain. :.
The infantry hugged close the earth and a
sought every slight shelter that our light
earthworks afforded. 1t was literally a storm
shot and shell that the oldest soldiers there
those who had taken part in almost every
battle of the war-had not yet witnessed
That awful, rushing sound of the flying mis-
sies, which causes the firmcst hearts to quail
is everywhere.
At this tumuluous moment we witness a
deed of haroism such a. we are apt to attri
butte only to the knights of the olden time.
Hancock, mounted and accompanied by his
staff, Major MITCHELL Captain Harry Bing
ham, Captain Isaac Parker aud Captain L.
y. Bronson, with the corps flag flying in the
hands of brave lrishman, Private James
Wells, of the Sixth New York Cavalry start
ed at the right of his line, where it joins the
Taneytown road, aud slowly rode along the |
terrible crest to the extreme left Of his po-
sition, while shot and shell roared and crash
ed around him, and every moment tore great
gaps in the ranks at his side.
"Stonnd at with shot and shell,
Boldly they rode, and we'll"
1t was gallant deed and withal not a
reckless exposure of life, for the presence ard
calm demeanor of the commander as he pass
cd through the lines of his men set them an
example which an hour later bore good fruit
and neryed their stout hearts to win the
greatest and most decisive battle ever fought
on this continent. For an hour after the tir.
ing began our batteries replied vigorously
and then ceased altogether, but the rebel
shells came as numerous as ever. Then, for
over half hour, not soul was seen stirring
on our line-we might have been an army Of
dead men for all the evidence of life visible.
Suddenly the enemy stopped their fre,which
had been going on for nearly two hours with
ont iutermission, and then the long lines Of
their infantry--eighteen thousand strong
emerged from the woods and began their ad-
vance.
At this moment silence reigned along our
whole line. With arms at a right shoulder
shift" the divisions of Longstreet's corps
moved forward with precision that was
wonderful beautiful. 1t is now our turn and
the lines that few moments before seeme q
80 still now teemed with animation. Eighty
of our guns open their brazen mouths solid
shot and shells are sent on their errand OF
destruction in quick succession. We see
them fall in countless numbers among the
advancing troops. The accuracy of our fire
1, ll,l, tha 10
in the ranks, tearing and rending them in
every direction. The ground over which
they have passed is strewn with dead and
wounded. But on they come the gaps in
the ranks are closed as soon as made. They
have three.quarters Of mile to march, ex-
posed to our fire, and half the distance j:
nearly passed. Our gunners now load with
canister and the effect is appalling but still
they march on. Their gallantry is passed
all praise-It is sublime Now they ar,
within hundred yards. Our infantry ris,
up aud pour round after round into thes,
heroic troops.
THE GALLANT MEN OF THE SOUTH.
At Waterloo the Old Guard recoiled be
fore less severe fire. But there was no re
coil in these men of the South--tney mar
ched right on as though they courted death
They concentrate in great numbers an,
strike on the most advanced part of ali
line. The crash of musketry and the cheer
of the men blend together. The Philade!
phia brigade occupy this point. They ar
fighting on their own ground and for thei
own State, and in the bloody hand to-hant
engagement which ensues the Confederate
though fighting with desperate valor, find
impossible to dislodge them-they are root
ed to the ground. Seeing how utterly hope
hopeless further effort would be ant
knowing the impossibility of raching thei
own lines should they attempt to retreat
large numbers of the rebels lay down thei
arms and the battle is won. To the left o
the Philadelphia brigade we did not get t.
such clore quarters Seeing the utter an
inhalation of Picketts troops, the diyisiol
of Wilcox and others on their rgh
went to pieces almost before they got within
musket range, A few here and there Iu
away and tried to regain their lines bu
many laid down their arms and came in a
prisoners. At the most critical momen
Hancock fell, among his men, on the lin
Stannard's Vermont brigade, desperatel
wounded, but he continued to direct tn
fight until victory was secured, and then h
sent Major Mitchell to announce the ga
tidings to the commander of the army
Said he: Tell General Meade that tn
troops under my command have repulse
the assault of the enemy, who are now fly
ing in all directions in my front" ''Say t
General Hancock" said Meade n reply g
regret exceedingly that he is wounded, an
that thank him for the country and my
self for the service he has rendered to-day
Truly, the country may thank General Har
cock, rs gress afterward did, for his sci
vice on that field,
Five thousand prisoners were sent to Ii
rear, and we gathered up thirty-three reg
mental standards in front of the secon
corps. The remaining hours of dayligl
during this day were spent in caring for ii
wounded, looking over the field aud talkr
over the incidents of the fight Many mob
officers and men were lostlon.both sides,a
III lne CAMP hospllal thty uleu III hunufe'
during the afternoon and night. The reb
General Arminsted died in tins way. As
WAS being carried to the rear he was met
Captain Harry Bingham, of Hancocks Sta
who, getting off his horse, asked him if
could do any thing for him, Armistead r
quested him to take his watch and spurs
General Hancock that they might be Sc
TO his relatives. His wishes were compli,
with, General Hancock sending them
his friends the first opportunity. Armiste'
was brave soldier, with a most chvalr
presence, and came forward in front of h