Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-07-17
A New story of Gettxsburg.


n new Story Oh OettyhDurg.
Hartford Post.
In examining Batcheller's maps Of
the battle ground at Gettysburg not
long ago the disposition of Onion
brigade under Hancock at Cemetery
Hill. marked BY line at right angles
with the position occupied by Pick
ett's rebel columns, attracted atten-
ton, elicitiug an expression of sur
prise from the observer. That line, .
casually remarked one of the gentle
men examining the maps, recalls one
of the most singular incidents of the
war, an incident stranger than fiction.
embodying in itself bit of military
romance as remarkable as anything
depicted in imaginative literature. It's
a new story" added the speaker, "and
has never been in print, the principal
participants having mentioned it only
here and there in Intercourse with
personal friends" The curiosity of
his companion was aroused, and the
speaker was eagerly solicited to tell
the romance OF the unaccountable line
on the map. Twenty five years
ago or thereabouts," went on the lead
ing conversationalist, consenting to
recite what had so seldom been told.
Colonel William E. Barrows, Pres.
ident Of the Willimantic Linen Com
pany, had school friend and conn.,
panion at Phillips Academy, at An
dover, where his father was a Profess
sor in the Theological Seminary. The
boys name was Huntington jackson.
An elder brother, by the way, Joe
jackson. was Yale man somewhere
in the neighborhood of SO. When
the time came for Huntington to de-
eide on his college course he selected
Princeton. Colonel Barrows, on the
other hand, went to Lowell, and there
laid the foundation for the brilliant
business career which he has since
attained, placing him in the front rank
of New England's successful leaders.
A strong and enduring friendship had
grown up between the two boys, but
their paths widely separated, so that
they neither saw nor heard of one an
other for years.
The outbreak of the war sum-
moned Jackson from his college and
BarrOws from the Lowell factories to
the front. As fate would have it, both
we're selected for staff service, where
dash and courage, everything in a
word that is brightest and most fas-
cinating in a soldiers life, is demand.
ed. Without knowing of the others
presence, each was drawn into the
superb defence of Cemetery Hill dur
ing the three days engagement at
Gettysburg, Colonel Barrows' bri.
gade being on the advance line and
Jaekson's in reserve. As Pickett's
column was seen pushing forward TO-
ward the crest of the hill, Barrows
brigade commander cried out, MyGod!
III had but two regiments to place
in right angles with that line, we could
hold the spot against all Odds The
idea was SO completely in opposition
to military principles that it seemed
preposterous, but as the result turned
out it was an inspiration. Colonel
Barrow was ordered to gallop back to
the reserve and bring forward two reg
iments. Turning his horses head he
shot away, followed by an orderly. But
in dozen seconds he found the way
impracticable, and leaped from his
saddle to the ground, determined to
reach the reserve on foot and bring
forward the necessary troops for his
commander. Quick as thought lie
placed the bride reins of his horse in
the orderlys hand, and the next in p.
slant had disappeared in the thicket.
Colonel Barrow had not gone
half dozen rods before he felt him.
self lifted bodily from the ground and
carried forward with tremendous ra-
pidity. A heavy shell had struck the
earth just under his feet, and had
torn up loads Of debris from the sur.
face, the conclusion tearing the sole Of
one of the Colonels shoes from his
feet, and binding him with the cloud
of dust and loan. Rubbing his eyes
open when he found that there was
still life left in him, he looked up and
saw standing by his side the old school
friend and companion at Phillips
Academy, whom he had not seen fol
years. The two men, glancing at ont
another, exclaimed:
'Huntie JacksonI'
Willie BarroWI
and clasped hands with the old ardoI
and enthusiasm. But it was no tint
Tor the exchange of "reminiscences
Burning with the mission on which b.
had been sent, Colonel Barrows asket
Jackson if he knew the position of tn
reserve. Yes, replied Jackson, it i
my command The two regiment
were ordered forward and Barrow
led them with unerring accuracy Il
the position assigned by his com
handing officer. The execution
of the movement had tn
desired effect. When Genera
Hancock discovered what had bee
done he was heard to exclaim, If tn
d-n fool can be found who ordere,
this movement, I'll brsvet him. Tn
criticism was the highest of compli
ments, carrying with it an undercur
rent Of approval of the most unmili
tary OF measures, the line at RICH
angles with the rebel column unde
Pickett, 1t is the true story Of th
unaccountable line there on the map,
concluded the speaker. At the clos
Of the battle Barrows and Jackso