The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-10
THE DARK DAYS OF 1868.
General Towards Graphic Description
Of the Battle of Gettysburg.
Importance of the Battle-State of the COun-
try at the Time-Reception Of the Gen.
eral at the Arsenal.


and there was soon felt TO be sympathy be-
tween the General and his hearers. The subject
was the Battle of Gettysburg" 1t was not a
lecture, but an easy and familiar talk, ana
deeply interesting. The stage put in shape by
soldiers from the arsenal, was beautifully
draped with American flags cannon occupy
ing the center, while to the left was rack
upon which was placed collection Of shells OF
various kinds solid shot grape, canister, hand
grenades, etc. The general illustrated his de-
Bcription with two large diagrams showing the
movements of the two armies Immediately pre-
ceding and during the fighting on the field of
Gettysburg. Seated upon the stage were Major
Cress and Captain Rexford, of the United
States Arsenal, and Capt. E. F. Ritter the last
named gentleman introducing the General to the
audience.
In beginning his remarks General Howard
said there seemed to be special revival of in
terest all over the country now touching the
battle of Gettysburg. He supposed it was be-
cause it was SO near the anniversary, and be-
cause the young people of the country were
growing up and taking special interest in what
their fathers had dono to save the country, to
keep it together unbroken-and it was country
worth the looking at 1t had been the speakers
fortune to cross 1t from the Atlantic to the Pa
ciic sixteen tines and he never went across
either route without wondering at its extent and
capabilities, and country that had not slave
from the Atlantic to the Pacific, nor from the
northern to the southern border. Applause.
II am giad said he, ito look upon it to-day,
when peace reigns, and contrast it with the
year 1864 year that embraced so many
great battles. The year that gave US
Charlottesville, Gettysburg; Vicksburg where
General Grant came into special prominence; of
Chickamauga, which gave US Chattanooga 1t
was an eventful year-to those of US who loved
the Union year of great sadness and anxiety.
Some of the friends we had left behind voted
against US. The elections went against US and
the extreme peace men had come to the front,
and. while We wanted peace, we did not like it
at the sacrifice of our country. Some men. when
the draft came, stepped over into Canada. We
called some OF these men who were against us
'copperheads," and the copperheads seemed to
have the inside lines Just then. We had many
friends in England, and many enemies
The Queen was our friend IL she
had not been. the Southern Confederacv would
have been recognized. Napoean III, you remem-
her, moved men into Mexico to establish impe
rialism there That gave us great deal of I'M
easness, because it recognized our enemies and
was inimical to our interests as people. So
the year 1868 was, for the most part, dark one
The term of service CT our regiments was expir
ing, and men were going home. Our horses
were worn out in service, many died, and we had
comparatively small cavalry force left Many
many in the gloomy days after Charlottesville
deserted and went home. They are sorry now,
those of them who are alive. Our Army of the
Potomac was reduced to about eighty thousand
effective men,"
General Howard said it was difficult for the
young people nowadays to conceive the differ
ence between these days of profound peace and
those of 1863 This year had its exctements
but they were but ripples on the surface com
pared with the breakers of 1868. The Nation
was then struggling for existence. It's friends
had strong faith, but they were much depressed.
Davis and Lee seeing this, and hoping
for grand results decided to take the offensive
once more and go north to Maryland and Penn
sylyania. The Confederacy now full of hope,
its main army of Northern Virginia being 100
900 strong. well organized and its ranks replete.
The animal and other products rich and abund
ant of Maryland and Pennsylvania, would be at
their service. The sympathizers with the
cause of disunion and slavery would join
them. The peace at any price" of the North
would weaken their adversaries-and could
Lee now secure decided victory over Hooker
he could have Washington, Baltimore and Har
risbnre under his control, and dictate the terms
of separation.
Tho General described the campaign under
Hooker. Lee advanced-the battle of Brandy
Station-the cavalry ight-Milroy's discontinue
at Winchester, and Lees method of cleaning out
all Virginia. He told how Halleck would not
allow the IL. 900 mon under Tyler to go to
Hooker, and how Hooker came to be relieved
Then followed the advance of both armies. Lee
to make his stronghold az Cham bersburg, while
he pushed out to Carlisle, Kingston, York, Get
tysburg, ETC., columns for supplies and
provisions. Meade advanced cautiously in
long lire of army corps, stretching
from Gettysburg through Marsh run,
Emmettsburg, Taneysown to Winchester, Nd
the citizens were terrified and news was super
abundant NQY the enemy was at one place,
now at another AT last Lee, hearing of Meade's
advance. concentrated on his own right at Cash
town, struck Meade's left wing. The first day of
July, was then described The left wing of the
army under Reynolds, Howard and Hancock,
held its ground the first day, losing but little
distance, and securing the grand, the historic
cemetery.
Then followed the story of the second day.
Sickles's move and loss-the effort to secure from
Meade the key Little Round Top and the
fearful night fight which left Ewell's men inside
Che Union trenches for the night. He described
council of war, which voted to fight The
third day gave Slocums five hours battle of
artillery and infantry, which drove out Ewell
and regained his barrcades between McAllister's
mill and Culps hill. Then at the last Pickett's
wonderful charge, which the Chicago panorama
SO well portrayed. The General told many army
incidents, among which was story of Charley
Weis, German, little fellow. 'fWhen he first
came out he had the Bible. German Biole
his mother had given him. He used
to read it and was good boy.
But he slept with the soldiers and gathered
their rough language and by and by Charley
began to use it himself He began to swear
around my headquarters, and heard him. The
boys called him Pony / heard him swear and
one day ordered the men to take him, and
wash his mouth out we'll with soap and water
He m ace many wry faces, but think it cured
him. At Gettysburg this little fellow was in a
ravine. holding our horses. lie was behind a
big rock but piece of shell struck above his
elbow, and clipped off his arm. He was taken
TO hospital. good matron cana to him and
said, Poor little boy He resented this imme-
dlately with, I'm not poor little boy General
Howard has lost his right ARM have lost nv
left That's all there is of it,
The Generals description of the after battle