Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-06-22

SUMMIT OF ROUND TOP.
burg and the poor cattle of the fields seemed
to share in the terror of their owners as they
roamed in strange pastures, driven by the
moving lines of battle from farm to farm"
FoRLoRN HorE STRUGGLES.
When the battle was resumed on the sec
ond day it was with phalanx against pha-
lanx, the stout ranks of Longstreet rushing
upon Sickles' men between Devils Den and
the Peach Orchard on the Union left flank.
The attack was made at 4 o'clock. Rows of
Confederate cannon opened with deadly eff
feet, and the infantry moved up to deliver
that form of assault most dreaded by the
best of soldiers, a Ranking movement The
force of it was against Sickles left center
his weakest point, occupied by thin line Of
infantry and the Ninth Massachusetts bat
terry, under Capt. John Bigclow. The Ninth
belonged to the artillery reserve and was
posted here by the chief of the brigade Ma
Freeman McGivcry, with the order to "hod
the ground until get two batteries on the
ridge. Give them grape and canister
Confederate battery advanced and unliu-
bered close to Bigelow, and the infantry
rushed upon his guns so close as to Toe blown
to fragments. Some climbed upon the
limbers and shot down the horses. When
McGilvery had placed the rear batteries in
position Bigelow retired two of his pieces 10y
the aid of ropes and the force of the recoil
at each discharge. More than half Of his
men and officers were down, and or arriving
at the Trostle house, where there was a com.
handing knoll, he made another stand until
he was completely surrounded, and then or
dered his men to save themselves Now be-
can a fight for life and freedom. and the bat
| terry spikes and sponge stats were used in de-
Tense. Private Ligal Drained "A Confederate
with the heavy head of his rammer. Bige-
lows fight forlorn hope and lasted
| three hours, and in it he expended over three
tons of ammunition. Eighty out of his
lightweight horses fell, two officers were
killed, and Bigelow was severely wounded {;
| and of the men seven were killed and sixteen
wounded, while but two surrendered.
Among the infantry re-enforcements that
came to Sickes' aid in the heat Oh the stlug-
gle were the brigades of Brooke. Cross,
| Zook and Kelly, of Caldwell's division, Han
cocks Second corps. AS kelly's men THE
Irish brieadel came up to the line of fire the
commander ordered halt, and each soldier
knclt while priest pronounced absolution
on all who might fall Mingled with his
solemn "Amen!n sounded the word For
of Corcoran and Meagher, now reduced t.
six companies all told, moved on under their
| banners of the green and the blue. Zool:
went forward not less gloriously. \ staff
officer was riding across the field to find
Caldwell and ask for aid at threatened
point, and he CHANGED to meet Xool, before
Caldwell appeared. To save time he asked
Xook to 20 with him. MY orders are tC
follow the column said Zook. But glance
to the lines told him that this was no time f0I
G. "cmony, and he added: If YOU will Civ,
me the order of Gen. SickleS ! Will obey it,
Then his order is that Won file youI
brigade to the right and move into action
here
Zook wheeled his men out of column ant
started across the Wheat Field, but exhausted
and disorganized masses of men, driven bach
from the front, INSTRUCTED his march. FOOL
now cried out
Men, if you cannot get ont of the way liz
down and let me march over you"
So the column went on and Zook fell a
the head of it, living just long enough Il
hear the shouts of victory when the field wa
won. looks successor, Col r. 7. Roberts, O
the One Hundred and Fortieth Pennsyl
vania, was also killed here, and three othe
regimental commanders were wounded
The One Hundred and Fortieth lost 2i
men, over half its strength, and the spiri
that moved the men was exhibited by
STRIPPING in the ranks who was warned t
shelter himself from the sharpshooters
terrible aim. Drawing himself to his ful
height he swung his arms out detiantly, an
answered: ~ am on the soil of Pennsylvani
now, and if they get me down they'll have t
shoot me DOWN.
When Sickles angle had been broken Their
was a new rush from the Confederate lin,
extending up the EmmitSburg road to Har
cocks front. As this latter officer came ridin
down the field he saw group of Souther
battle flags advancing toward Thomas req
lar battery, and there was no infantry g
hand excepting eight companies of the Fir'