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

"Whatl" shrieked the impetuous veteran,
tomorrow morning-to Philadelphia I'll
start within fifteen minutesl"
There was bustlng and buzzng, the
surgeons, assistants and ambulance masters
all joining in, and finftly the surgeon said
he should art by midnight
"Nol' said the general, calmer now, but as
decide as ever, perhaps, | was too hasty;
I'll give you one hour to start me on the road
to Philadelphia"
The general then called for a cigar, and be-
fore darkness came on the blue streaks of
smoke were curling above his litter as he
moved on MANNED, but saughty and defiant
homo on a stretcher by u company of men to
Winchester.
AN ARTILLERY PRELUDE.
This was Lees initiative to Pickett's
charge, the fire from 13S cannon concentrated
on Meades left center. Under it fell soldiers
with cigars between their lips or food in their
hands, while some were killed as they lay
sleeping or doing Eighty Union guns took
up the challenge in reply. Meade and Han
cock rode along the line on the ridge to en-
courage the men to stand to their places, and
band struck up "The Star Spangled Ban
ner." Lee and Longstreet exposed them
selves to the fire on Seminary Ridge, and
as it were, that they were mortal, or else
despised the thickening danger.
Under the cover of that fire came Picketts
column on their famous charge. The charg-
ing line really had three columns, Wilcox
brigade and Pickett's and Heths divisions,
although Pickett alone reached the objective
+ point, the copse of trees at Ziegler's Grove.
This latter column moved one mile, the last
third of it under a sweeping canister fire.
The ground was so much exposed that the
Union officers, when they saw the purpose Of
the enemy, were astounded. There was des-
perate work done, though, and the men who
saved the line richly earned their glory.
The closing scene of this fight is told in the
official report of Capt Andrew Cowan, First
New York Independent battery:
| - | received orders to move to the
crest with Gen. Webb's brigade, as the
enemy was advancing. | moved up at q
gallop and came into position, several other
batteries on my right and left. The Con
federate skirmishers had just commenced
firing, and their second line was advancing
from the woods. 4 | commenced fir
ing canister at POO yards and the effect wa:
greater than ] anticipated. My last charge
Ia double header) literally swept the enemy
from my front, being fired at less thar
twenty yards My battery was The
only one remaining on this part of the hill
the cannoneers being driven from ten piece
on my right and the batteries on my lief
having retired"
THE CAVALRY COMBATS.
Instances of individual heroism in tn
Union lines during this caunOnade an
charge would include nearly every regimen
and battery engaged. The bravery of tn
officers was conspicuous. Cushing, mortal,
wounded, nervcd himself Tor u parting shot
Gibbon and Hancock were wounded Will
directing an attack on the flank Of Pick tt
column, and Webb, severely hurt, aud sec
Ing the desperate situation of his brigade, rt
Cxivng the full force of the assault, stag
gered back to a battery and asked for
couple of cannon to come to his aid.
During the movements preliminary to tn
great assault, Gen. Fitzpatrick, with ii
cavalry brigades of Merritt and Farnswortl
; crossed over to the ives of Plum Run, belo
; the mountainous ridge where Longstreet
; columns were resting after their fierce bait
of the Is 'ond day, and attempted to sci.
; EmmitsbL Dad. Longstreet's successes
pushing Sick.es back had opened this road I
, the Confederates, who used it at this poil
for bringing up supplies. Tho ground hel
WIS rough, cut up by lanes and ridges, an
crossed 10y stone fences, which the iufantr