The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1892-09-14
FLIGHTS AND SHADOWS OF THE OLD
CAMP FIRES"
BY ONE OF THE GOLD VETS. '

came Dy inspecting the line and asked
General Griffen II he was not afraid of
losing some of them should the enemy
charge that point. General Griffen looked
a little distressed, poked out his sharp
chin, and giving his hat pull over his
eyes, as was his habit when fearfully in
earnest, replied, ''You, General Meade,
leave those batteries just where they are.
If the Johnnies charge them, will make
them think h-ll isn't half q mile of. -
General Meade smiled and rode away,
leaving the batteries 'just where they
were, and later the Johnnies did charge,
and-welI, they may have gone that
'half mile" but they did not take any
batteries with them.
At Stone River, an infantryman was
struck between the shoulders by solid
shot. He was flung forty feet or more
and reduced to pulp, and yet he was
gasping thirty seconds after being struck.
At second Bull Run, a man was shot
through the center of the forehead. He
had his guu to his face and had fred a
shet, and cried out, my God, I'm hit, :"
before he fell over on his side.
While forming battle-line 10 the
streets OF Fredericksburg, riHed shell
exploded In the ranks, when one man
was blown to fragments--so completely
wiped off the face OF the earth that not a
finger OF him was found. The man on
his right had an arm and leg blown of
and was flung ten feet away, yet he was
living and trying to speak half a minute
later. The one on his left was cut in tive
above the hips. This mans eyes did not
close for twenty seconds.
AT Spostsylvsnia, sergeant was shot
through the heart as the lines were adj
vancing. The body afterwards was ex-
amined by surgeon and he said the bull
let had passed through his heart. The
man advanced at least four steps after
being hit and then clutched at a sapling
and said; keep right on; I've been bit. I"
He must have lived fully thirty seconds
after receiving the shot.
At the battle Of Gettysburg, man was
struck by fragment Of shell, which I'M
covered the whole top OF his head. He
laid bis gun aside, stood up at full height
and then shrieked out and fell.
A shell struck the wheel of Federal
field piece toward the close OF the engage
ment at Fair Oaks, and shivering the
spokes, dismantled the cannon. swell,
isn't it lucky that didn't happen before
we used up our ammunition" remarked
one of the artlllerists, as be crawled from
beneath the gun.
| When General Pope was falling back
before Lees advance in Virginia, pri-
vate in one Of the western regiments was
MORALLY wounded by shell. Seeing the
mans condition, chaplain knelt beside
him, and opening his Bible at random,
read about Samsou's slaughter OF the
Philistines with the jaw-bone OF an ass.
He had not quite finished, when the pool
fellow interrupted the reading by saying
"Hold on, chaplain, don't deceive dy
Ing man. Isn't the name OF John Pop
signed to thatl"
AT the surrender OF Lees army, tn
Fifth corps was designated by Genera
Grant to receive the arms, flags, &c., ant
were the last OF the army 10 fall back 4
Petersburg. AS they were passing one o
the houses on the outskirts OF the town,
woman who was standing at the gat,
made use Of the following expression: al
is no wonder you-uns whipped we-uns.
have been yer three days and you-uns
amt all gone yet"
| On September II, 1869, at tue battle oil
Antietam, private Isaac p. Hopkins had
been ailing for several days. but would
not give up. He was clearly unfit fol
duty and was ordered to remain behind.
s'No, he said, 81 would rather die thar
be called coward: but / know very vel
will be killed to-day" He was the only
man Of his company who died on the fielt
that day, though many were wounded
MORALLY and otherwise.
just after the battle of Buena Vista
General Taylor happened to see grouI
of ten or twelve Mexicans some distanc,
off In consultation. Turning to Captain
Bragg, he said, "Csptain Bragg, dye SEE
that bunch OF mon over there2" Capt
Bragg said he did. swell, drive ZEN
away from there" Bragg aimed can
non and fred. All Of the Mexicans fell,
ponies and all, except two, who put spurs
to their nsgs and galloped away. Wher
General Taylor saw the result Of the shot
he took of his cap and clapping IL on hi'
knee exclaimed, ''Good hit, Capt. Bragg
by lingo; set 'em up again."
| One bright Sunday morning In August
1861, General Dix, who commanded thu
troops guarding the city Of Baltimore
walked over from Fort McHenry, attiret
in an old linen buster. instead OF thu
brass. buttoned coat belonging to his rank
Attempting to pass the line Of sentrles, i
company with an aide, the old geners
was amused at finding musket barrln
his passage, while the aide, with his gill
tering shoulder-straps, was permitted 1
enter. "Wby do you step me, my mani
inquired tile General, quietly. "My OF
ders are only to admit officers In uni
form, was the reply. "But don't yo
see that this Ia General Dix" exclaime,
the aide, angriIy. II see very well VIII
it lie, but II General Dix wants to get int
this camp, he had better go back and pu
! on his uniform" "You are quite right
SENTRY remarked the General. an g
j. back aud get my coat.