The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-03-25
A War INCIDENT.

burg and while we sincerely mouTueo tHe
loss of many a brave cOmrade who had gone
down in that hard-fought struggle tie
seyerest test and most important battle OF
the war in many respects-we could not fan
20 rejoice when the sun rose bright and clear
on the morning of the 9Th over most glor-
ious and happy result.
1t is of something which occurred that
day that write this little sketch In regard
to the experience Of a lieutenant OF the
Twenty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers,
whom | will call Candy. and who Was In
charge Of the Sixth Corps ammunition train.
Late On the night of the 9th Candy was
sent for, if my memory serves me correctly,
by Major-General Wright, commanding the
c0rps.
Lieutenant, | want you to take your am
munition train and start with the first streak
of daylight by the most direct road Tor En-
mittsburg. You must nOt-start later than
O'Clock. You must not fail under any cir-
eumstances, and the corps coming by
Waynesburg will be there to meet YOU on
shall have detail OF one company of the
Twenty-seventh Massachusetts to act as
guard and remove any distractions. You
understand, lieutenant, no failureT
at shall be done promp tly, general;
and the lieutenant departed Into ono OF tie
worst storms Of thunder, lightning and rain
that ever followed neayy DatIe, aud one
was always sure TO do so.
Emmittsburg, Md, is ten miles from
Gettysburg, over a fine road, through one
of the most beautiful agricultural regions
conceive be
IIeptenant Candy got out his train and
his pioneer party on time, and also Lieu
tenant Langdon, the ordnance officer. The
storm had passed away and the rudy dawn
was Just breaking as they passed over the
battlefield, where blood and ruin and many
yet unbured corpse attested the horrd
carnage which had but few hours before
rioted over the DOW quiet scene.
Half a mile of progress brought them to
an ahattis of stout trees across the road,
around which detOuT had TO be made.
Then came at intervals for the first mile or
two fences, bitches and other instructions,
left behind by the enemy 70 prevent pur-
suit by cavalry.
Langdon, after studying some time. sud-
denly said
81 say. Candy. don't this thing look
little shaky to you?
'As to hOw?" Queried Candy.
"Whv, our straying off this way with
only handful of men, and them with their
guns in the wagons and axes On their
shoulders"
"Oh, us all right. I guess. ANYHOW, 1t
don't east me darned cent. Old Wright
kUlU ilib 10 idh6 Wis VI an w kRs
and III take 1t there, unless the gentlemen
ahead Of Us have carried il of"
Nothing more was said on the subject, and
the train podded on, officers and men
loudly adnliring the delightful country
through which they passed, and which, as
the bright sun came up, showed itself en-
,rely barren Of every living thing. The
PEOPLE had left their houses, the barns were
tenantless Of cattle, and the vacant pastures
were beauteous bank.
The sun was about half an hour high
when, upon reaching the summit of a slight
elevation, Emmittsburg lay before them
mile away across the little valley, through
which a small stream gracefully meandered.
The hills beyond the town were enYeI0ped
in dense fog. which slightly obscured the
prospect down to the houses farthest away
from the direction of approach.
Candy gave directions TO his wagon mas
ter to double up the train at the stream
where the road widened, and to water his
mules. Then he and I.angdon rode up into
the town 10 look after the Sixth Corps.
Everything in the streets was as quiet as the
tomb. Not an open door or shutter, or even
curl OF snake, Indicated that there was
life within the place.
After thorough but cautious inspection
they rode up the main street to the suburbs
and found what was evidently hotel of
some pretentOns ordinarily, but no amount
OF kicking could produce landlord. They
rode back to the burnt district" where a
fire had seriously rayaged the town, but
there was nobody 20 be ound. They refined
up their horses, when Langdon said:
This Is q cussed humbug."
''Second the motion"
What are you going to do now?"
Nothing"
Wherefore nothing?"
''Nc orders Fulfilled 'em all. I'll pack
the train now, get breakfast and wait for
the Army of the Potomac to move"
Hell! there's smoke"
$50 there Is. Blessed harbinger of human
lily and hot coffee. Let's interview it."
They rode up to the house and dis
found a man washing his face. To him
Candy said:
"Do you know where the Sixth Corps
lies?"
The man muttered something, and then
dab0ed his face into his two handsful Of
water with splitter like a steamboat
wheel.
Cant you answer. sir? Have you seen
the Sixth Corps ?"
The individual rubbed his head vigorously
with an immense towel. out OF which he
grumbled:
Done know EN-
sixth Corps, Union Army"
Mhleh be they, now, blue 'uns or gray
'uns? | see lots O them round here lately
o. both kinds"
well. If it will help your understanding
T.
mo, there hain't been no blue 'uns about
here lately. But about two weeks apo-O
Blast your two weeks! Have you seen
any soldiers around here last night or this
morning ?"
''Oh. yes. there's sojers about here. lots
OF them."' and he felt ieisurely away down
In his pantaloons for comb that he didn't
find.
Where are they?" mpatiently demanded
Candy.
ION. you want to see the sojers, do you Pr
Yes. and thunderin' quick. too"
well, Just come around the corner of the
kitchen, and I'll show you the road over to
where they be-"
Going to the place Indicated, he pointed
across the short half mile that interviewed
between tne Town and the Catholic convent
woods, and there, where the sun had lifted
the log. gittering in the fair morning light.
were four as pretty brass 3-inch Napoleons
as ever started an orphan asylum Two
held-giasses were quickly leveled. and then
swo very gallant officers stared at each other
b!ankly.
"A rebel battery. as Pm sinner"
Langdon, you assert most vicious and
uneompromising fact.''
Lets 20 home"
Not TIL we send that ammunition train
hIgher tnan Gilderoy's kite il they make a
move. Ii we ever start up that hill they'll
see us, now the fog is off, and tben-but
Why multiply words? Let's get ready to
blow up"
Bean't them your fellows over there o''
no. my luminous friend" said Candy,
grayeiy Owing to lamentable difference
10 manners and equipments. them's not our
ieilows over there; and. furthermore Pm
thinking II that Internal Sixth Corps don't
t9rn up shortly. we stand very good chance
OK oeing "a ken In by those fellows"
To ride back into the little valley w hare
the train was hid from sight, unhltch the
mules and scatter loose hay and broken
cartridges all along the train was but the
work OF few minutes. after which the
worried officers rode up into town again to
Teconnoiter. The obnoxious battery seemed
disposed to be quiet but observant and sew.