The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-11-02
HE ROISM IN WAR.
An EZ-C5niedeTate on the ChiValTy Of
the American Soldier.
HOW Gen. Gordon oheered and Prob
ably Saved the Life Of Wounded
Union General at Gettysburg.
II. J. MacBey, in the Courier-Journal


that contended for mastery on more
than 100 battlefelds presented the same
marked type of the American soldier.
That he is a distinct military type, of
a high order, is proved by his achieve
,nents. when individual daring and en-
durance, and quick intelligence, were
essential factors of success. That he
has not yet been confronted with any
soldierly type higher than his own, his
tory clearly attests. On no battle
field during theapast 300 years has Eng
land surrendered except to American
troops. The American soldier exhibits
in sudden emergencies marked self-re-
lance. This power Of self-command is
possessed by the American in a higher de-
gree than by the soldier of any other ma
ton. To this distinctive combination of
the highest soldierly qualities is due the
fact that in our late war no army on
either side was routed. 1t may well be
assumed that a conflict lasting four years
between great armies composed in the
main of such soldiers abounded in deeds
oil daring.
Having served at the front during the
the confederate army. many of such deeds
fell under my personal observation while
many have been related to me by credible
eye-Witnesses. They were done by brave
men of both armies, and may be viewed
with deep interest and admiration by all
true Americans. The heroes of some of
the incidents that l shall recite have
passed away Some still survive. l shall
commence with an incident in the career
of Gen John B. Gordon, of Georgia. Gen.
Gordon is the most distinguished sur
vivor of all the confederate commanders
of infantry divisions. During the past
summer a large number ofprominent citi-
zens of New York. many of whom
achieved distinction in the union army,
joined in an invitation to General Gordon
to deliver a public lecture upon Grant and
Lee in that city, at such time as he
might select. Heaccepted the cordial in
vitation and, as he informs me, he will
soon name the day and fulfill his engage
ment. The orator will, doubtless, prove
worthy of his illustrious theme, but I feel
assured that this incident will highten
public interest on the occasion.
The advance of the confederate line of
battle commenced early on the morning
of July l, 1868, at Gettysburg. The
infantry division, commanded by Mai.
Gen. John B. Gordon, of Georgia, was
among the first to attack. It's objective
point was the left of the second corps of
the union army. The daring commander
of that corps occupied a position so far
advanced beyond the main line of the
federal army that, while it invited at
tack, it placed him beyond the reach of
ready support when the crisis of
battle came to him in the rush
of charging lines more extended
than his own. The confederate adj
vance was steady, and it was bravely
met by the Union troops who for the first
time found themselves engaged in battle
on the soil of the north, which until then
had been virgin to the war. 1t was "a
far cry" from Richmond to Gettysburg,
yet Lee was in their front, and they
seemed resolved to welcome their south
ern visitors ''wlth bloody hands to hos
pitable graves But the federal TANKS
rested in air, and, being turned, its line
was badly broken and despite its bfavely
resolute defense against the well ordered
attack Of the confederate veterans, it was
forced to fall back.
Gordon's division was in motion at a
double quick to sieze and hold the want
age ground in his front, from which the
opposing line had reiterated, when he saw
directly in his path the apparently dead
body of a Union officers He checked his
horse, and then observed, from the
motion of the eyes and lips, that the
officer was still living. He at once dis
haunted, and, seeing that the head of
his wounded foeman was lying in a de-
preston in the ground, placed under it a
nearby knapsack. While raising him at
the shoulders for that pupose, he saw that
the blood was tricl1ling from bullet hole
in the back, and then knew that the Off
Ger had been shot through the breast
He then gave him a drink from a flask of
brandy and water, and as he revived
said while bending over him: Il am
very sorry TO see you in this condition.
am Gen. Gordon. Please tell me who
you are; l wish to aid you all / can"
The answer came in feeble tones
"Thank you, general. l am Brigadier
General Barlow, of New York. You can
do nothing more for me, am dying. ;"
Then, after a pause, he said Eyes, You
can my wife is at the headquarters of
Gen. Meade. If you survive the battle,
please let her know that l died doing my
duty"
Gen. Gordon replied: 'cYour message,
if live, shall surely be given to your
wife Can 1 do nothing more for your"
After brief pause Gen. Barlow re-
sponded: May Gold bless you. Only
one thing more. Feel in the breast
pocket of my coat-the left breast-and
take out a packet of letters" AS Gen.
Gordon unbuttoned the blood-soaked coat,
and took out the packet, the seemingly
dying soldier said: "Now, please take out
one and read it to me. They are from my
wife, l wish that her words shall be the
last hear in this world"
Resting on one knee at his side, Gen.
Gordon, in clear tones but with fearful
eyes, read the letter. 1t was the missive
Of noble woman to her worthy husband,
whom she knew to be in daily peril of his
life, and with pious fervor breathed
prayer for his safety and commended him
to the care of the God of battles. As the
reading of the letter ended, Gen. Barlow
SAID, Thank you. Now please tear them
all up. l would not have them read by
others"
Cen. Gordon tore them into fragments
and scattered them on the field, shot
sewn and bladed thick with steel" Then
pressing Gen. Barlow's hand, Gen. Cor
Gou babe him goodbye and mounting his
morse, quickly joined his command.
lie hastily penned a note on the pom
mel OF his saddle, giving Gen. Barlow's
message to his wife, but stated that he
was still living, though seriously
wounded, and informing her where he
Ly., Addressing the note to Mrs. Gen.
bdrlow, at Gen Meade's headquarters
me handed it to one of his staff and told
nm TO place a white handkerchief upon
ms sword, and ride in eallop towards
SHe enemy's line, and deliver the note TO
MIS- Barlow The officer promptly obeyed
sHe olncer. He was not fired upon,