Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-12-28


GEN. GORDON READ THE LETTER
its line was badly broken and. despite
its bravely resolute defense against the
well-ordered attack OF the confederate
veterans, 1t was forced TO fail back.
Gordon's division was in motion at n
double quick to seize and hold the van
tagc ground in his 'front.' from which
the opposing line had rctrcated, when
he saw directly in his path the appar-
emily dead body of union officer lie
checked his horse and then observed
from the motion OF the eyes and lips
that the officer was still living. lie at
once dismounted, aud seeing that the
head Of his wounded foeman was lying
in depression In the ground, placed
under IL nearby lSnapsnck. While
raising him at the shoulders for that
purpose he saw that the blood was
triclfling from bullet hole in the back,
and then knew that the officer had been
shot through the breast. lie then gave
him drink from flask Of brandy aud
water. and as he revived said. bending
over him:
81 am very sorry TO see you In this
condition. am Gen. Gordon. Please
tell me who you are. | wish to aid you
all can"
Tho answer came In feeble tones:
"ThnnlS you, general. am Brig. Gen
Barlow, of New York. You can do
nothing more for me; I am dying"
Then, after n pause, he said: "Ycs,
you can Il my wife is at the hcadquar-
ters Of Gen. Meade, Ifyou survive the
battle please let her know that died
doing my duty"
Gen. Gordon replied: your message,
II | live, shall surely be given to your
wife. Can do nothing more for your
After brief pause Gen. Barlow re-
sponded: "May God bless you. Only
one thing more. Feel in the breast
pocket OF my coat-thc lcft-aud take
out n packet OF letters" As Gen. Cor
don unbuttoncd the blood-soal;cd coat
and took out the packet the seemingly
dying soldier said: Now please take
out one and read IL TO me. They orc
from my wife. 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 tho mis-
husband, whom she knew 20 be in daily
peril of his life, and with pious fcrvor
breathed prayer for his safety and
commended him to the care OF the God
of battles. As the reading of the let
ter ended Gen. Barlow said; THANK
you. Now please tear them all up
would not have them read by others"
Gen. Gordon tore them into frag-
ments and scattered them on the field,
shot sown and bladcd thick with
steel" Then, pressing Gen. IIarlow's
hand, Gen. Gordon babe him good-by,
and, mounting his horse, quickly joined
his command.
lie hastily ponned a note on the pom.
mel of his saddle, giving Gen. Barlow's
message to his wife. but stated that he
was sim living, though seriously
wounded, and informing her where he
lay, Addressing the note 10 Mrs. Gen.
Barlow at Gen. Meadc's headquarters, "
he handed II TO one OF hiNs and
told him to place a white handkerchief
upon his sword and ride in a gallop
toward the enemy's line and deliver the
note to Mrs. Barlow. The officer
promptly obeyel the orGer lie was
not fred upon, and, on being met by O
union officer, who advanced for that
purpose, the note was received and
read, with the assurance that IL should
be delivered instantly.
Let us turn from Gettysburg to the
capitol at Washington. where, eleven
years later, Gen. Gordon held with
honor, as now, IA seat as senator OF the
United States, and was present at Il
dinner party given by Orlando u. Pot
ter, a representative In compress from
the state of New York. Upon Mr. Pot
ter's introducing him 10 a gentleman
with the title Of Gen. Barlow, Cen
Gordon remarked:
Are you a relative OF Gen. Barlow,
a gallant soldier who was killed at Get
tysburg?"
The answer came; II am the Gen.
Barlow who was killed at Gettysburg,
and you are Gen. Gordon, who succored
mel"
The meeting was worthy of two such
brave men-every inch American sol
diers
! should add that on receiving her
husbands note, which had been speedi-
ly delivered, Mrs. Barlow fastened 70
the field, though not without danger
to her person, for the battle was still
in progress She soon found her hus-
band aud had him borne TO where he
could receive surgical attendance.
| Through her devoted ministrations
he was enabled 10 resume his command
of the Excelsior brigade" and add 10
the splendid reputation which II had
achieved under Gen. Siclsles, its first
commander New Haven Register.
GRANT AND THE SWEOE.
An Instance of the Crent gsnerapa Good