Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1893-12-06
INCIDENT OF GETTYSBURG.
And Its Sequel In Washington Eleven
Years LatSr.

Tears LatSr.
The advance of the Confe derate line
of battle commenced early on the
morning of July l., 1868. at Gettysburg.
The infantry division commanded by
MAJOR General j. B. Gordon of Georgia
was among the first to attack. Its OBJ
jective 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 attack, it placed him
beyond the reach of ready support
when the crisis of battle came to him
in the rush of charging lines more ex-
tended than his own. The Confeder-
ate advance was steady, and it was
bravely met by the Union troops, who
for the first time found themselves en-
gagged in battle on the soil of the North
which until then had been virgin to
the war. 1t was "afar cry from Rich
mond to Getteysburg, yet Lee was in
their front, and they seemed resolved
to welcome their southern visitors
" with bloody hands to hospitabie
graves" But the Federal flanks rested
in air, and, being turned, its line was
badly broken and, despite its bravely
resoiute defense against the we'll Or
dered attack of the Confederate veter-
an it was forced to fall back.
Gordon 8 division was in motion at
d double quick to seize and hold the
vantage ground in his front, from
which the opposing line had retreated,
when he saw directly in his path the
apparently dead body OF Union Off
Ger. He checked his horse. and then
observed, from the motion of the eyes
and lips, that the officer was still living.
He at once dismounted, and, seeing
that the head of his wounded foeman
was lying in a depression in the ground,
placed under it near by knapsack.
While raising him at the shoulders for
that purpose he saw that the blood was
trickling from bullet hole in the
back, and knew that the officer had
been shot through the breast. He
then gave him drink from flask of
brandy and water, and as he revived
said, bending over him: II am very
sorry to see you in this condition.
am Gen. Gordon. Please tell me who
you arc. wish to aid you all l can. {"
The answer came in feeble tones:
"Thank you, General. am Brigadier
General Barlow, Of New York. You
can do nothing more for me; am dy-
ing Then after pause, he s,id:
"Yes, you can, my wife is at headquar,
ters OF General Mead. If YOU survive
the battle, please let her know | died
doing my duty"
General Gordon replied: Your
message, if | live, shall surely be given
to your wife. Can l do nothing more
for your"
After brief pause General Barlow
responded: May Cod bless you. On
ly one thing more. Feel in the breast
pocket of my coat-the left breast
and take out packet of letters" AS
General Gordon unbuttoned the blood
soaked coat and took out the packet
the seemingly dying soldier said;
Now take out one and read it to ME.
They are letters from my wife, l wish
that her words shall be the last hear
in this world"
Resting on one knee at his side, Gen
eral 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 fer.
yer breathed prayer for his safety
and commended him to the care of the
God of battles. As the reading of the
letter ended, General Barlow said
THANK you. Now please tear then
all up. l would not have them reac
by Others"
Gen. Gordon tore them into frag
ments and scattered them on the field
'shotsown and bladed thick with steel.
Then, pressing General Barlow s hand
General Gordon bade him goodby, and
mounting his horse quickly joined hi
command.
He hastily penned note on the pom
mel OF his saddle, giving Gen. Barlow
message to his wife, but stated that b.
was still living, though seriously wound
ed, and informing her where he lay
Addressing the note to Mrs. Genera
Barlow, at General Meade's headquar
ters, " he handed il to one of his staff
and told him to place a white handker
chief upon his sword, and ride in gal