The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-11-05
AN INCIDENT OF GETTYSBURG,
And Its Pleasant Sequel i'm Washing
ton Eleven Years Later.
New Haven Evening Register


The advance of the confederate line of
battle commenced early on the morning of
July |, 1868, at Gettysburg. The infantry
Gordon, of Georgia. was among the first to
attack. Its objective point was the left Of
the Second Corps of the Union army. The
daring commander of that corps occupied
position so far advanced beyond the
main line of the federal army that, while
reach of ready support when the crisis of
battle came to him in the rush of cha -ging
lines more extended than his own. The con-
federate advance was steady, and ii was
bravey met by the Union troops who for
the first time found themselves engaged in
battle on the soil of the North, which until
"a far r', cry from Richmond to GettysbU Miss
yet Lee was in their front, and they seemed
resolved to welcome their Southern visitors
But the federal TANKS rested in air. and
being turned. the lire was badly broken,
against the weii-ordered attack of the con-
federate veterans IL was forced to fall back
Gordon's division was in motion at a
double quick to seize and hold the vantage
ground in his front. from which the oppos-
ing line had retreated, when he saw directly
in his path the apparently dead body of a
Union officer. He checked his horse, and
then observed. from the motion of the eyes
and lips, that the officer 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
il a nearby knapsack. While raising him
at the shoulders for that purpose he saw
that the blood was trickling from a bullet
hole in the back, and then he knew that the
officer had been shot, through the breast;
He then gave MIN a drink from flask of
brandy and water, and he revived said,
bending over him:
II am very sorry to see you in this con-
dition; L am General 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 Bar
lnyr- Of NnNKy 81
more for me; / am dying" Then. after ID
pause, he said: Yes. you can, my wife is
at the Headquarters of General Meade If
you survive the battle, please let her know
that / died doing my duty"
General Gordon replied: Your message
if / live, shall surely be given to your
wife. Can l do anything more for your?
After brief pause, General Barlow re-
sponded: May God bless you. Only one
my coat-the left breast-and take out Il
packet of letters AS General Gordon I'M
buttoned the blood-soaked coat and took
out the packet the seemingly dying soldier
said: Now please take out one and read
il to me- They are from my wife. / wish
that her words shall be the last l hear ia
this world.
Resting on one knee at his side, General
Gordon, in clear tones. but with fearful
eyes read the letter. 1t was the missive
of a noble woman TO her worthy husband,
whom she knew TO be in daily peril of his
life and with pious fervor breathed a
PRAYER for his safety and commended him
ia fhe care of The Cod of battles AS the
reading of the letter ended, General Bar
low said: Thank you. Now please tear
them all up. / would not have them read
by others
General Gordon tore them into fragments
and scattered them on the field shot
soyyn and bladed thick with STEEL Then
pressing General Barlow's hand. General
Gordon babe him goodbye, and. mounting
his horse. quickly Joined his command
He hastily penned note the pommel
Of his saddle. giving General Barlow's mes
sage - his wife, but stated that he was
still living, though seriously wounded, and
informing her where ne Law Addressing
the note 20 Mrs. General Barlow at
General Meade's headquarters" he handed
IL 10 one OF his STAFF, and told him to
place a white handkerchief upon his sword
and ride in a gallop toward the enemy $
line and deliver the note 10 Mrs. Barlow