Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-02-23

WIS marching through Marylunu. IN the
afternoon of that day ] was sent forward
by tho brigade commander, Gen. George ..
Stannard, OF whose STAT was a
member, With report to 3an. John
L. l,ayno!ds, commanding tte Let corp
mud tho right wing ct the Army of the ro-
tumec.
Our brigade had bear marching hard for
six days to overtaie tho corps, and had gain
ed G full days march ON it in that time;
but was still hall days march behind
it, and to reach the corps headquarters in
volved a ride OF 10 miles and back, IN the
strong current Of the Army OF the Potomac,
moving to the North to resist the invasion
CT the Army Of lirgiuia.
The march os an army Of 100 900 men "a
en- imposing spectacle, even though the Uni
forms DO dusty aud the marcher5 foot sore,
and the scenes OF that aftcrnoou are quI.o
distinct in my memory how all the roads
ami avenues throughout wide stretch of
country were thropgel with artillery aad
army Wagons, how the newly made but al
roaly bare-snd hord-trodacu pathways
alon. tile roadsllss were flied with troops
how tho very Landscape seemed to move
with the movement Of armed U9l.
1t was after sun down when | reached the
head o; the column OF the corps. taon halt
ed fer tbs night
FOUND GIN. REYNOLDS.
found Gen. Reynolds at little country
tavern AT MARSH Run, about five mics from
Gettysburg. lie was resting from the
fatigue OF the day, his tall form stretched
at full length upon wooden settle. Ho
received my report without rising, aad
scarcely raising his head froal his arms, fold
cd under it for a pillow; made some in
in a ne q
Vermont brigade; sent back a message to
Gen. Stauuard, aud remarked that he was
glad to have the brigade (Which had boon
just attached to his corps JOIN the corps,
Cor ne thought al the mon tA5y could got
might he needed before r1uny hours.
This was my first and last sight Of this
bravo and able general, who had been Of
iered, and declined, the command Of the
army before IL was ton lsrel to Gan. Meade,
AMI who was every inch soldier. Next
rnoruing he was hey ond tue need Of man or
moftlI aalp, wlt1 the bell OF q confederate
sharpshooter in hia brain.
When / returned 20 the brigade, bivouncl-
ing near EmittsbucG that night, the word
was cunning through the ranks that 80, 900
''rebs' in Cashtown, Pa, y miles
away. Lee, then hal turned back from
harrisburg. The armies were converging.
How long before they would meet in mortal
ttruggts On the soil OF o free State
FIRST NEWS OF GETTYSBURG.
The trst news that the battle had begun
reached US about noon oil Wednesday, July
/, when c1urieT, squirting 4 Tired horse,
met Gen. Stennard rId.1y at the head OF his
brigade, eight or nine miles south of Gettvs-
burg, with word from Gen. Doubleday that
II hg fight was III progress ct Gettysburg
had Succeeded to the command OF the st
corps; that the corps ami cavalry were
lighting large part Of the rebel army an1
having hard work 10 hold their ground, and
that Gtannard must hasten forward as fast
Us eIsble
lie did 80, but TIA heat was oppressive,
The inea were tired with outmarching, day
after day, troops much more used 10 march
ing, and they moved all too YEARLY TIL,
crossing q crest four or five milos from the
field, the heavy roar of cannon in front
reached all ears.
The sound seemed to put life into tue
men, and there was tagging after that.
The brigade was taking circuitous route
10 Gettysburg, t. avoid the roads flied with
other troops, ard saw more OF what DR..
Holmes calls "taa red rays OF tho battle --
tie bloody man and loaded ambulanccs
hLIcdIDlnS 70 liiS FeaT-GlONS luO way.
What most Impressed me as we neared
Gettysburg were the group, of excited in
habtants Of the region, most OF them
women, gathered along the road wherever
there was an outlook toward the field.
ANXIOUS FACES.
l seem to see still tie anxious facss ben;
upon us with varied eXpressi ions, some seem
ing by their sad gaze, TO say, 'alas, tina
these too SHOULD DO food for powder" while
tho eyes of others, they glanced down th(
long column OF the brigade which had more
men in IL than soma divisions lighted with
hope, and they waved us on as to certain
victory.
The smoke OF the battle was now mount
ing high over the fed, and the ''sultrj
thunder of Gettysburg" rolling coatinu
ously and heavily, filled the an. Abou
sundowu, as the brigade reached the out
skirts OF the field at Nilioughby Run, Wa
egaIn sont forward to report its arrival /,
the division commander and to learn where
it was to take position
The artillery firing had ceased but III
cGTblnes were cracking on the plain wher,
Butord's cavalry was guard Iug the lett o
the Union position. Riding inside of hi
skirmish line took my way to low hill
which seemed to be the centre OF opera
tons.
Batteries were in position on the brow
and troops were forming on Its top. 1t wa
Cemetery Hill, aud the troops OF the lit
corps we're taking position, after their re
treat through the village, on the new lin
OF Defence to IL set an anticipated attac
from Eweil's corps, then apparently form
jnG for an assault at the foot Of the hill.
ON CEMETERY NIL.
The first man spoke to on toe bill was
field officer, ! think colonel, who was d.
Eeclng the disposition Of line OF battle
A white handkerchief was wound aroua
his neck, through tbs folds OF which bloo
was oozlng from wound Ia his throat.
1t did not seem TO affect his voice however
BE toll ms tho troops IN front were Oli
regiments, of Stein wehr's division, and Iii
rected mo where he thought / could find
portion OF tbs First Corps.
found Gen. Eowley, who WIS then CON
mandng tho third division OF that corp,
stretched on the ground by little whit
house, which | think was tue ono in whic
had hn.