Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1893-12-13
An Incident of Gettysburg.
he Ner Haren Eeenina Reais.sr.

fantry division commanded by Major
Gen. John B. Gordon, Of Georgia, was
among the frsi to attack. Its objective
point was to the left Of the Second Corps
Of the Union Army. The daring com
mander of that corps occupied a position
so far in advance beyond the main line
of the Federal army that. while it invit-
ed attack, it placed him beyond the reach
of ready support when the crisis OF battle
came 10 him with the rush OF charging
lines more extended than his own. The
Confederate advance was steady, and u
was braveIy 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. Il was "a far cry" from Richmond
10 Gettysburg. yet Lee was in their front,
and they seemed resolved 10 welcome
their southern visitors with bloody hands
to hospiiable graves" But the Federal
flank rested in the air, and being turned,
its line was badly broken and, despite lis
bravely resoutc defence against the well
ordered attack of the Confederate veIe-
rams, it was forced to fall back.
GOrdon's division was in motion at
double quick to seize aud hold the van
tage ground in his front, from which The
opposing line had reireated. when he saw
directly in his path the apparently dead
body of Union officer lie checked his
horse and then observed, from the mo-
ton of the eyes and lips. that the officer
was still living. He at once dismounted,
and, seeing that The head of the wounded
foeman was lying in a depression in the
ground, placed under it knapsack.-
While raising him at the shoulders for
that purpose he saw that the blood was
trickling from bullet hole in the back,
and then he knew that the officer had been
shot through the breast. He then gave
him drink from a flask Of brandy and
water, aud as he revived said, bending
over him:
II am very sorry to see you in this con-
dition. am Gen. Gordon. Please tell
me who you are. wish to aid you all l
can p
The answer came in feeble tones :
"Thauk you. General. | am Brig. Gen.
Barlow, of New York. You can do
nothing more for me, am DYING" Then
after a pause, he said. "Yes you can ;
my wife is at the headquarters of Gen.
Meade. If you survive the battle, please
let her know that | died doing my duty
Gen. Gordon replied. "Your message,
if live, shall surely be given to your
wife. Can | do nothing more for you 2
After brief pause Gen. Barlow re-
sponded '"May God bless you. Only
one thing more. Feel in my breast pock-
ct of my coat,-the left breast, and take
out pack 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
aud read it to me. They are 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
ewes. read he letter. IL was the missive
. of noble woman to her worthy husband
whom she knew TO be in daily peril Of
e bis life, and with pious iervor breaihed q
prayer for bis safety and commended hin
3 TO the csre Of the God Of battles. As the
D reading Of the letter ended, Gen. Barlou
said Thank you. Now please teal
them all up. would not have then
read by others"
Gen. Gordon tore them into fragment
and scattered them on the Geld ~sbo
down and bladed thick with sleei." Ther
pressing Gen. Barlous hand Gen. Cor
don babe him good-by and mounting hi
horse quickly joined bis company.
He hastily penned a note on the pom
y msl Of his saddle. giving Gen. Barlow
d m sssage 10 his wife. bat stated that b.
was sill living, though seriously wound
el, and informing her where be lay. Ad
o dressing the note to Mrs. Gen. Barlow. a
e Gen. Meades headquarters. he handel ]
r to one Of bis staff aud told him to plae
a white handkerchief upon his sword an'
= ride in a gaIlop toward the enemy's lin
and deliver the note to Mrs. Barlow
Is The officer promptly obeyed the order
, He was not fred upon, and on being me
By Union officer, who advanced 70
= that purpose. the note was received an
II read, with the assurance that it would b
10 delivered instantly.
70 Let US turn from Gettysburg to h
capitol in Washington, where, eleve