Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1894-08-23

4 see POSSIBILITIES lof clcNdtbie; CuhS"i
ing and improving the masses. whicl
! possibly are far less perceptible u
those OF you who are al near range
If one would enjoy the beauties o
lights and shadows on the hills anC
valleys and green forests and sea, III
must not be hidden under the CRATE
full shade of the spreading elm in tn
valley, but he must be on the noun
tain-top, with only the ky and cloud
above his head.
To do the greatest good to tn
greatest number, one must occupy Z
position commanding the wides
range Of view in order 10 comprehend
the dangers which threaten al differ
ent points. | remember well an Incl.
dent at the battle Of Fredericksburg
My regiment was in the first corps,
commanded by General Reynolds, in
Franklin's division, the left grand
division. Our Vermont brigade was
in the sixth corps, located mile fur
ther up towards Fredericksburg.
was exceedingly nervous and should
have been very willing 10 have given
suggestions to General Reynolds and
TO General Doubleday, who command
ed my brigade. But my duty was to
await orders and perform duties with
the boys in my own regiment. Mean
time, while we were all waiting in
the line Of battle, al the extreme left
wing OF Burnside'S army. we could see
half mile 10 our left, and on the eX-
IRENE right Of General Lees army, Il
cump of trees, which concealed a
masked battery of Whitworth guns
From this battery poured forth in
rapid succession a deadly volley Of
solid shot. enlilading the whole length
of our line This continued for an
hour. We wondered how this bat
terry could possibly be allowed 10 re-
main doing such fearful havoc, and
all were anxious 10 be ordered down
10 capture il. | remember MANY Of
as had blamed General Franklin for
not bringing over all his artillery: for
in plain sight Of the whole left grand
division. back Of rs. and on the north
HAAAf VI AAAN ia 4tAiAttAAAl1Ah Atlttt n ar
a battery left behind, apparently idle
and useless. Presently. | noticed
among the horses and
men OF this hitherto idle battery. and
in less time than ! can tell the story.
the horses had galloprd down the
north bank 10 a spot exactly opposite
this masked battery Of General Lee.
and the cannon were wheeled into
line. This was the most beautiful
and rapid military maneuver that
had ever seen or could imagine. Then
this battery beiched forth with light
ming rapidity, shot and shell. which
quickly >ilenced General Lees bat
terry which had 50 danagingy swept
our line. The order FOR this move
did not start from any lieutenant or
colonel in the line Of battle where we
were when the death-roll had been
greatest, but from the general who
the whole field and who had
The interest OF the whole army al
stake incidentally. ! would like TO
state that twenty wears later. when
went down to visit the scene OF this
terrible battle, J met al the Frpdcr-
icksburg hotel, a party of Confeder-
ate officers who were en- route 10 at
end the dedication Of General Jack
sons monument at Charlottesville. |
10 conversation with one Of them. |
ound that he had as kyivid a recol-
eotion as ! of this incident which |
have described, rs he was the cap
ain of the very battery which We
rad silenced. He told me that in five |
minutes after our cannon were in po-
ition on the north bank OF the river,
very one of his horses Were
,illed, every cannon disabled. and |
hat he and one officer who took
heller behind large oak. were all
hat We're left to tell the tale.
My point in telling this story is TO
how that the boys in the front and
leat Of the battle have TO remain and
Ight where they are stationed: only
he general knows the condition Of
he whole army. God reigns and, in
country like orr own. the masked
artery ui anarchy and Ignorance.
and superstition must
e silenced by orders from leaders
tho are standing on the vantage
round of experience and high mo- ,
yes, and from those who look To the ,
lture good of our whole country.
uch men as Edmmds. Morrill,. ,
helps, Evarts, Chittenden and Pow .
:, irrespective of party, have shown I
lat they have these qualities Of ex- {
nsive vision and broad statesman 7
Zip. We boys in New York and i
hicago do not claim to be compeers c
these grand men of our native ,
ate. But we read the papers and
G know what threatens tine prosperi- e
of Vermont and many Of the older :
ates, rs well as all the new ones. i
nd It Is for Us to fight the enemy in I
ont of rs wherever we are, To carry a
II Gods orders-which sometimes +
N come even from Democrati, /.