Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1894-01-08
XIII.

Colonel Dunbar and Captain George
Newton returned to their duties after
this short furlough, leaving the friends
at the farm greatly cheered and comfort
ed by their brief reunion.
The winter passed with little apparent
progress in our military labor, but with
the mild spring weather and settled roads
every week brought some startling &C
count which increased the fears for the
loved ones, with hope or dependency for
our country, as the news lowered between
victory and defeat. Twill not attempt to
follow their exciting fluctuations. which
for SO long time kept the public mind
IN constant agitation.
For more than three years all at the
Newton farm followed their brave sons
with anxious thoughts and hourly pray
ers. Often when the battle ragged the
fiercest, while thousands fell around
them, had these so fondly loved, sur
passed by none in courage and noble
daring, like the favored three passed
through the fiery furnace with scarce
the smell of fire on their garments. :"
But when our treasures have been thus
long pursued as one after another falls
around how natural for the trembling
heart to feel my son may be the next"
not because they have less faith in Gods
protecting power or mistrust the Fathers
watchful eye. but having fully offered
this sacrifice to our country's cause we
know at any hour we may be called up
ON to redeem the pledge!
So it was at Mr.. Newton's. Every day
they recalled with wonder and gratitude
their children's many escapes and asked
IF they were now prepared to accept their
portion of the SOrrOwS which war was
bringing upon SO many of their friends
around them. That is a hard question
Who can answer it affirmatively? Even
sWhen the object OF our care is wasting
with illness before our eyes there is a
laope that never leaves the heart till the
hand lies cold in our grasp and the love
Light of the eye is quenched in death.
Mrs. Dunbar was becoming restless
and almost impatient at her husbands
long absence and would most joyfully
have gone to him, but d little boy of 3
months nestled in her bosom, and with
pretty smiles and cunning ways bound
Der fast at home.
Meanwhile Colonel Dunbar was rap
lilly rising in the estimation OF the lead
Eng military men, and no regiment won
higher praise for bravery and effective
daring. Their love for their commander
bore them unfinchingly wherever he
dared to lead, and when diminished by
many a hard fought battle there was
little difficulty in filing up the ranks
under Colonel Dunbar. Many of his
officers had fallen or become incapaci-
tated for service, and by their fall George
had become lieutenant colonel and Ralph
the captain of his old company Dunbar
had been offered a generals command,
but declined, saying that he had entered
the army not as a profession, but simply
70 serve his country during the present
emergency. His only wish was to re-
main with his present regiment, some of
whom had been with him from the first,
and he would guarantee that those must
be brave men who would follow where
that band led the way.
We pass now to that eventful day that
ended the battle of Gettysburg. The
first day had been fearfully disastrous,
and gloomy forebodings were prevalent
IN many parts of the army. Dunbar and
his men were placed in q position of i'm
Fninent danger. The havoc of the previ-
Gus day had been terrible, and the NOR
rows sun saw the enemy drawn up in
great force before them ready to bear
down on that special pivot. To break
through that force and carry that posi-
ton appeared the only way to victory
But against wha tremendous odds!
Dunbar rode among his men, saying
briefly: 81 have every confidence in the
1assS Of 1,ic Gil
too many such fields not to be aware
that we arc in q critical position. If we
can carry that point, victory is sure To
do that many Of US so to certain death,
but that will not daunt you, my men! 1
know you we'll With Gods help we
can and will succeed! See, Our lines
are moving! If fall, stay not-leave
me in Gods care! A moments hesita-
ton may lose US the day! Remember
what l say! Our battlecry is God and
liberty! Now follow me-"
The shout that rose to heaven as he
ended bore witness that there would be
no wavering there. Atthat moment the
enemy opened upon them, and our men
were not slow in replying. It seemed
that the very strength and spirit of lib
erty was in every blow. The slaughter
on both sides was terrific. At the point
Colonel Dunbar's regiment a
slight confusion was manifest. Waving
his sword, he cried: They falter! For
ward once more, my menr' AS the word
passed his lips cannon ball removed his
sword with the hand that held it. But
raising his left hand on high, he shouted:
Remember! Forward for God and lib
-ertVr'