Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1894-06-22
GETTYSBURG REVISITED
AFTER THIRTY YEARS, BY AUGUS-
IA HEN.
written for the Stanton vINDIcAToR.

Written for the Stanton vINDIcAToR.]
On the evening of June 9TH, 1894, party as
senbled at Basic City bound for Gettysburg,
Pa, and its world famed battle fields. Or
ganized and conducted by James r. Kemper
of Fishersyille; it comprised of his friends
and neighbers-Capt. G. Benton Conner of the
So I'd Regiment Virginia Infantry, Smith
Brigade, Earley's Divisions; Frank NJ. Bell
OF the 1st Virginia Cavalry, FitZ Lees Bri-
gade; Geo. A. Gulley of the 10Th Virginia In
fantry; &. w. Finley, of the 18th Virginia
Infantry, of Garnett's Brigade. Pickett's Di
vision; Eppa Fielding, 18th Virginia Infantry,
kempel' 5 Brigade, Pickett's Division; ". NJ
Burruss, 47th Virginia Infantry, Brockenbo
rough's Brigade, Heth's Division, and
Messrs. Jno w. Paul and G. E. Long WHOSE
youth prevented them from serving in the ar
my. Mrs. Fanny Conner accompanied then
as far as Hagerstown on Her way to visit
friends in Shippensburg, Pa.
Boarding the S. Y. +. R., train they were
soon speeding down the Shenandoah Valley
with its wealth of natural resources and his
toric incidents, past the place where jackson s
E."Cross Keys unlock new paths to fame,
And Port Republics story
Wrests from his vanquished foes,
Strange tributes to his glory"
Past Front Royal, Berryville, Charles
Town and Shepheristown where they had Sc
often heard the guns ssthunder the battle
chorus
On to Sharpsburg. where Lee and Jackson.
hungry, weary and ragged boys barely ,0o(
in numbers, kept at bay, McClelland's hos
of 80, 900 for three days, and then quietly with
drew to Old Virginas Il they reached
Hagerstown, Maryland, about z. NJ, and
spent the night at the Baldwin House.
The afternoon and evening had been enliv
ened by many jest and soldiers yarn, ant
the inmitabie, but contagious wit and humol
of the representative of the gallant 47ih, wine
with his ''female ticket" and 'home-sick'
comrade kept the party in roar of laughter
for much of the time,
The next morning the rain which had be
gun during the night, was still falling, ane
detachments were sent out to beat uptht
quarters of the Sons of Jacob in search OF
Maeintoshes' overcoats, rubber shoes, and
such like, But only the thrifty Barterbro0k
farmer found any that was available. The
hour was too early. SO hoping for better re
suits before they reached Gettysburg, the resi-
of the party bravery faced the rain Gin a clost
and comfortable carr, while they steamed
away over the mountains whose picturesque
beauty. though partially obscurei by the low
hanging clouds and the rain, was still very
attractive, and reminded one of the run down
the Blue Ridge from Alton to Charlottesville
On their way over the party was joined by
e 70, 4.
Augusta S ears-a Mr.. A. w. Coiner, from
Shippensburg, Pa.,-a pleasant and genial
soul who insisted again and again that Thu
whole party should visit him at his home be
fore they returned. They arrived at Gettys
burg about A. NJ, and were soon registered
at the City Hotel where 'mine iost'-Johr
E. Hughes, did his best to make US feel a
home Though the rain was still failing ii
gentle showers. no one thought OF keeping in
doors. 50, making requisitioa for overeoat;
and oversiloes, they were soon piasei away
in two, tilree-seated top wagons. driven 10y
- Hamilton and Luther w. Minnigh, "Thf
guide and Exposition Tire latter lad be
longing, as he said, to the cellar Brigade
during the battles, has spent his life eve
since in trying to get just and accurat,
knowledge Of them by study OF Official re
ports, and going over the ground with mum
hers of officers and men of both armies. IL,
and his companion, - Hamilton. by thei
generally very accurate acquaintance will
the grounds, and their graphic description G
tbe events that occurred on them. added yer,
much to the enjoyment of the drive over th
1st days battlefield.
o,,+ on ba (,ha 1, ar churU nil ya
they were soon past the Lutheran Seminary