Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-04-27

"a most pathetic as well as one of
the most heroic incidents of the war of
the rebellion occurred on the first day
Of the battle of Gettysburg" said Judge
Thomas j. Mackey of South Carolina
few evenings ago.
"Lee never intended to give battle
at that point, where the Federals held
vantage ground, but was drawn into
the battle by question of shoes. This
last point may seem strange, but it is,
nevertheless, true. Pettigrew's North
Carolina division was bare-footed, and
got permission to go into the town of
Gettysburg to get a supply of shoes
from the stores. The soldiers there
met a Federal force and became en-
gagged hotly. Each side REINFORCED
heavily, and the battle ended with a
decided advantage on the part of the
COnfederates, who held the field.
las General John B. Gordon's bri-
gade was advancing, during the heat
of battle, he saw Federal general ly-
Ing wounded and apparently dying
right in the path. He dismounted, and,
AaAoihss bhC hNdN VI lut w Ouuupu
Ger, which lay in a hollow, placed a
knapsack beneath it. He then gave
him some water and whisky to revive
him. He inquired who he was, and
was answered:
81 am General Francis Barlow of
New York.
"'What can l do for you general?
asked General Gordon. Have you any
last wish to intrust to me?
Please take package of letters
from the breast pocket of my coat
said Barlow, in a weakened voice.
General Gordon did so.
Now said Barlow, 4 beg of you to
read one to me, for they are from my
wife, and l wish her words to be the
last l shall hear
While the shot and shell were plow-
ing up the ground General Gordon read
aloud the letter of noble, patriotic
woman to her dying husband. When
he had finished reading it General Bar
low requested him to tear up all the
letters, as he did not wish them to be
profaned by the eyes of strangers.
General Gordon babe him good-by
and hurried forward to overtake his
command. He then sent q flag of truce
by messenger to General Meade at his
headquarters. The messenger was in
formed where Mrs. Barlow might be
found. On receiving General Gordon's
note she fastened to her husbands side
on the field of battle under fire. She
found him, and under careful nursing,
he recovered health and strength.
General Gordon and the brave Off
Ger whom he succored on the field of
Gettysburg met again about fifteen
years after the date of the incident /
have related. Gordan was then a Uni
ted States Senator from Georgia and
Barlow was Attorney General of the
State of New York. At dinner given
by Mr. Potter, Representative in Con-
gress from New York, a gentleman was
introduced to Gordon as General Bar
low of New York City.
Gordon scanned him closely and OBJ
served:
"'Was General Barlow, the brave
soldier of the Union army, who was
killed at Gettysburg, related to you,
sir?
Though not with literal fidelity to
historic truth, yes, sir, very closely re-
lated was the prompt reply. I I'm
the General Barlow who was killed at
Gettysburg, and l recognize in you the
General Gordon whose soldiers killed
me-
Upon that announcement they gave
each other such cordial pro'fs of mu-
tual esteem as served to illustrate that
no hands clasp so warmly, at least
among Americans, as those that have
sheathed the sword, after having
drawn it In battle.
This incident serves TO emblazon the
truth of General Lamar's utterance in
his speech upon the death of Senator
Charles Sumner, delivered in the House
of Representatives, when he said:
Americans, know one another and you
will love one another Washington
Star.