Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1898-03-03
! MEMORY OF GETTYSBURG.
Recalled by Meeting Between General

Recalled by Meeting Between General
Gordon and General Barlow.
A most pathetic as we'll as one
of the most heroic incidents Of the
war of the rebellion occurred on the
first day of the battle of Gettys-
burg said Judge Thomas j. Mack
ey of South Carolina.
Lee never intended to give bat
tie at that point, where the Federals
held vantage ground, but was drawn
into the battle by a question of
shoes. This last point may seem
strange, but it is nevertheless true.
Pettigrew's North Carolina division
was barefooted 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 engaged
holly. Each side REINFORCED heav-
lily, and the battle ended with de
cided advantage on the part of the
Confederates, who held the field.
"As General John B. Gordon's
brigade was advancing during the
heat of battle he saw federal gen
eral lying wounded and apparently
dying fright in the path. He dis
mounted and, raising the head of
the wounded officer, which lay in
hollow, placed a knapsack beneath
it. He then gave him some water
and whisky to revive him, at the
same time expressing deep SYM
pathy with him. He inquired who
he was and was answered:
am General Francis Barlow
Of New York.
What can ! do for you, gen
eral2' asked General Gordon. Have
you any last wish to intrust to mes'
/" Please take package of letters
from the breast pocket of my coat
said Barlow in 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 shall hear.
'While the shot and shell were
blowing up the ground General
Gordon read aloud the letter of a
noble, patriotic woman to her dying
husband. When he had finished
reading it, General Barlow request
ed 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 flag
of truce by messenger to General
Meade at his headquarters. The
messenger was informed where Mrs.
Barlow might be found. On re-
oeiving General Gordon's note she
fastened to her husband on the field
of battle under fire. She found him,
and under her careful nursing he
recovered his health and strength.
General Gordon and the brave
officer. whom he succored on the
field of Gettysburg met again about
Is years after the date of the Incl
dent / have related. Gordon was
then United States senator from
Georgia, and Barlow was attorney
general of the state of New York.
At a dinner given by Mr.. Potter, a
representative in congress from
New York, gentleman was intro
duced to Gordon as General Barlow
of New York city.
"Gordon STAINED him closely and
observed:
|" 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 related, was the prompt re-
ply. y am the General Barlow who
was killed at Gettysburg, and / rec
ognize in you the General Gordon
whose soldiers killed me-
Upon that announcement they
gave each other such cordial proofs
| of mutual esteem as served to illus
trate 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 utter
ance 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 an
other. Washington Star.
Arithmetic as Stolen Sweet.
To certain very select west side
kindergarten two children of. a
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