Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-06-10


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THE FIRST GUN AT GETTYSBURG
The anniversary is near at hand of
the great battle OF Gettysburg, which
began on the morning of July l, 1868,
and ended on the afternoon of the 3rd
the last act in the bloody drama being
the world renowned charge of Picketts
division. The third corps of the Con-
federate army commanded by Gener al
A. ?. Hill, crossed the Potomac river
at Sheperdstown, about the Goth of June.
Our battalion of artillery, Col. Pc.
grams, belonged to this corps, being i'm
mediately attached to the famous light
division. The ford here is deep and
the current runs strong. We, Of the
artillery, mounted on horses, limbers
and caisons crossed over with dry feet,
halted on the other side and watched
the passage of the infantry, and great
fun it was Taking of their shoes and
singing their cartridge belts around
their necks, marching by fours. and
joining hands to steady themselves
against the current in they plunged
with shouts CT laughter and yells, like a
lot of school boys in bathing. All the
infantry being over We advanced along
rhe Hagerstown pike. passed through
hat place and marched directly for TIE
Pennsylvania lire. Perhaps no great
general OF modern times was less quail
fed by nature tor carrying war into an
enemy's country than Lee. The strict.
est orders had been issued to the army,
az to keeping hands of of everything
belonging TO the inhabitants, and we
were expected to march through a
country belonging to people who bad
sent armies to deyestate Vlrginian,
somewhat as folks promenade about
parks in a city, on the watch for notices
''keep off the grass" However, acci-
d-nts will happen. The batteries
marched IN front, preceded by a small
party of infantry sharpshooters. Late
10 The afternoon we crossed the State
line.
There happened to be just over the
border, large farm house, with barn
ward full OF fat fowls. A half dozen OF
these sharpsbooters, scarcely taking
time TO hall, dropped their rifles to the
shoulder; there was loud report, the
feathers flew from six chickens, the
Tennesseeans threw themselves over
the fence, gathered mp the game, and
cody marched on. Some officers came
galloping up from the rear, demanding
10 know where the enemy were. Some
one told them "They were all dead.
We reached our permanent camp next
dav. which was along the Cashtown
pike. and near the hamlet of that
name. The people finding out contrary
to their expectation that we bad not
come 10 invade them with ire aud
sword" supplied US with good things to
eat. and we began to enjoy life. Parties
wonld be sent out to impress, or rather
hnv horses for the artillery services and,
being g anon-commissioned officer, was
frequently sent in charge of one OF
these details. 1t was thickly popu
lated country, divided into small farms
in high state of cultivation. we
wonld ride up to house and the men
seeing US approach would conceal the
horses. A curious feature about these
farms was the small dwelling houses,
and huge red barns. The interior OF
the houses showed no evidence OF any
desire for refinement and taste, as
mignt be found in even the humoiess
nome in Virginia; grown girls would De
attending to their duties about the
nIsce "barefooted." The soldiers called
them all dutch gals" for what reason
7 don't know, unless it was because tneV
we're so fat and robust. When the hors'
we're brought out, the women ara
children would set up such weeping
and wailing and appeals TO me, thst De-
ing only boy and soft-hearted., NOT
wifhstanding my own people had been
barried down in Virginia, l founu IL
an unpleasant duty. l would ieave
receipt for such horses as we took win
instructions that on presenting 1t 10 tne
chief quartermaster of the SIN ne
wonld nav for them, and no doubt ne
Aid so ia good honest Confederate
money if his short stay in Pennsylva'
MIA allowed him. 1,,r
the division under command OF den
Harry Heth broke camp about sunrise
and took up the line of march toward
Gattvsburg. Cot The advance guard con,
s;sted Of the artillery and Archer's ana
nov;s,s bripades of infantry, the artll-
lery in front. e.o,h hrooze
led over the wheat fields stretching
q wav on either side of us, ana we foue
forward not dreaming of the proximity
u Somewhere between the hours OF
"a G O'clock Col. Pegram's attention
Cos Suddenly called to line OF men
oror m~a IN hill ahead of US and to the
o;nht Of the road. From the distance
,rs could not tell whether they were
WE tv;aUS UGu1r or foe. m However, Col. Pegram
dasmed it prudent to halt his column:
c. Thos 4. Brander, then captain OF
ona 0oa of our batteries and always ready
eor fight. insisted that they were
~, .'onteas and that we fire upon them.
r. soon proved that: he was rIgnt. Il
bannened bs nU that the Fredericksburg ar
t;IIerv aHp was at the head of the column,
tilicAS We" fo,o Col Pepram the