The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-07-15

w. W. Goldsborough. an ex-Confeder-
ate. thus writes OF Lees fight at Gettys-
burg: Johnson's Division of Ewell's Corps
went into camp not far from Fayette-
Vile on the evening of June 80, 1863, hav-
ing diverged from the main turnpike at
Greenvillage, after marching from the
vicinity of Carlisle.
Since crossing the Potomac the army
under General Lee had done a great deal
Of marching, much of which could have
been avoided had the Confederate com
mander been kept advised Of the move
ments of his adversary.
1t was well known to the officers ana
men of Johnson's Division that the ROAD
they were now travelling led to Gettys-
burg, but why we moved in that oirec-
ton was a mystery that none could pene-
trate. unless it was to despoil the mer-
chants Of that place Of their stock OF
shoes. of which we we're sadly in need
Surely there could ne no enemy there.
The air was full of rumors. but the
one most credited was that the army was
to concentrate in the vicinity of Gettys-
burg and from there march by two or
three .converging roads that led to Balti-
more. and from there TO the Federal
CAPITAL. leaving Hooker houndering
around IN Pennsylvania in a vain search
for US.
All this seemed plausible enough, and
was readily accepted, probably because
il was father to the wish, and when on
the morning Of July l the division broke
camp TO resume its march the men were
in great good spirits, Notwithstanding
almost one-thrd of them were barefoot
There seemed to be no occasion TO
hurry our movements that morning ana
Il was therefore well on TO O'Clock
before the march was begun. Had the
division started three hours earlier what
a vast difference 1t might have made IN
the result of that days battle? But who
dreamed that such a thing was to occur?
1t. was a fearfully hot day and the
troops marched Ieisurely. Some miles be-
yond Fayetteville Longstreet's Corps
was unexpectedly encountered, -encamped
in the woods that lay on both sides Of
the road. We were surprised to note
that the artillery horses were unhar-
messed and that no evidences were mani
fest anywhere Of an intended early
move Indeed, General LOngstreet rode
beside General Johnson for some dis
tance. and then turned back to his COM
mand.
Hour after hour the march continued,
when at last we neared the summit Of
South Mountain The road was much
congested, owing TO the long train of
wagons moving in the same direction,
and our progress had, consequently, been
greatly retarded.
For some time before the mountain s
summit was reached / fancied heard
faint sounds in the distance resembling
the discharge Of artillery, and 1 called
the attention of Major George Kyle, the
brigade quartermaster, to it. He had
also noticed it, but the thought of an
engagement going on in the direction
of Gettysburg never occurred to either
of us. as there could not by any means
be an enemy there.
But as we advanced up the mountain
the sounds became more and more Dis
tinct. Until at last we became convinced
that something unusual and unexpected
was happening a few miles ahead What
could II be? Our suspense was not Of
long duration. for presently a horsenar
was seen away in the distance coming
like the wind nor did he slacken his
speed until he had reached the head OF
johnson. and a moment later aids were
flying up and down the line with orders
and then came the command: CLOSE up
men; close up" and every man in th'
division knew what that meant and wha
was expected Of him.
The weary and footsore forgot theil
sufferings in an instant as they quick
ened their pace and moved along VIII
an elasticity of step that seemed IN
credible. and time and again they brok
into a double-quick. A great battle wa
being fought and their assistance wa
sorely needed. They were yet many mile
from the scene of carnage and to arriV
there in time to participate in the BATH
was their only thought, although ii mean
death and wounds to hundreds of them
Such is the feeling which aAimates tn