The National tribune., 1900-07-05

voIleys Of lead and iron were hurled from
foe to foe until bodies of trees Of large size
were actually cut in two by these missiles
and falling with their outspreading
branches upon the living or dead beneath
buried them, for the time, as in sepIlleher;
the faces of the rocks fronting these foes
were marred and battered by bullets until
a line of dead lay in shapeless heap be-
meath. Logs were splintered and torn, so
as no longer to afford shelter to human
beings. The earth alone was proof against
that carnival of destruction. as the seams
and rents made in its surface were filled
by the dirt and dust falling back into them,
and the sears and rents thus made soon be-
came imperceptibe.
In that valley of death as then spread
out TO view no figure was more noticeable
and none received such tributes of respect
and consideration as did the iifeless body
of Adit-Gen. Leigh, of Gen. Johnson S
staff, as stark in death he had fallen by the
side of hissiead horse close up TO our works.
We were told by prisoners that he had
rushed forward TO prevent some of his
men entering our lines, through a terrible
fire, TO deliver themselves up, as they felt
that it was safer thus to do than to remain
where they were, or to fall back with the
certainty of being ordered forward again.
Gen Leigh even in death bore in a
marked degree the characteristic of a
chiEalric, cultured soldier, and no greater
proofs of the possession of these qualities
could have been given than did his lifeiess
form. wrapped in soidierly attire, his finely
cut features being fascinating even in
death, and rendered doubly attractive and
conspicuous by reason of the advanced
position where he had fallen.
The Confederate wounded were gathered
up, and their dead prepared for burial.
The burial of the dead upon the field OF
battle has form, but no ceremony. Pits
@,I-< 10
grave, and into these the bodies of the
dead soldiers are laid TO await the final
trumpet call.
The 4th of July was passed by the Union
army in enjoying an unexpected rest, in
recalling and comparing events OF the past
with those OF the present, and in thankful
ness that they were in possession OF the
battlefield; and although the victory was
not Immediately followed up, still it was
far reaching in itS results, as permanent
halt had been called upon the invading
foe.
When the fact was known early in the
morning of July that the Confederate
army was upon full retreat. our advance
followed in direct pursuit, but Lee succeeded
in reerossing the Potomac near Falling
Waters without a general battle. The
main Army Of the Potomac rapidly followed,
and upon our return TO our former position
at Kelly's Ford. ON the Rappahanuock, we
"a
opposite shore Confederate cavalrymen
sitting on their horses, guarding the cross
ing, acting as coo!ly and uneoncerned as
If they had never been away from that
battle-narked and desoiate region, but in
that interim they had taken part in the
greatest campaign and battle Of orr times;
thus the participants Of that campaign and
battle were again facing one another across
the Rappahanneek. AS the campaign OF
| Gettysburg was ended, other campaigns
followed, but the end and the results of the
war We're assured: that end and those re-
suits are now matters OF history, and since
the war other generations have come upon
the stage Of action, and to these it can not
be other than wonder that for over four
years a most desperate war was Taged
between the North and the South, and as
the events of that history are made known
to them, may they from its pages be taught
this lesson in patriotism, that the greater
| includes the less; that this Union is greater
| than the section or the State, and that in
| the event OF further issues between the
sections that their allegiance and support
as citizens are due, first, TO the General
Government, but in local matters to their
| respective States, Counties, cities. or lesser
ldlYisions as these in their order also repre-
sent the expressed viii and are the creation
Of a majority, and under our form of Govern
ment the will of the majority must rule, or
/ mp comes anarchy. The downfall of the
Confederacy was decided by its simuiiane-
Gus defeats at Gettysburg and at Vieks-
i burg, and at lAppomattox, Gram, the
yieter at Vieksburg. received The Surrender
| of Lee, who was the Confederatee commander
at Gettysburg; then all armed opposition
| to,tiIe Union ceased: civil matters being lef,
| 10 civilians, the Union and Confederate sol
diers becoming civilians, and as citizens OF
la common country held and vet held in
! their hands not only their individual
destinies, but also that Of their Government
1 May they and their descendants be ever
! faithful and loyal to such trust; then this
! Union, as reunited, viii be transmitted
Bith its blessings and privileges unimpaired
| to remote generations.