The National tribune., 1901-05-23

history generally fail TO hnd
A battle between opposing forces such
as contended for the mastery at Gettys-
burg is hell on earth, and the writer will
now describe, in part, what he saw and
heard on that memorable occasion.
On June 80, 1868, as the shadows of
evening were fast hiding from view the
mountains westward of the EmmtsburS
Pike. the boys of the 9Th \. y. ;. NJ.
(S3d n. " were marching, "footsore ana
weary" toward a town IN the us
tance known as Gettysburg. 1t was NOT,
however until long after darkhcss mao
east its shadowy mantle over them tha'
the order was given, ''Halt-stack arms,
make yourselves comfortable III the al
Joining field" The writer selected SOFT
spot in the thick grass, fragrant with
sweet clover, and was soon enjoying tired
natures sweet restorer, balmy sleep. 1t
seemed but a minute had passed when he
felt some one touching him, and heard
faithful Serg't Burtis, always on the alert
it was lust Notwithstanding the boys
for an early start.
1t was not until the hurried prepara-
tions had ceased, and we were well on the
march, that we noticed the condition OF
the weather: a Scotch mist obscured what
a few hours later proved to be hot July
sun. With our clothing and blankets wet
with dew, our march, an early one,
as we journeyed over the slippery pike,
was toilsome About s a. m. i'll north
west direction from the column came the
ominous booming of cannon. we knew
that Buford was up-country somewhere,
and the same was intended as timely
warning TO Reynolds, that the rebels were
converging thereabouts, and in short
space of time we would be called upon TO
contend with them in mortal strife FOR
the Union. About IL a. N. the sound OF
the cannonade was quite pronounced, I0i-
lowed by q terrific crash of muSketry- we
were near the Codori House, when the
rapidly-increasing roar of battle IN
clump of timber about one mile directly
west warned us that Wadsworth 5 anu
Doubleday's Divisions had met the en-
emy, and TO prepare ourselves for busy
day.
NEWS OF REYNOLDS DEATH.
II was about this time that our bri-
fade (Baxter's) of Robinson's Division,
broke TO the left from the Emmltsburs
road, and just as our company % was
passing over the broken-down rail fence
and the low stone wall, mounted Or-
derly gave US the sad news of Reynolds
death, it having occurred few minutes
prior 10 our arrival in that clump of tim
ber known as McPherson's Woods. And
what picture was presented; darkly OUT
lined on the ridge, against what was at
that hour a clear, blue sky, the hot sun
wing with the heat from the red mouthed
cannon, and beautifying the puts OF
smoke from the bursting shells.
Proceeding in a northweSterly dlrec-
ton, passing the Lutheran Seminary, then
used as a hospital, we crossed the Cham
bersburg Pike and in a short while
reached the Mummasburg road. On the
left flank our comrades, as stated before,
were fighting fercely with HIS Corps,
while on our right and immediate front
nothing was in sight but meadowland and
q ridge beyond. Is that shrill sound Ger
head bird angry at being disturbed from
its peaceful rest? Oh, no! To us it is
the birds over the green fields of Gettys-
burg It's the whistle of a Whitworth
bolt and the boys exchange glances. A
keen-eyed rebel artiIleryman had noted
our coming and sent his iron messenger
Of welcome (D
There is a suddenness of life about us;
mounted Aids dashing hither and thither;
the pace is quicker, faces are paler, the
grip on the rife stronger, until the tension
OF the muscle is painful. We reach the
base of the ridge; it is dotted with bOwld-
erT, and In places with slight underground
of scrub-oak a hurried order from Bax-
ter, with the ring of true metal, he
ridge, meni Forward! Quick Double
quickr' and it seemed that with a single
bound we reached its crest. What
wondrous picture that stretch of landscape
as 1t appeared to US beneath the hot noon
day sun! Happy valley Of golden har-
vest fields, of stately woods, of teeming
orchards, of glistening waters, and of
cheerful homes" with a westerly frame Of
mountains,
'Bathed in the tenderest purple Of dis
tance,
Tinted and shadowed by pencils of air"
As all roads led to Rome, so in this in
stance all roads led to Gettysburg, that
in after years was to be the Mecca of the
blue and gray. Yonder on the Mummas-
burg and Carlisle Pixies rebel artillery are
breaking TO the right and left with mill
tary precision while through the interven-
ing fields OF golden grain and meadows of
emerald green Ewells Corps is proudly
advancing IN close column by brigades,
by divisions, guns at right-shoulder-shift
and battle flags waving. coming with the
swing and tread of tried veterans.
A commotion In the battery on yonder
hill-hashes of fire and clouds of smoke.
A roar. STEADY, men, steady" and al
most directly above us we hear the vicious
snap of the shells. Close shave; just a
feeler for range, we know!
From the Cashtown road northward to
Carlisle Pike the ridge trembles with the
laundering roar of the guns. Battery b,
eth Regulars, to our left, is belching forth
shot and shell, grape and canister, to the
urgent and now historical words of Stew
art, its Captain: Feed it to them, boys;
feed II to Them
BAXTER's CHARGE.
Baxter, leading his command in the
fierce struggle, emulating his heroic action
al Fredericksburg, where he won his silver
star, how clear and strong in the battle
strife are his words OF admonition and
courage, Keep cool, men, and fire low
The pent-up horrors Of war have broken
loose. The men are no longer human
they are demons; curse from the living
here, moan from the dying there. GIVE
roars another.
That indomitable line of gray advanc
ing through the harvest fields is nearer
That unfinching strip of blue on yondel
ridge Is thinner! A defiant yell from the
grsyi A loud hurrah from the Blue
Electric sparks as the bayonets fash anC
crash, hurried repeating of orders, For
wardr' and down the hill we go. A
sturdy-built eomrade touches my shoulde
as he rlshes ahead with q shout. "Follov
me, boys; follow me-" A thud. squirt o
blood from his breast, and Patrick Burns
OF Co. H, laid down his life in honor
One of those Wbitworth bolts strike
the writer on the head-that is to say,
SO impressed him, but 1t was only little
fnsignificant bullet infictinp seyer