The National tribune., 1901-05-23

form, so gentlemanly in department, it
seemed to me, that had we met on yonder
ridge while we were smelling each others
powder he would have called the drop on
me and said, Your gun, sir, if you
please"
In addressing us he invariably prefxed
the word gentlemen" His last call was
on the morning of the third days strug-
gle. As he entered the church, his face
beaming with smiles and his manner
CHEEKY, he said, Gentlemen, good morn
ing. This day will end the fighting. Long
street will break through the center of
your line this afternoon, and we start for
" Washington in the morning" Hastily he
bade US farewell, and / regret exceedingly
to say that from that day to this it has
never been my good fortune to meet the
gallant Major.
About / p. m. the silence was broken
by two or three artillery shots, and in =
few minutes 13S rebel guns were pound
ing our line from Round Top to Cemetery
Hill. The Union guns, so in number, re,
sponded to the challenge, and for two
hours IL was the greatest duel of the kind
that the world has ever seen. The roar
was appalling; the walls of the old church
trembled, the window sashes continually
ratified. Nevertheless Comrade Osborn
betook himself to the church cupola,
witnessed the entire show, also the charge
of Pickett's Division and its repulse. 1t
goes without saying that the excitement
in the church was intense. Give 'em
=" family cried a dying reb. Feed
it to them" roared Battery L man, and
hardened old sinner shouted, Look
hyar, Yanks, you'uns had better say your
prayers; II we'uns drap shell in this
'er meetin house you'uns won't know
nuthin'." A yell, cheer, and honors were
even, while i thought Of my comrades on
yonder hill, and the words of the rebel
Major.
That evening Mrs. Zegler, who lived
in the small brick house adjoining the
Sunday school entrance to the church,
gave two or three comrades and myself
the use of the front room ON the ground
floor; and let me say right here that at
the dedication of our regimental monu,
ment, % years later, after attending SER
vices in the church with Chaplain Roe,
Mrs. Hanna and daughter, / had q pleas
ant reunion with the dear old lady.
After the failure of Pickett's charge a
| silence as oppressive as the bombardment
had been exciting settled over the blood
| stained hills and meadows of Gettysburg,
the air hot and sickening with odor pc
| culiar to a battlefield.
/ was seated with my head resting on
the sill Of the opened window, when sud
denly Il body of rebels went marching by,
mounted men, artillery and infantry, To-
| ward the Chambersburg road. There
seemed TO be considerable haste and con-
fusion, and with oil sullen silence. 1t
was Rodes's Division, that on the morn,
| ing Of the 1st advanced toward our line
so proudly, with the swing of tried vet
Grams, with guns at right-shoulder-shi
and battle-fags waving, but now in full
J retreat to Seminary Ridge, excepting a
strong picket line, where they remained
until the night of the 4th. About mid
night all was again quiet. Thinking of
the joyful surprise for our boys in the
morning, and wearied with the long watch
was asleep before my body touched the
| floor.
Like the morning of the 1st, it seemed
that had been asleep but minute when
was awakened, not by touch. but the
sharp crack of a rife, followed in quick
succession by several others. II was
scarcely daybreak.
For few moments my senses were
] dazed. Had l been dreaming? Vague
visions of mounted men, artillery and in
fantry, with battlefiags dropping, sullenly
marching by. All! the words of the rebe
Major, Gentlemen, this day will end the
fighting" Listen, a piercing yell from q
boy in gray; victorious hurrah from 9
boy In blue. 1t was the ending of the
"high-water mark battle for the Union
the dawn Of a jubilee.