Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1902-07-05
WHERE A HERO FELL.
BY A. A. ARNOLD.

By A. A. ARNOLD.
Near the roadside one mile north of
Greencastle, Pa, stands a stately monu-
ment. The shaft, a granite obelsk,
reaches a height of twenty-one feet. and
rests upon a block of the same material
four and one-half feet square. 1t bears
this inscription ON the four sides of the
base:
South-Erected by Corporal Rihl Post,
G. a. r., of Greencastle, Pa. East-To
the memory of Corporal William H
Rihl, Co. c. First New York Lin-
coin Cavalry, who was killed on this
spot June %. 1863 North--The first
Union soldier killed in action in Penn
sylvania. West-An humble, but brave
defender of the Union.
This monument performs twofold
duty. 1t records an important historical
incident Of the Civil Wharf.-The fall of the
! hrSt Union soldier north of Mason and
Dizon's line; and perpetuates the mem
cry Of hero who sacrificed his life upon
| his countryS altar.
Corporal Rihl was. in the best sense of
the term, a brave soldier Friend and
foe unite III teStifying to his bravery
The courage he displayed entities him
70 high place on the roll of Americas
heroic dead
L was a Confederate. n member Of
the force that led the advance into Penn
sylyanla., and on June - 1868, wit
messed the fearless behavior Of the gal
liant corporal. With sincere regret | saw
him fall, and in that feeling all my
comrades shared.
On the morning of June % 1863,
Gen. Jenkins brigade of Virginia cavalry
moved from near Hagerstown, Md. to
take the position of advance guard to
the Confederate army now forming col
umn 10 move nOrthward. Before midday,
Han hale
castle, he passed the most advanced body
of infantry, and placed his brigade in
the front. This compelled the march
ing order Of the column. The whole
army was in motion. The invasion be-
gan. The fate of the South hung upon
the result of the movement. What
would the result be? The answer caf1e
at Gettysburg.
We were upon hostile soil. The whole
North was aroused as never before.
Thousands on thousands were gathering
to eXpel us. At any moment we might
expect to meet some portion of the Union
army. From now on every precaution
must be taken to prevent a surprise TO
that end Gen. jenkins sent forward
two companies, + and l., of the Four
teenth Virginia cavalry. under Capt.
Joseph \. Wilson, with orders to so
time their march as to maintain dis
tance of three miles in front Of the bFi-
gade. 4 strong scouting party. hanked
by a line of yidcttes, went in front of
all
our line of march was through a fer
tile and attractive section. In every dl-
rection the prospect was pleasing. There
We're pastures stretching far away in
gentle undulatonS, clothed in rich, lux
uriaut yerdue, broad acres of bright,
golden grain bending with Il ripeness
that called for the thrusnng in Of the
! sickle. long smooth meadows, beneath
burdens of new-mown hay, left spelling
in the sWath; Heat, substantial and, in
many instances elegant dwellings amid
delightful environments, but closed and
silent.
Silence reigned over the whole scene
the mhroken silence of Il holy Sabbath
day; for. from the green pastures had
been driypu H0cl, and herd, the hus-
handmau had quit the harvest and He'd
for refuge; the ufrighted people had
abandon their homes, or had barred
| themselves within, and tremblingly
! awaited orr approach,
The nay was intensely hot. Frequent
~hor. haltS wore made 10 give man and
beast a breathing spell. One of these
haltS WAS made three miles north of
! Gre"nrastia.
So far our march had been without
incident 81 note
Suddenly There came n change! From
the front there was heard an irregular
pop. pop, pop" and, in Il whirl of
dust, closely pressed by body OF Fed
era;S. our scouts burst in view. In a
twinklinr every trooper was mounted
ana in place. Both parties were upon
rs before we were discovered. The Fed
rrals wheeled and retrcoted. answering
fbe shots fired after them Every rein
was Crashed; every trooper ucryed and
leaning forward to catch the word OF
command: every horse crouchiur fot, the
Snrinr ana Inc word or command WAS
passin., The Inns of The officer. when. with
tho rumhling of \ Thunderstorm reri-
, mont of ,ayalry came teorinr from I'm