The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1903-05-14
THE BOOMING CANNON
REcITALS OF CAMP AND eAT.
TIE INCIDENTS.

TIE INCIDENTS.
Survivors Of the Rebellion Relate
Many Amusing and Startling Incl
dents Of Marches, Camp Life, Foras-
ing Experiences and Battle Scenes.
At a recent imprOmptu campfire in
this city several old fellows. as usual.
had much to say of the civil war. par
ticulraly concerning events and cir
cumstances in which they either had
participated or were able to relate with
the soundest reasons for belief in their
truthfulness. Every man in the little
group had snuffed the odor of hostile
powder, and each had hearkened to the
rebel yell' as it came from trenches,
over fields, on mountain tops and in
the valleys.
On this special occasion incidents
more or less relating to the battle of
Gettysburg were talked about. An old
clerk in one Of the departments, who
carries with him constantly souvenir
Of that terrific struggle in the shape
Of an empty sleeve, told Of certain ex-
periences that befell him after he be-
came hors de combat He was resid-
Ing in Green Mountain State when
bugles first called men 10 arms to save
the union. and though b had not been
advanced to mans estate, he enlisted
promptly in Vermont regiment, and
from first to last had Its full share Of
lighting. His story, embellished with
many points of humor had yet con-
siderable pathos with it, and is given
as nearly as the writer can recollect,
In his own vernacular.
Il received my quietus." he said. ION
the second day Of the Gettysburg fight.
One thing recollect perfectly and that
is the day was a scorcher. I'm talk
ing about the caloric in the atmosphere
now, not about the heat Of the fight.
Men on both sides knew all about that.
About four o'clock In the afternoon I
was kneeling on one knee, all ready
to take another shot, when all of a
sudden thought a hornet stung me.
Well. 1t was hornet; but 1t was made
Of lead and came out Of a confederate
rife. soon found that out and report
ed to the rear in double quick order
had been on the fighting line nearly
the entire day, and was perfectly fag
ged out.
'Well, as I could show blood, 1 was
passed on, and swear that then felt
as If were on a vacation. wanted
drink Of good, cool water, for that
remaining In my canteen was as hot
as II 1t had been boiled; so went on
looking for a river, or brook, or
spring. or any place where could
a sort Of little grove. 1t was just bub
bling, and gurgling. and sparkling,
and thought 1t was one Of the pret-
test sights / ever saw In my life. I
just lay down on my stomach and.
with my wounded arm thrust deep into
the water, I drank my fill. never
had such refreshing draught in all
my born days. 1t put new life in me,
and remember to this day that sat
down FOR a long time and wondered,
among other things. II there wasn't
good trout fishing In the stream. Then,
after the long rest. resumed my jour-
ney. I knew 1 was bound to pull up
somewhere. and I didn't care much
where.
II hadn't gone far, when met two
officers. They had boxes under their
arms. and it was not difficult for me
to recognize them as medical officers.
They were young men. both Of them.
and after a short talk with me and an
examination of my wounded wing
they began to talk to each other about
modification and amputation, and all
that sort Of thing, at the same time in
forming me that 1t was necessary to
cut my arm of then and there. They
assured me Of their regret that they
had nothing in the nature of anaes-
thetics. kicked, metaphorically and
physically, wanted to go to a hospi-
tai, but they said nay. and the result
Is here" and he held up what remained
of the arm.
Zone of the doctors fixed me up and
made me feel very comfortable, and
the other gave me the biggest drink
of brandy ever had in my life-that
made me more comfortable.
'.And now comes the third scene in
this eyentful tragedy"
Here the veteran waxed pathetic and
grew poetic.
"It was nearing or quite sundown
when the surgeons met me, and I en-
joyed their company for about half
an hour. when I went my way and
they continued on their journey. About
eight o'clock over little range Of hills,
I saw the big, round. yellow moon
the country with light. The
evening was growing cooler, and I
was ready for all the repose I could
get. I saw by the moonlight a barn
or outbuilding Of some kind, and
made for it. When I looked In the
door l saw 1t was already occupied,
but there was room for one more. The
temporary tenants were scattered
around in all directions. some sitting
np against the wall and others supine
III their backs on the floor. They were
Ill soldiers. and noticed particularly
,ne who was sitting down with his |
musket between his knees He was
Gaming against some boards. Nobody |
;aid anything to me, so entered with
,ut the slightest ceremony and was
lsleep before the second hand of a |
lock could traverse the tenth part of |
is circle. The sun was high in the |
leavens when / awOke, and 1 noticed
hat my roommates were still asleep.
rhe man with the rifle between his
,nees was in the same attitude and so
we're all the others. Yes. they were all
;-vx