Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-27
PATHETIC INCIDENTS
Recalled by Men Who Fought
at Gettysburg.
ONE SLEPT IN A BARN
AWoKE TO FIND HIS STRANGER
COMRADES DEAD.
Soldier Who Carried His Fiddle Played
to Fellow Sufferers in Inn
provised Hospital.
ONE SLEPT IN A BARN


city several old fellows, as usual, had
much to say of the civil war, particularly
concerning events and circumstances 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 1t 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 Gettys-
burg 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 experiences that befell him
after he became hors de combat He was
residing in Green Mountain state when
the bugles first called men to arms to
save the Union, and, though he had not
then advanced to mans estate, he enlist
ed promptly in Vermont regiment and
from first to last had his full share of
fighting. His story. embellished with many
points OF humor, had yet conSldera Die
pathos with it, and is given, as nearly as
the writer can recoilect in his own vernac-
ular.
Thought It Was a Hornet. -.
'I 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 talking
about the caloric in the atmosphere now,
not about the heat of the fight Men on
both sides know all about that. About 4
o'clock in the afternoon was kneeling
on one knee, all ready to take another shot,
when all of a sudden 1 thought hornet
stung me. Well, it was a hornet: but it
was made Of lead and came out Of con-
federate rife I soon found that out and
ranOrted the in double quick order.
1 had been on the fighting line nearly the
entire day and was perfectly tagged out.
well. as 1 could show blood, was pass
ed on, and swear that then l felt as II l
were on a vacation. l wanted drink OF
good cool water for that remaining I'm my
canteen was as hot as if it had been boiled;
so went on looking for river. or brook,
or spring, or any place where l coulo
quench my thirst Soon I found one In
sort Of little grove. 1t was just bubbling,
and gurgling. and sparkling. and thought
it was one Of the prettiest 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 all. l
never had such a refreshing draught In all
my born days. 1t put new life in me, and
/ remember to this day that l sat down for
long time and wondered, among other
things, If there wasn't good trout fishing
in the stream. Then. after the long rest,
1 resumed my journey. knew was bound
to pull up somewhere, and 1 didn't care
much where.
How He Lost His Arm.
IT hadn't gone far when 1 met two off,
GERS. 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 wound
ed 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 off then and there They assured
me of their regret that they had nothing
in the nature of anaesthetics. I kicked,
metaphorically and physically. I wanted
to go to hospital, but they said nay, and
the result is here" and he held up what re-
NAMED 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
I ever had in my ltfe-that made me moro
comfortable.
"And now comes the third scene in this
eventful tragedy"
Here the veteran waxed pathetic and
grew poetic.
the surgeons met me, and I enjoyed their
company for about half an hour, when l
went my way and they continued on their
Journey. About 8 o'clock, over a little
range of hills. saw the big, round, yellow
moon flooding the country with light. The
evening was growing cooler, and was
ready for all the repose I could get I saw
by the moonlight barn or outbuilding of
some kind, and I made for It. When l
booked in the door I saw it was already
occupied, but there was room for one more.
The temporary tenants were scattered
around in all directions, some sitting up
against the wall and others supine on their
backs on the floor. They were all soldiers.
and I noticed, particularly one who was
sitting down with his musket between his
knees. He was leaning against some boards.
Nobody said anything to me. so entered
without the slightest ceremony and was
asleep before the second hand Of clock
could traverse the tenth part of Its circle.
The sun was high in the heavens when l
awoke, and noticed that my roommates
were still asleep. The man with the rifle
between his knees was in the same atti-
tude and so were all the others. Yes they
were all in a slumber from which they will
never awake until trumpet louder than
any yet sounded on earth shau call them
back to life again"
Carried His Fiddle With Him.
Another member of the little company re-
lated an incident which came under his
personal observation at or near Gettysburg
during that three days fight. He told of
soldier I'M a company that went In early in
the engagement and came out after its
share of lighting only for the reason that
nearly every man in it was either killed or
wounded. The soldier referred to played on
the fiddle, the veteran said. He was In love
with his fiddle and general thing,
when he wasn't lighting he was fiddling. The
spirit of war and the soul of music both
were vital essences of his being. His story,
however, which was inspired by the events
related by the comrade of the empty sleeve,
was to the effect that on the morning OF the
third day of the battle he, wandering by
barn attached to hostelry known as THE
Tavern of the Three Stars heard sounds
coming from 1t and looking in found it to
be sort of hastily improvised hospital.
There were at least score of soldiers
laid out in cots on the floors, all more
or less wounded. Several of them were
past all surgery To his amazement he
saw the musician, who had suffered the loss
of leg. He was, OF course, lying on his
| back. but the stump Of his limb was prop
| ped up. He had pleased expression on his
| countenance, his well-beloved fiddle under
his chin and was filling the room with
music.
1.-THE most beautiful and pathetic part of
| the picture was the calm, sweet and smiling
expression of the poor fellows who were be-
| Ing RECALLED with its melodies.
1T seemed said the speaker, tas IL
| Qualification from heaven rested upon the
place and its celestial glory shone in the
countenance of every poor sufferer within
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