Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1903-08-01
FIGHT OF FIRST DAY.
OPENING OF THE GREAT BATTLE
AT GETTYSBURG.
Participant Draws Vivid Pen PIC
ture of the Mighty Conflict, the Ont
come of Which Sealed the Doom of
the Confederacy.

ANANS SSiAS SOuS-AS tODiueAnOfdtel
annually III the recollections OF the sur
Fivors of the first days fight ut Gettys-
burg. That days work was distinct
in itself, and had little to do with the
engagements of the two succeeding
days, which completed the great battle
except that it provided the advant-
ageous position which enabled the
Army of the Potomac to defeat
splendid army at least as large and
as we'll equipped as itself.
The day is of interest TO more than
the survivors. To students of military
affairs it viii be memorable as one of
the very rare occasions in history
wherein the enthusiasm and inspira-
ton of the individual soldier figured
rs the most important factor toward
ple result. Under the new methods
Of warfare. with weapons of telescope
range. whereby combatants can no
longer come into close conflict. such a
condition is never likely to again oc-
cur.
That days battle was fought ON the
union side almost wholly by the First
Corps. While the observations follow
inc are from the standpoint OF a mem
Der of the old Twenty-fourth Mirhi-
gan infantry, they apply also 10 the
action of the Iron Brigade and to some
extent To that of the corps They
are intended only to Indicate some
thing of the spirit of men in action
when wholly and completely and in
dividually and collectively wrought up
TO the proper fighting humor. and may
apply with equal force on some occa-
sons TO other bodies of men on other
fields.
The conditions were favorable when
the corps broke camp that cloudy
morning. about two miles south Of the
Pennsylvania line and continued it's
march northward I'm search of Lee 1t
had left the desOlated and battle-trod-
den wastes of poor old Virginia far
behind and was now traversing a
country rich in It's cultivated fields
comfortable homes and well-tlled
barns. Everything betokened thrift.
prosperity and peace. Even the cat
tie that gaZed at the column expressed
nothing but mild wonderment in their
gentle eyes The farmers. their wives
and buxom daughters welcomed us
with buckets of fresh milk apple but
ter, and the fresh output of their gen
erous Dutch ovens. and with the First
division at the head, the entire column
was RECALLED with lively airs by the
fwenty-fourth's excellent band.
Meeting Happy School Children.
Two hours marching brought a
brief rest to the head of the column
at point where n short lane separat-
ed the open country from piece Of
woods fringing the roadside for a
mile or so northward. Beyond we
could see the towers of a town nest
ling in the valley. A Whitewashed
brick school-house stood a hundred
yards down the lane ana a group Of
rosy-eheekcd children on their way
thither stood near the corner survey
ing in evident surprise probably the
largest body Of men any of them had
ever seen. It was about half past 3
O'clock
What's the name of that town
ahead" asked one Of the men.
That's Gettysburg"
whats the name of that big Hill
just across tie yalleyt"
That's Round Top"
whats the name of the next hing"
Little Round Top"
And that's tpcny-wecny Roundtop
| suppose, away beyond"
Moo; that far one is Cups"
Have you seen any rebels around
here" asked another Of the men.
"Oh. yes" answered bright little
girl. There was an awful lot Of
them, maybe 4 hundred. all on horse
back. that went to Uncle Andrews
yesterday and stole ali his horses"
The Fret Gun.
The conversation was abruptly ter.
minated by the report Of n cannon shot
in the distance About a mile ahead
we could see the projection OF a bali
of smoke in front OF the Seminary
tower, its formation into a wreath,
framed by the report Of an exploding
shell.
Fall in, Forward and rapid
march, partly on the double-quick. be.
gan, while Gen. Reynolds ana part Of
his staff galloped up the road in al.
vance. We soon came To point
where q dismounted squad of the
Eighth Illinois Cavalry was throwing
rails from a fence in order TO get out
of tight corner from foe to us IN
seen.
Capture Of Brigade.
Quick There's a whole rebel brig
ade down there in that ravine"' we
could hear cavalry officer shouting
TO our brigade.
A quick and boodlcSs capture Of
Archer's confederate brigade follow
I'd. but Reynolds WAS almost imrne-
diately killed as he sought 20 rejoin
Ms, after a brief consultation In the
Seminary tower with Gen Buford. a
4 "a taHV rtrkx 49,.