The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1903-05-28
SHOT HIM FORTY YEARS AGO.

CllppoO AO0u 0uAO0y
seryercontributed by its Raleigh cor
respondent
Raleigh, May GA romantic scene
was witnessed here this morning when
Col. John r. Lane was introduced to
Mr.. Charles H. McC onheli, OF Chicago,
and Col. Lane grasped the hand OF the
man who shot him down upon the field
of Gettysburg 40 years ago and almost
killed him. Col. w. H. s. Burgwyn, of
Weldon, arranged this meeting between
the two SCARED veterans and introduced
them. Mr.. Mcconnell served In the
oath Michigan Regiment OF the Iron
Brigade Of the Potomac. His company
was almost annihilated at Gettysburg
and he has been much interested In tbs
great battle. A few years ago he wrote
to Col. A. M. Waddell, Of Wilmington,
to secure some information and his let
ter was referred to Col. w. H. s. Bur-
gwyn, of Weldon. This led to a CORES
pondence between Col. Burgwyn and
Mr.. Mcconnell. Later they met in
Richmond, Va, when Mr.. Mcconnell
remarked that he fired the last shot
from his company and brought down
the color bearer of the 26th North Car
olina Regiment. "Then you are the
man who shot Col. John r. Lane" de-
clared Col. Burgwyn. Arrangements
were then made tor the meeting which
took place here to-day, and Mr.. McCon-
nell said this afternoon: eyes, / have
come all the way from Chicago and
brought my wife for no other purpose
than to grasp the hand OF the gallant
man tried to kill and thought then
that succeeded" The heaviest losses
recorded on any modern battle field
were the 26th North Carolina regiment
with loss of 80 per cent, and the 24th
Michigan with 80 per cent. loss. Col.
Lane and Mr.. Mcconnell are survivors
Of these gallant regiments.
In reply to reporters question Mr..
Mcconnell gave this account of the
shooting of Col. Lane: "The battle was
nearing it's close at Gettysburg" he said
land only 8 men Of the 54th In our
company in the Oath Michigan Regi-
ment were left. Our ammunition was
exhausted, but had one cartridge left
which was to be the last shot we fred
at Gettysburg. As I loaded my rifle my
lieutenant commander said Charlie,
see that splendid color-bearer, cannot
you knock him overP and he pointed
at the colonel not as far as across this
street from me. I have my last car
trlde and I am going to try I replied
as I rested my rifle against small tree
and took careful aim at the man waiv.
ing his colors and shouting to his men.
[ fired, saw him fall and then fastened
to Join my comrades retreating through
Gettysburg to Culk's HILL"
"He is the man who shot me-" inter.
posed Col. Lone, laying his hand aztec.
tionately ON Mr.. McConnell's should.
or. at was just as the battle ended
and had turned to cheer on my hand.
tut of men and was waving our color
that the ball struck me-" Colonel Lane
raised his black locks and showed the
base of the brain where the we'll nigh
fatal ball passed. Col. Lane is the on.
iy surviving colonel of the Industrious
18th Regiment, Col. Harry K. Bur-
gwyn, brother of Col. w. III. s. Bur
| gwyn, was killed in the same battle
that came so near costing Col. Lane
his life.
This morning Col. w. H. s. Burgwyr
took Col. Lane and Mr.. Mcconnell or
drive over the city. They went Out
to Crabtree where the 26th North Caro-
lima Regiment was organized and Col
Lane saw his first service as a private
in Company E. Tho camp was Their
under Col. Burgwyn as commandant
They then went to the cemetery tt
view the monument to Col. Burgwyn
visited the Soldiers Home and spent
an hour with the old veterans, then te
State library to see the painting OF the
three colonies Of the Goth North Caro-
luna Regiment, Vance, Burgwyn and
Lane. Col. w. II. s. -Burgwyn Their
gave them dinner party at the Var.
boro. This evening Col. Lane left TO,
his home in Chatham. Tomorrow Mr.
and Mrs. Mcconnell go to Weldon to
visit Col. and Mrs. Burgwyn. Mr.. Nc.
Cornell is president of the Veterans
Association of the Iron Brigade of thu
the Army of tho Potomac at Chicago
and is a highly successful wholesale
druggist. He is six feet tall, we'll pro
portioned, with his hair and moustacht
almost white, stands perfectly erect
and appears as agile AZ a youth. III.