The National tribune., 1906-09-06
PONIEROY'S RIDE.
A Gallant Exploit by n PennsylvanIa Be

A Gallant Exploit by n Pennsylvania Boy.
In his graduation grafton r.. c. Apple
by, the son of Comrade T. A. Appleby,
OF Mount Union. Pa, took for his theme
the gallant exploit of Stephen w. Pom
eroy at the time of Lees invasion OF
Pennsylvania. This was an excellent
choice for a subject. since 1t Is the best
policy to keep the patriotic deeds Of our
brave men for emulation by the young,
Mr.. Appleby. after speaking Of the cele-
brated rides from Paul Revere down.
spoke OF Lees invasion of Pennsylvania.
and said:
Hooker was superseded by Meade,
who marched his army northward on a
line east of the Blue Ridge and covering
both Washington and Baltimore, thus
separating his corps by long distances.
Lee. learning OF this, decided to march
rapidly eastward from Chambersburg
and strike Meade's army. corps by corps.
before II could concentrate for battle.
This he came dangerously neay doing,
as on July I he struck the 1irst and
Eleventh Corps Of Meade's army at Get
tysburg. and, after the bravest and
bloodiest contest this continent ever
saw, drove our men off the field. Next
day the battle ragged with frightful fury
and small advantage to either side, but
with dreadful loss to both. On the
on the field. and the battle was fought
to a finish. At the close Of the battle
5000 men were dead upon the field and
80, 900 were wounded.
Lee was defeated. The high-water
mark of the Confederacy was reached
Thence after the rebellion was hopeless,
the Union was saved. The old Flag
though baptized In the best blood Of the
land. had not lost single star. Bat
the greatest results turn on actions un-
seen. When Lees battalions came
marching down from Carlisle and the
valley through Chambersburg and filed
rapidly out the Gettysburg pike II con-
vinced Judge Kimmell that a collision
between the two armies would occur
quickly, and that II was exceedingly I'M
portant that Meade should know OF the
movement at once. He prepared a dis
patch telling of Lees plans, and asked
for a volunteer to carry 1t through the
rebel lines to the line Of tho Pennsy.-
vania Railroad, on the Juniata. A boy
from Roxbury, just discharged from mis-
regiment, came forward and offered to
try. The Importance OF Its getting TO
Meade was explained, and he started.
Young and fleet. he ran the rebel picket
lines. and, skirting the mountains,
reached home after a trip of II miles
on foot. Meeting q neighbor on horse
back. he secured his horse and rode on
a rapid gallop to Bealtown, In Juniata
County, where. getting a fresh horse. he
galloped away in the night 10 Acede-
mia. where he again left his exhausted
horse, and. securing another. rode at a
great speed to Port Royal. where his
dispatch was at once sent to Gov. Cur
tin, at Harrisburg. and by him to the
War Department, which in turn sent It
to Meade; so that when the sun rose on
July / Meade knew that the battle
would begin that day. and ordered the
concentration of all his troops at Gettys-
burg. The great surprise which Lee had
planned was defeated.
when this Pennsylvania boy was
riding over hill and dale in the .iaris-
ness and night, save by the light his
galloping steed struck out of the rocks:
when the farmers saw the figure pass
like a swift clouds shadow; wh.n The
sleepers were awakened only to hear the
fast receding hoof-beats, they IItr,t
thought of the great results to come
from this strange riders haste.
You have heard of the rides Of Pau
Revere, of Paul Venarez. of Jennie Ne
Neal. OF Sheridan. and of the rider af
the Conemaugh, but above all these l.
the man who rode with the United
States of America as a prize.
when you think OF an indtssolvabls
Union, Of indestructibfe States; when
your bosom swelis as you remember