The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1908-07-23

low, but before the latter could strike
he discovered that he was in the pres
ence of EarIy's whole division. which
was moving around his right and threat
ening his rear. Barlow was naturally
a man of the greatest sailantry. and he
felt the stain of Charlottesville keenly.
His men fought with a savage deter
mination and persistence. which won
the admiration of the Co2federates. but
Barlow was shot down, his right flank
enveloped, and they were forced to re-
treat to the town
Carl Sehurs's Report.
Carl Schurz in his official report says
as follows:
Suddenly the enemy opened upon the
First Division from two batteries placed
near the Harrisburg road. completely
enfilading Gen. Barlow's line. This fire.
replied to by our batteries. produced
but little effect upon our men. Soon
afterward. however. about 8 o'clock.
before the forward movement of the
First Division could not be arrested by
my orders. the enemy appeared in our
front with heavy masses of infantry.
his line extending far beyond our right
1t was now clear that the two small di-
visions under my command. numbering
hardly over 5000 electives when going
into battle, had a whole corps of the
rebel army to contend against.
The simultaneous appearance OF the
enemys battaiions on SO long a line
led me to believe THAT they had been
lying in position for Some time behind
the woods in our front. fully prepared
for us, and that 1t was their intention.
while entangling us in fight where We
were, to throw their Left Wing around
our right, and thus to cut US of from
the town. A movement to the rear
became at once necessary, but before
any orders to that effect could be trans
mitted my whole line was engaged. and
the Second Brigade, First Division.
whose flank had been most exposed In
consequence of the advance. fell back
in considerable disorder. Unfortunately
Gen. Barlow, who had been directing
the movements of his troops with the
most praiseworthy GOODNESS and intrep-
idity. unmindful of the shower of bull
lets around, was severely wounded, and
The command of the. First Division de-
volved upon Gen. Ames-'
The fighting of the Eleventh Corps
was obstinate to the last extreme, and
Gen. Gordon. who commanded one of
Early's Brigades, says that Barlow's Di-
vison stood with the fiercest determina-
ton until his line was within 80 PAGES
of them Frequently the two lines in
termingled, and there were hand-to-
hand contests with bayonet and gun
barrel. Barlow's Division was inevitably
forced back, which left Won Amberg's
Brigade alone between two Confederate
brigades, which Immediately turned
upon it, and Dole claims to have cap
tured the greater part of it. The whole
two divisions of the Eleventh Corps
were therefore in rapid retreat to avoid
capture. Gen. Howard personally led
forward Coster's Brigade of Steinwehr's
Division to cover the retreat. AS usual,
Howard showed the greatest gallantry,
managing the colors of a regiment as
best he could with his one arm while
guiding his horse among the fugitives
to rally them and restore the line. The
disorder into which the Eleventh Corps
had fallen was Inevitable, as the fight
ing they had done had been of the ut
most severity in the open field, in which
they had been overpowered and crush
ed AS the fragments fled to the rear
they were merciless1y shelled by the
Confederate artillery massed on Oak
Ridge. Early sent in Hays's Louisiana
Brigade and Hokes's North Carolina
Brigade to cut off the retreat of the
fugitives, but Devin's Cavalry Brigade
galloped in, and, with the assistance of
Coster's Brigade, made some cover for
the retreat. AS the I'D Pa. of Costers
Brigade reached the north edge of the
town it threw up barricade across
the Harrisburg road, while the 9th Pa,
124th and 154th N. Y. CALAMITY charged
out, and held the enemy back in that
direction until the most of the corps
Preached the rallying point of Steinwehr S
Division on Cemetery Hill
John Burns of Gettysburg.
(By Bret Harte.)
Have you heard the story that gossips
OF Burns of Gettysburg?-No? All
WELL
Brief is the glory that hero earns,
Briefer the story of poor John Burns:
He was the fellow who won renown-
The only man who didn't back down
When the rebels rode thru his native
town;
But held his own in the fight next day,
When all his townsfolk ran away.
That was in July, '63,
The very day that Gen. Lee.
Flower of Southern chivalry.
Baffled and beaten, backward reeled
From a stubborn Meade and a barren
field.
I might telfhow but the day before
John Burns stood at his cottage door,
I Looking down the VlifaSe street.
Where, in the shade of his peaceful
vine,
He heard the low of his gathered kline,
And felt their breath with incense
sweet;
Or I might say, when the sunset burned
The old farm gable, he thought ii
turned
The milk that fell like babbling Hood
Into the milk-pail red as blood
Or how he fancied the hum of bees
Were bullets buzZing among the trees