The Jones County news., 1913-07-10
AT CETTEYSBUNC
Veteran j. A. Pack Returns
and Tells About the Great
Reunion of the Johnnies
and Yanks.

Of his entire trip, including sleeping
car fare, was only $3.50. On reach
mig Gettysburg Capt. Pack and the
the other members Of his old brigade
we're the specially invited guests OF
the Massachusetts regiment with
which they fought in that memorable
battle and entertained royalty. While
the other old soldiers, both Union
and Confederates, were lodged in a
city OF tents, for the celebration that
Massachusetts command had rented a
large wooden building in the center
OF the old battlefield for the entertain
ment of their old rebel guests. Capt
Pack and his old comrade from Lau-
rel, j M. Griffin, were given a nicely
furnished room on the second floor,
directly over the room occupied by
Gen. Sickels, the brave old Federal
commander, who had lost leg in the
battle OF Gettysburg. Capt Pack,
who is the Yankees ideal in his eve
ry feature and movement of genuine
old Southerner and rebel, says Gen.
Sickles and himself were a great deal
together and became quite chummy.
Gen. Sickles is ninety years old and
goes on crutches, but is still an active
man for his age. He was exceedingly
courteous and attentive TO the old
Coafeds, and had his picture taken
surrounded by group Of them, in
cluding Capt. Pack. He says his
Yankee hosts just could not do near
enough for them. Some brought
their wives and daughters, and these
Northern ladies were untiring in look
ing after the comfort Of the old rebs.
They kept always a supply of hot cof-
fee and waited upon them. The meals
were served on nice tables in a large
diuing-room, and laden with every
thing good TO eat. Their kindness
and hospitality were lavish, unbound
ed aud unstinted.
Capt Pack says he recognized the
house at which they we're entertained
the moment ha saw II, although the
building bad been considerably on
larged. 1t stands in the midst OF the
battlefield and his brigade and that
Massachusetts command had fought
all around it, the house being riddled
with balls. The Captain says that
during the fight on that hot July day
he and other soldiers rushed to well
in the yard OF that house to quench
their thirst and fill canteens, bullets
rattling around them like hail, and he
thought ii the coldest and best water
he ever tasted. Just as soon as his
eye his eye rested on that house he
remembered that we'll, which had been
gratefully lingering in his mind for
half century, and scarcely stopping
To greet his entertainers, went out in
search OF It.
lie found the old we'll just as when
the battle ragged, and he lost no time
in filling up with water. 1t tasted as
sweet and was as icy cold as fifty
years ago. The Captain saws during
his stay at Gettysburg he spenta good
part OF his time at that we'll, for it fell
to him as an old friend.
Capt. Pack says it was awful hot
weather and he did not go all over the
battlefield, but confined himself tc
The ground over which his command
had fought. While every spot of in.
terest is marked with handsome mon.
uments and tablets and miles of fine
drives built, the scene was as natural
and familiar to him as those July
days fifty years agone when Lees ar
my marched upon the scene, and foI
three days the hills ran rivulets oi
gore and the wales were drenched In
blood. He could readily trace every
movement of his command, and all
hnt stand in the tracks where he had
halted to fight. He went on top OF
Little Round Top, the DEVILS Den,
the scene OF Pickett's charge and other
noted spots. This is splendidly pre-
served battlefield, and there are pre-
served some of the old houses that
we're peppered with bullets and cannon
bans sull sticking in their walls.
Capt. Pack says on landing in Get
tysburg he had no difficulty in fnding
his destination, SO well was every
thing arranged, When he approach
ed the house where that Massachusetts
command was TO entertain them, he
was greeted with;
aHalloa! Johnnie. Come right In
and make yourself at home, for we
-. nurf,,l u nd 10 see YOU.