The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1913-07-03
Heavy Rain Brings
Needed Relief to
Gettysburg Veterans
WHEN STORM BROKE VETER-
ANS RAN As OF OLD AND
FINED UP TENTS.
Many Interesting Features Wit
messed at Various Meetings and
Many Touching Incidents.

GETTY SECRG, Pa. July "A roar
ing storm swept down out OF the blue
ildec over the plateau of Gettysburg
t"day. bringing nccuCC relief to thOuS-
anus OF veterans IN blue and gray who
nave sweltered FOR four days IN an at
mosphere that would do credit TO N
hreless cooker but is dangerous in a
CITY Of hfty thousand old and weary
men. For more than n half hour the
rain came pouring down upon the sun
cracked and wind swept encampment
sround. II charged with violent thun-
derirg over the ground that Pickett
covered In '61 Its salvos Of thunder
were like the booming guns OF Meade
and Lee. but the thermometer dropped
with wonderful agility and cleared tho
air ut its burden of humidity.
In IN" vanguard Of the storm was a
wind tuat cddicd the dust In clouds,
blinded thu veterans and made the
thoughtful scurry for their tents 10
lash them down. They showed they
Au: not forgotten the old days. for not
a tent was blown over. as far as re-
ports showed tonight, and not "A vet
'r1n was injured. AZ the big tent
where the formal exercises were held
the army Of workmen hurried in the
face of the storm to put mp its sides
ami prepare for the unusual.
For days they have watched for the
coming of Dig wind. and men have
been stationed TO tie IL tight II the
wind rose above a gentle breeze. Pre-
uirtious have been many that "A sud
c'n gust would li:t the canvas and
N" poles high into the air and spread
destruction IN its path
Tonight the veterans were really
able 10 enjoy themselves for the first
time since their arrival. although the
ground WAS slippery. the roads a half
inch deep IN mud that once was dust
and the grass was wet and uncomfort-
able
This was military day in the big
tsnt. hut comparatively few veterans
appeared TO listen To the speechmak-
ing and tn hear the bands play "Tur-
key in the Straw" old Black Joe"
end other well known military airs.
Col. cowan Makes Hit.
Col Andrew Cowan. of Louisville.
Ky. acted as presiding officer OF the
day. and he to.u several stories that
brought smiles TO tho lips of his
hearers. Col Cowan was an officer
IN q Union battery which played a
part I'm The Gettysburg campaign.
"On the third day Of tho battle" he
said. Two of my officers were
wounded on Cemetery ridge went
With them TO a hospital nearby. and
before left wounded Confederate
officer was brought in
Just before / LEFT with my battery
IN pursiit OF Lee / went 10 him and
told him that everything possible
ou!i b" done for him.
u wish you would see 20 Il that
TO reports 20 ont that ] have been
wounded hc said My VIII" Is in a
delicate condition. and I'm afraid II
she heard about 10 t. might kill her
II went % ;hc doctor iu charge and
told h.m 'he story. and hc promised
o. do an DC could
"Twouty'hrce years later that
/ Union doctor was sitting in his office
b. Tlliufcid. y ! 81 forgot his
Iamoi. when q boy walked IN.
I Doctor hc said. = want 20 shake
yolr hand ann going 20 school over
.lt Princeton. and my father told me
when came up hora 90 look you up.
Ile said YOU saved DIS life.
Doctor DEE continued. I'm the
boy"
Cui CoVan brought The veterans
. fo their fnC' when no BEGAN to praise
N1tor No-moy'o. capt Dalton and
. fh. Other officers of fun reCular army
b % lo conduct the big camp. They
have earned cuiurrr fame. and We
thank 'hsm f-nm the bottom of our
/ ls4rf-.- hc said
COL CoVar turned fp the navy and
i'ro 11paros" situation.
"Vr OUGHT fu build two h1tficehlps
frr every or" 'lI do.-r hv Japan.
. re said. 1ri fh" Veterans cheered
I HcI.r and aEF.1 ." rrOTl" on f1o
-r-loa ci''oz or-Hf rrf fo hc left
without protection We CuEht 90 Dc
Gcoutinued on rare Eight)