Rocky Ford enterprise. (Rocky Ford, Colo.) 1887-1950, 1913-07-11


the singers. The hum of the chorus
came from every side. and the old men
wept openly.
Aside from the old soldiers them
selves. an Interesting figure is Mrs.
Longstreet, widow OF the commander
at the front of the Confederate lines
in the third days battle. Mrs. Long
street walked mile through the
broiling sun out to the old Rogers
house to interview General Sickles.
Some time ago Mrs. Longstreet sent
a long telegram as representing the
southern veterans In protest against
the old Union veteran being thrown in
jail in New York because of some
financial affairs. 1t was said that
Sickles misunderstood the spirit and
his pride was go hurt that their meet
ing today would not be cordial.
General, have written an article
about you for publication" said Mrs.
Longstreet at the meeting. and she
read several pages of the highest trib-
ute to the old corps leader. whom she
characterized as having come back
and being once again in the saddle.
Half hundred old Sickles' men gath
cred on the lawn and the reading be-
came dramatic. General Sickles lean
ed back In his big chair. closed his
eyes. and looked back to meeting with
Longstreet
Here his widow WAS praising to the
world the valor which she claimed had
gone unrecognized by the government
Tears flowed down the Sickles cheeks
now tanned by his ninety-third sum-
mer, and his old followers doffed their
hats and mingled their tears with
those of their old leader. wetting the
ground upon which long ago had been
soaked by their blood.
James H. Lansberry of St. Louis,
Mo, who enlisted in the Third Indiana
cavalry from Madison. Ind, recited to
his comrades the details of his cap
ture In the town of Gettysburg by
Confederates so years ago. Following
the skirmish just outside of town
which marked the opening of what
was to be a world-famed engagement,
he had been detailed to assist in car.
rying a wounded officer to the old
seminary in Gettysburg. While in
town frantic women flocked about him
and begged that he tell of the battle.
He remained to tell the story. with the
result that he had to spend several
days in following the Confederate
army as a prisoner After tramping
so miles over rough country without
shoes he succeeded in escaping and
finally made his way back to Gettys-
burg. where he remained till August
in assisting in the care of the wound
ed, which were housed in the semin-
nary. churches. barns and public build
ings.
One Of the unadvertised reunions OF
the celebration occurred in the con-
federate section of the camp. A fife
and drum corps Of men in blue tramp
ed up and down the streets of the con-
federate part of the city of tents.
They stopped before the tents. play.
ed such a fanfare as only drums and
flies can make. summoned forth the
their arms about the gray shoulders
ana In a dozen Otner ways showed
their feelings of friendship.
They kept 1t up for hours and WIS.,
tied practically every "reb" tent.
Their reception was as warm as their
greeting.
One of the most interesting placer
in camp was the lost and found bu.
reau. located under the benches in the
big tent Everything found on the
grounds was brought there and thou.
sands applied every day for missing
articles.
There we're at least 100 crutches
piled up in the bureau, dozen or 80 ap-
plicants having called for them. Those
who come to redeem their lost
crutches seldom can recognize them