The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-06-28
HIS LIFE SAVED
BY lNADVERTENT
MASONIC SIGN
wounded at Gettysburg, in Re.
treat, Chance Gesture
Brought Help
SEEN AND INTERPRETED
BY MEMBER OF ORDER
Only Return HOWE Was Able
10 Make Was to Give Rescuer
Decent Burial

lACoMA, Wash.-That J. L. HOWE
not resting under the white head.
stones at Gettysburg cemetery today.
uead instead OF living hero, Is due
10 strange accident. While badly
wounded during a retreat on the sec
ono day OF the fight. Mr.. HOWE acct
dentaliy made a Masonic sign, al
though he was not n member of the
order. A fleeing comrade saw II and
heiped him TO safety at risk of his
own life.
was one of three Scotch boys
from a settlement in Pennsylvania,
VINO served together during the war"
said Mr.. Howie All we're wounded
several times In the conflict | was
member Of Company X, One Hun
dred and Forty-flrst Pennsylvania.
On Monday, July l, 1863, we
reached Taneytown, few miles from
gettysburg. and heard the booming OF
cannon. 1t was announced that we
would go no further for the time be-
Ing. We were tired OF government
grub and few of us decided to go
on little foraking expedition. We
Jared we'll and stayed away somewhat
longer than we had expected. When
We returned. the troops had moved
on. Only one man remained. who had
been put In charge OF our guns and
told to wait for US. We hustled az
ter the army with Gilbert Corwin,
the man who had been left, to meet
us, telling us that the march bad been
begun some time before. ~corwin Is
worth remembering, for he comes
into my story later. He was grun
rough-speaking man. and as | had
been brought up in the strict Presby-
terrain way I did not like him.
1T was after dark when we finally
caught up with the troops. We lay
close TO Gettysburg that night, and
the next morning Gen. Sickles ordered
a march toward the Peach Orchard,
a FAMOUS spot in Gettysburg history.
We lay there until the afternoon. the
only news being brought 10 us by our
pickets, who came back reporting that
the enemys pickets had attacked
them II was about 3 o'clock when
the confederates made charge on
our battery. With bayonets fixed they
rushed toward our guns, while we lay
back among the trees until they were
almost upon us. Then we jumped up
with a shout and poured lead into
them. The scrimmage was compare
lively brief and then they retreated.
Gen. Sickles rode up and ordered
us 10 face TO the right, where there
was a large wheat field, but they
rose everywhere among the grain and
we got il then. ! was hit in the hip
at almost the first volley. Only one
OF the other Scotch boys was In the
regiment at that time. and he was
also plugged when Longstreet made
his charge from the wheat field
Knowing was so wounded | could
be of no further use, started back.
Our whole line retreated under Long
streets charge. The union army has
been criticised for it's part in this
clash. but 1t was furious and unex-
nected assault. Run as we'll as
could with my hurt hip, the whole
regiment with the colors, went past
me | was dizzy and Keeling.
Among the last to come was GID
Corwin. He passed me, looked at me,
suddenly stopped and ran to where |
was staggering. He cut my belt and
made It easier for me. Then ne
started to help me along. ] asked him
why he wanted to risk his own life
for mine? He replied, Good God, DO
YOU think I'd leave you here?'
IT asked Corwin later why he, had
stopped to help ME and he said he
thought he saw me give Masonic
signal Owing to some lucky acci'
dent In my motions as | tried to run
with the bullet in my hip ] must have
made what seemed TO Glib like
Masonic sign.
with Corwin's help | was able TO
reach safety. In the confusion, how
ever. I was put in the ambulance or
the wrong corps and | was not given
as prompt treatment as wouid
otherwise have been. Another Scotch
man gave me assistance, however, and
he stole one.half OF a blanket to put
over me.
THE next day ! was put into my
proper corps hospital. and was In
tent near a river bank when the heavy
rain fell the night OF July 3. was
soaked with the rain that came down
the hillside in torrents, and there
again I was rescued by Glib Corwin,
who carried me TO a dry place. He
nursed me through most OF my sick
ness and to the man whom ] had
thought OF so harshly at first because
~ his rough. vulgar speech | owed
the most careful treatment.
'T promised TO help Corwin snouio
he ever be In danger. but the most
could do for him was to hunt his grave
a few months later when he was
killed and buried In shallow trench
by confederates With several com
panions | reburied him In decent
III tha ha1n i could