The Washington times., 1913-06-23
CHANCE MASONIC
SIGN SAVED LIFE
Wounded at Gettysburg, How
les Accidental Gesture
Brought Help From Comrade

TACOMA, WASH, June 23.-That J.
L. Howie Is not resting under tne
white headstones at Gettysburg Ceme'
terry today. q dead instead OF living
hero, is due to a strange accident.
While badly wounded during retreat
on the second day Of the night. Mr.
Howie accidentally made Masonic
sign. although he was not a member
Of the order. A fleeing comrade saw
1t and helped him 70 safety at risk OF
his own life.
Il was one Of three Scotch boys from
settlement In Pennsylvania, who
served together during the war, SAID
Mr.. HOWE. 'Ah were wounded sew
eral times In the conflict. ! was q mem
Der OF Company X. l4lst Pennsylvania.
'-On MONDAY, july 1. ls6S. We reacnea
TaneyIown, u lew miles from Getlys-
burg. and heard the booming OF can
non. 1t was announced We would 80
no further for the time Deing. We were
tired OF Government grub and few
or US decided to 50 on q little for,
aging expedition. We Jared well and
stayed away somewhat longer than We
troops had moved on. Only one man
renamed, who had been pui In charge
of our guns and told TO wait Tor US.
We hustled after the army with Gilbert
Corwin, the man who had been left
to meet US, telling US that the maRh
Corwin is worth remembering. Tor he
comes into my story later. He was 2
gruff, rough-speaking man, and as j
had been brought UP In the strict Pres
byterian way, ! did not like him.
Wounded, He Started Back.
Tt wss after dark when we finally
caught Up with the troops We lay close
to Gettysburg that night, and the next
morning General Sickles ordered
march toward the Peach Orchard, IA
NOUS spot in Gettysburg history. We
lay there until the afternoon, the only
news being brought to US by our pick
cts. who came back reporting that the
enemy's pickets had attacked them. Il
was about o'clock when the Confed-
crates made a charge on our battery.
With bayonets fixed they rushed to-
ward our guns, while We lay back
among the trees until they were almost
shout and poured lead into them. The
scrimmage was comparatively brief and
then they retreated.
General Sickles rode up and ordered
us to face to the right. where there was
large wheat feld, but they rose every.
then. I was hit In the hip at almost
the first yolley. Only one Of the other
scotch boys was in the regiment at that
time, and he was also plugged when
Lonsstrset made his charge from the
wheat field.
Knowing was 80 wounded ] could
be of no further use, started back
Our whole line retreated under Long
streets charge. The Union army has
been criticised for its part In this clash.
but II was a furious and unexpeeted
my hurt hip, the whole regiment, with
the coiors. went past me. l was dizzy
and reeling.
Among the last to come was Glib
Corwin. He passed me. looked at me.
was staggering. He cut my belt and
made II easier for me- Then he started
to help me along. asked HIM why he
wanted to risk his own life for mine!
He replied Good God. do you think Id
leave you hereT
Gave Sign By Accident.
Il asked Corwin later why he had
stopped to help me. and he said he
thought he saw me give . Masonic
signal. Owing 10 some lucky accident
in my motions as tried to run with
the bullet in my hip must have made
what seemed to Glib like q Masonic
sign.
THE next day I was put into my
proper corps hospital, and was in
tent near q 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
a gain ! was rescued by Glib Corwtn.
who carried me to dry place. He
nursed me through most Of my sick
ness, and to the man whom had
thought of 90 harshiy at first because
Of his rough vulgar speech / owed the
most careful treatment
Il promised to help Corwin should
he ever be in danger. but the most I
could do for him was to hunt his grave
a few months later when he was killed
and buried in a shallow trench by Con- |
federates. With several companions !
reburied him In q decent grave. That
was all the help I could be to him."