News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1913-09-17
An Incident at Gettysburg
From the Burlington Free Press

|
Although volumes have been written
and spoken to impress upon the minds Of
the American citizen the Importance OF
this great love feast which has just end.
ed at Gettysburg, it seemed to the listen.
or that the following incident should be
added for the reason that SO many of our
Vermonters participated.
Tent number four, head quarters Thir-
teenth Vermont Regiment association was
a very popular place for the passerby to
drop in and have a friendly chat, some
cool drink, etc.-then proceed on his way
refreshed.
This,tent was pitched on an eminence
overlooking the Confederate camp in the
distance, and the roadway between was
garnished with cannon-the cannon that
belched forth so many death-deaing mis-
siles so years before.
That peace reigned over this fold was
demonstrated by the fact that two differ
ent families of birds made their home 10
the gun that pointed toward tent four
and the veterans and their friends were
amused to see the parent bird coax the
little ones to the mouth of the cannon to
feed them.
Several times a fedgling-too eager to
seize the proffered bug or worm, tumbled
to the ground but it was Immediately re-
placed by some soldier who was watch
ing.
The mine host of tent four, Col. II. 0.
Clark of East Orange, N. j., and Milton,
VT, was at home at all hours, made
every one thrice welcome and especially
the "Johnnies. Again and again he
would call Johnnie" over for friend
ly chat, give him glass of ice water or
iced tea and add to his comfort in any
way that he could.
Toward evening on the anniversary of
the second days battle, an old Vlrginiau,
a survivor of Pickett's famous charge,
some OF his war history, his great delight
to be present at the reunion and so on,
it came out in a casual way, that he had
been relieved of his last five dollars in his
own tent, the night before. In an instant
Colonel Clark drew five-dollar note
from his pocket, seized the old warriors
hat and passed it among the comrades in
the tent, every one of whom was eager
to contribute, and the hat was returned
with about three times as much m0ney
as had been lost. The old man was over
whelmed with gratitude-all he could
say was, Comrades, | did not expect
this" Then addressing Colonel Clark,
he said, "What shall 1 do to thank you?"
Colonel Clark told him to come again and
bring his picture to him. Early the next
morning, while on his way to the station
to board the home-bound train. "Mr |
Johnnie" appeared with his picture and
and to have a final hand-shake and look |
"boys in blue" who had shown him so
plainly that their creed is
mo North, no South, no alien now
Firm for one cause, one flag we stand. |
Hearts melted into sacred flame
For God and home. and native land"
1t may be of further interest to the |
reader to know that among these gentle |
men were Col. q. w. Allen. Col. c. ID.
Williams, Gen. T. S. Peck, Col. MyroGN. |
Parker, Judge G. S. Palmer, James Ben
son, Frank Kenfeld, George n Wright. |
William Blakely, w. w. Holden, Tracy |
brothers, A. III. Sherman, William Crosby,
Ell. McNoll. Eli N Peck, g. L. McBrid e,
Peter Lander, H. W. Como, j. W. Bou t
well and John d. Farwell
A Vermont Woman at Gettysburg