The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1913-07-17

Fifty years to the hour tlvm tbs
time when the first shot preceding the
battle was fired reunion meeting C
the blue and the gray was held in the
big tent. The gray cavalry men who
fought the skirmishes that led up to
the three days fight pledged them
selves in the shadows Of the stars and
stripes to forget" and their brothers
in blue swore by the stars and bars
that the fight was over for all time.
There were several women from the
village in the tent and six one-time
schoolgirls, gray-haired and aged now.
sang Rally Round the Flag. Boys"
while the veterans wept like boys. but
with pride. The six women who sang
the battle song were among those who
thronged the streets Of Gettysburg
after the advance guard Of the south
ern army left it SO years ago. On the
night when Buford's men came rid
ing into the village on the heels OF
Wheeler's men in gray maidens strew.
ed flowers along the streets and bells
the coming of the blue and the town
went wild.
OF all the scores of girls who well
coined the vanguard of Meade, only a
half dozen could be found, and they
stood, white-haired with tears in their
eyes on platform in the big tent and
sang to the weeping soldiers In the
seats below,
I'm afraid we can't sing like we
sang SO years ago." said the ma
tronly woman who acted as leader as
she led the way up the steps to the
platform.
I'VE don't care; Just sing again"
shouted the veterans. AS the first
notes OF the wartime melody came
from them In quavering tones, the vet
Grams both of the north and Of the
south sat quiet with eyes fixed upon
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
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 so hurt that their meet
ing today would not be cordial.
General, l have written an article
about you for publication" said Mrs.
Longstreet at the meeting, and she
g read several pages of the highest trib-
y 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-
q came dramatic. General Sickles lean
ed back in his big chair, closed his
n eyes, and looked back to meeting with
Longstreet.
>, world the valor which she claimed hat
q gone unrecognized by the government
Tears flowed down the Sickles cheek!
S. now tanned by his ninety-third sum
mer, and his old followers dotted thei
d hats and mingled their tears Will
those OF their old leader, wetting thu
II ground upon which long ago had beef
d soaked by their blood.
James H. Lansberry of ST. Louis
- Mo-. who enlisted in the Third Indian
8 cavalry from Madison, Ind, recited t
-. y his comrades the details Of his cal
- ture In the town of Gettysburg b
~ Confederates so years ago. FolloW1n
90 the skirmish just outside of tow
a. which marked the opening of wha
- was to be world-famed engagement
~ he had been detailed to assist in ca
-, rying a wounded officer to the Of
~ seminary in Gettysburg. While
40 town frantic women focked about hill
- and begged that he tell Of the battl
~ He remained to tell the story, with tn
result that he had to spend sever;
=, days in following the Confederat
~ ~ army as prisoner. After trampln
- so miles over rough country W1thol
~ shoes he succeeded in escaping an
40 finally made his way back to Getty
burg where he remained till Angus
in assisting in the care of the woun
ne ed. which were housed in the semi
VI nary, churches, barns and public bull
IN ihgs.
- One of the unadvertised reunions
the celebration occurred In the co
~ federate section Of the camp II
-, and drum corps of men in blue tram
ed up and down the streets OF the co
q Az. a;4.1 l,P Aonkn