Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-01-15
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FIRST TO SEE C0NFEDERATES
Boston Man Sighted Approach of Van
guard of Army of Virginia.
Brought Out the Reserves.

AhNGlds DeHtOA hSliSH, the CUSJO-
dian of the rooms of the Vermont as
ISOLATION of Boston, sighted the APP
/ proach of the vanguard of the Army
of North Virginia, gave the alarm
which brought up the reserves, and
saw the first shot fired in the battle
/ of Gettysburg
Mr.. Kelley served as a private in
Company e. Eighth Illinois cavalry.
! Born in Vermont, he went to Illinois
| when a boy with his father who was
| boyhOod friend of Stephen A. Douglas.
| Kelley had met Abraham Lincoln i'll
! Chicago in 1856, and had attended
/ the famous debates between Lincoln
and Douglas. and had become an
| ardent follower of Lincoln He en-
listed in a company commanded by
! his uncle. who was not only one OF
| the strongest men in Illinois of his.
| day, but was a notable swordsman.
| Our cavalry reached Gettysburg
! tive days before the Union infantry,
said Mr.. Kelley, speaking of his ex-
| periences IN that. battle "On the
/ morning of July l detail from our
| regiment was on picket duty watching
/ the approach by the Chambersburg
! pike
4 was posted at six a. m. on July
/ with Private James o. Hale of cur
/ company by Sergeant Levi S. Shafer.
! We were on high ground between vii
| loughby Run and Cashtown creek.
About ten minutes after we went
Ill -.
! cloud OF dust rising about two miles
! away, In a few minutes we could dis
/ Germ a dark cloud extending about
! mile and half We watched the
cloud coming nearer for about 40 min
utes and then we saw what we be-
leyed was the head of the Confeder-
J ate line making its way out to the
pike in the vicinity Of Cashtown
! creek
When we finally made out the
! Confederate flag in advance l looked
| for Sergeant Shafer, as it was my
| duty to report to him. He was not
| in sight. and | did not wish to lose
! the advantage we had in occupying
the high ground l wanted to get the
| reserves up in time to hold that
! ground against the Confederates.
SO | felt justified in leaving my
post. and after telling Private Hale
| to tell Sergeant Shafer that the John
MES were coming | galloped back to-
! where the reserves were Camped.
Lieut.. Marcellus E. Jones was in
! command of this small force about IS
| rods in the rear. When ! gave him the
! message he ss.a,ched his bride rein
| from the limb Of sapling, vaulted in
| to the saddle and ordered the relief.
composed of two troops, to rush to the
! outpost
when we reached the post Ser
! geant Shafer and Private Hale we've
| there. Lieutenant Jones, after scan
ming the approaching Confederates,
| took Sergeant Skaters carbine and
| stepping to the rail fence rested the
| barrel in Il crotch The head of the
column was then within range and
Lieutenant Jones picked out man
| riding a large gray horse just at the
| left OF the colors. He aimed at him
! and fired, but | do not think he hit,
| him.
This was the opening shot of the
! battle of Gettysburg. Immediately the
| Confederate column halted, and line.
| of skirmishers was thrown out. Only
| a few minutes had elapsed since /
! gave the alarm, but we had been
reinforced by our cavalry, and We sent
! out skirmishers.
Our command was ordered TO dis
mount and our horses were sent to-
! the rear. In 10 or IL minutes the bat
| tie was on in earnest.
I'VE fought the Confederate dis
| mounted cavalry while waiting for the
! infantry to come UP to reinforce us.
! and although we were outnumbered
! five to one we held our ground for a
! time We were forced back slowly.
! but we kept on firing as we retreated-
! by this time the action was general
After we were relieved by the In
! fantry our regiment was ordered to-
take the prisoners back and deliver
/ them to the provost marshal. We did
so and after that we supported the in
fantry. taking care Of the left flank
/ movement of our infantry