The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-10-25

10 TIE DIllOT vi JuC itiSS-DlspdtGn.
Sir.-Can YOU or any survivor of the
Battle OF SharpsburG recall the facts
in regard OF the Lone Gun" displayed
in the pictures of that fight In the Cen
tury Magazine Of June, isS5---if my
memory serves me. Throughout the
hard fought battle. ] have cherished a
belief that this Lone Gun" waa init
mateIy associated with my experience
young soldier in Ashland Artll-
lery," OF Longstreets Corps. Army Of
Northern Virginia. ] was orderly SER
seant OF this battery. and I'm this fight
was in command of ono OF che guns.
and, in fact, felt at the time that |
WAS in command OF the whole force of
artillery on our side! was qaite
young at the time, and consequently
had enlarged ideas of my Importance,
as. indeed was necessary by reagon of
the uncomfortable nearness OF the
heavy columns of Yankees issuing from
tho woods in our front at pointhlank
range. ondeavorinG. as I thought. to
capture this ono field piece at least,
whether they got any moro or not.
Wcll--they got 1t, along with several
other things in the way OF canister
and other death dealing missiles-but
only after Billy Kcmper rode up In n
great hurry with an order from some
body to abandon the piece. II the old
gun was worth taxing away by the
1aHkt-WHiCn uOuut~l bubpeCN II
was too hot for them to handle. fact
that was confirmed by their leaving the
old piece on the field. and we recovered
it when we drove the enemy back
afterwards.
We were stationed near the bunker
Church. but In the open field. where
The fight was the hottest. twithout
other portions OF the iine), hut II WAS
warm enough to satisfy anybody
thirst for glory. for. in addition to the
CALLING Are pumped into us from the
Infantry In our front. we were treated
to an eniiladng artillery fire from long
range batteries on our right that we
could not see. but oh my, what n noise.
These big shells that were thrown at
us on o,is flank. educated us in the art
Of making profound kotows. which had
a Significance Of their own, as express
ing a natural preference to keep our
leads of which we had special use
just then. In regard to this. ask Bob
Southall, IL he lis still living; for Bob
and / agreed not to bow, az being
against good order and discipline. but
we caught each other In the act prompt
~ and relieved our conscience by burst
ing out IN q laugh, which I fear was
rather devoid of real merrimtnt.
To return to the lone gum have
been led to believe that II was the only
gNn IOSt on cltner size III tne Dattie
maybe because have never taken the
trouble to read the reports on that
6ght,t and maybe because l wanted tn
enjoy the distinction, again may be n
doubtful one. OF having commanded that
particular gun. In fact, j have only
misty recollection of the whole busi-
ness, and sometimes when j endeavor
10 recall thingH that happened between
81 and Go, am almost led to the
conclusion that there were only one
long picnic indnlged in by w Of the
then younger element.
l would be greatly Obliged to any old
comrade TO be informed about the old
piece. whether in confirmation OF refu-
iation of my impressions.
BIC SERG EANT."
woolfolk's Battery.
Richmond. Va.