The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1914-01-15
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FIRST TO SEE CONFEDERATES
Boston Man Sighted Approach Of Van
guard of Army of Virginia.
Brought Out the Reserves.

Thomas Benton Kelley, the custo-
dian of the rooms Of the Vermont as
sociation of Boston, sighted the ap-
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 a
boyhood friend of Stephen A. Douglas.
Kelley had met Abraham Lincoln in
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 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
two 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.
Il was posted at six a. m. on July l
with Private James o. Hale of our
company by Sergeant Levi s. Shafer.
We were on high ground between Will
loughby Run and Cashtown creek.
About ten minutes after we went
on duty Hale and / noticed a thin
cloud of dust rising about two miles
away. In few minutes we could dis
Germ dark cloud extending about a
mile and half We watched the
cloud coming nearer for about 40 min
utes and then we saw what we be-
lieved was the head of the Confeder-
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 | 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. | wanted to get the
reserves up in time to hold that
ground against the Confederates.
so l 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 Il. Jones was in
command Of this small force about AZ
rods in the rear. When gave him the
message he snatched 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 were
there. Lieutenant Jones, after scan
ming the approaching Confederates
took Sergeant Shafers Carbine anC
stepping to the rail fence rested the
barrel in a crotch. The head Of the
column was then within range ant
Lieutenant Jones picked out a mar
riding large gray hcrse just at the
left of the colors. He aimed at hin
and fired, but ! do not think he hi
him
This was the opening shot OF thu
battle of Gettysburg. Immediately th'
Confederate column halted, and lln'
of skirmishers was thrown out. Onl!
a few minutes had elapsed since
gave the alarm, but we had beer
reinforced by our cavalry, and we sen
out skirmishers.
Our command was ordered to dis
mount and our horses were sent t.
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 tn
infantry to come up to reinforce US
and although we were outnumbere'
five to one we held our ground for
time. We were forced back slowly
but we kept on firing as we retreateo
By this time the action was general.
After we we're relieved by the II
fantry our regiment was ordered t
take the prisoners back and dellve
them to the provost marshal. We di
so and after that we supported the II
fantry, taking care Of the left tian
movement of our infantry"