Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1915-12-16

1t was July 1, 1862 at Gettysburg,
Pa. Mr.. Wilson's brigade was in the
rear and didn't get to the scene of
battle until night. For that reason
he was not in the first days battle.
The next morning, July End, his reg
ment was in their last and most
famous battle. Before the battle
opened Gen. Hancock being in COM
mand of that division of the army,
mounted stump and made a short
speech which Wilson relates as be-
ing something like this:
Boys, a great battle is before us,
a day that may determine the history
of our country. See yonder Confed-
crate battery on that high hill, that
is Little Round Top, we are asked
to take it, we can and we will. Boys
have confidence in me as I have in
you and we will succeed"
AS history relates, they succeeded
and in a short time were firmly plant
ed on that commanding hill. At the
foot of this bluff, and on the oppo-
site side from which the Union army
had advanced, there was, at that
time, heavy forest, and In this
place of refuge detachment of Con-
federate soldiers were stationed. Gen.
eral Hancock saw the necessity of
taking this position, for as long as
the enemy held it they had a chance
to make it disagreeable for the I'm
ion troops on Little Round Top.
1t was dangerous position to take
and could only be taken with heavy
loss of life. 500 of the best soldiers
were chosen and Wilson's company
was included. Down the hill they
swept like wild fire into the forest
and into the mouths of the southern
canonns. 1t was their Waterloo The
fire was too heavy and they were
compelled to retreat, leaving over
600 of their men dead.
When Wilson'S company advanced
they numbered so but when the Skin
mish was over but fifteen of them
were left to tell the story. One of
them was soon after killed and two
more were wounded. leaving but
pany One of these wounded men
was Mr.. Wilson, having been shot in
the side, thus ending his part in that
decisive battle. He and the remnant
of his company were then sent out
side of the skirmishing line.
The next day, July Srd, Mr.. Will
son viewed the bravest and most
wonderful military feat ever seen in
the United States. 1t was "Pickett's
Charge" He tells of that terrible
ikirmish and says he can see those
brave men dressed in gray, charge
up the valley to their death as though
it were but yesterday.
This was the last Sycle's reg
ulars were no more, but they had ac-;
comrlished their work and went to
their Death only after they had help
ed to win the most decisive battle of
the war which broke the backbone of
the south. AS Wilson says: I'VE
entered the war at the beginning and
fought until we mashed the snakes
head, while those who entered the
army later only helped to hammer
him on the tail. =
Mr.. Wilson's wound was a serious
one and he was sent to the hospital
at Erie, Pa, and later to Washington
where he had the honor. of shaking
hands with President Lincoln. He
was never sent to, the ffont again
but was placed on a beats at Port
Hamilton, N. Y, and served. until
the end OF the war in<transporting
prisoners from that place to Mont
gomery lie. - 49, itr@T ~
Mr.. Wilson came to Iowa forty or
more years ago, locating first at Koz-
ia, in Iowa county. In 1882 he came
to Audubon county, purchasing 40
acres in section thirty, Lincoln town.
ship. twelve miles northeast of Aud
ubon. He was married shortly after
ward to Miss Lucy Weber and togeth-
err they lived on the Audubon coun-
ty land until eighteen years ago
when they moved to Shelby county,
a 140 acre farm in the
part, but retained their
land in this county. They had no
children so the Shelby county farm
was recorded in his wife's name.
Mrs. Wilson died about three years
ago without leaving a will, therefore
a part of the property went to her
nearest relatives, brothers and sis
ters who received half or 20 acres
Of the Shelby county farm. Mr. Will
son was allowed to keep the 40 in
this county as it was in his own
name.
This was In 1912 and at that time
his ITO acres of land and his money
to about $4,000. AS his
wife was dead, and having no rela-
tives, Mr.. Wilson was nearly heart
broken and wanted to get away from
old acquaintance to go among
strangers. which he did by going to
G. s. Christensen who had been
farming the land in this county for
several years, cintinued to do so
January 7, 1915, deed came to the
Recorders Office at Audubon in which
Mr.. Wilson had transferred his farm
to Chas. M. Reeser, of Omaha. At
about the same time another deed
was recorded at Harlan affecting the
Shelby county land, the transfer be-
Ing made to the same party.
This man Reeser has been trying
to sell this land all summer, and
seemed very anxious to dispose Of 1t,
but always wanting a liberal cash
payment and to furnish a quit claim
deed. His actions finally aroused sus-
picion. County Attorney, John A.
Graham was notified and asked to in