Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1922-07-06
HISTORY REPEATED.
BY Mcclure Moler.

There are spots Of the earth's sur
face, over which the Angel of Death
seems to hover OF these is the town
OF Gettysburg. in Pennsylvania-un-
known in the month of June. 1868, but
IN July famous as that other insie-
nlhcant hamlet Of Waterloo in July,
ISIS In less than a month this
little village gained world wide fame
from the bloody conflict that was was-
Cd there in the early part of JuH,
1868. The question of secession was
al sake, and this was one Of the turn
ing points in favor Of the conauerine
nests. Before | 60 any farther, /
want 10 bring to the minds of my read
ers the re-enacting Of Pickett's charge,
OF the famous battle Of Gettysburg,
mat was so splendidly accomplished by
the United States marines in the Penn
SyiVania town beginning on the first of
July.
The Marines reproduced the histor-
&c charge of General Pickett twice.
on the Sd OF July, the same tactics
were used that obtained in the Con-
federate army in 1868, when il tried
unsuccessfully to break the Union line
al high-water mark. On the 4th the
charge was made again, this time with
modern methods and strategy, includ-
ing the use OF squadron Of airplanes.
lhe land which was selected for the
charge includes that part OF the ground
over which Pickett's charge took place.
II is owned as part of the government
reservation, but is now in the hands
OF tenant farmer. About 100 acres
were used for the manoeuvers, and this
covers much of the land used in 1917
and 1918 by infantry tank corps men
encamped at Gettysburg as a parade
ground.
Human nature longs for information
OF their friends that they have not
seen for years, or of those who we're
friends of their relatives that fell on
the field Of conflict. 1t is quite prob
able that those who read this article
are not familiar with the names that are
mentioned herein, but it will Undue
I IN them a spirit that characterized
those dreadful days, and carry their
memories back through the years as
they think what the Civil War meant
to our land. Without it, the question
OF secession would not have been settled
or satisfaction would not have been
realized-and we would not today be
the strong and powerful nation that we
are. Ii was necessary.
From time to time throughout this
lengthy discussion | will, with all due
respect and apologies to the great his
torian and writer, John Esten Cooke,
use some of his authentic information
concerning the battle and events lead
ing up to it.
"Gettysburgw Gettysburgv' that is
the cry which escaped from many a
bleeding heart. And the hearts that
bled most have been Southern hearts.
For here not only was the precious
blood Of the South poured out like
water-here the fate of her great SOW
ereignties was decided gettysburg
determined for long years to come, at
least, the destiny of the North American
Continent. Here was the real end of
the struggle and not at Appomattox
On the slopes Of Round Top and Gem
etery Hill, those two Titans, the army
OF Northern Virginia and the army Of
the Potomac, so long warning on each
other, grappled in a life and death
struggle. The fall broke his strength
All the movements Of the giant there
after were the mere tossings and writh-
ings of the great body, weighed down
by the mountain pressing on it," To
60 into detail of this gigantic struggle
would take volumes. For those Of
you who would like to delve into the
very heart of the greatest bit OF his
tory of our country, we suggest no
better volumes than those compiled by
John Esten Cooke.
Shall we say that the battle of Get
tysburg was repeated as it was in the
time of the Civil War? Certainly not
for this reason. When the Blue and
the Gray sought to settle their diff
ferences by sacrificing their life's blood
if need be, there was that spirit that
has called forth the admiration of the
world, and the commentator of both
North and South. 1t is certain that
every detail of the battle of Gettys-
burg was not re-enacted as it was
really fought. don't mean to cast
any reflection Of inferiority upon the
Marines or their superior officers in
stating that-they performed the feat
most creditably. But to those of the
veterans that are still living we think
that no greater tribute could be paid
them and their gallant efforts Of those
trying times.
Shepherdstown and vicinity, as were
all sections Of the country, were rep
resented at the battle OF Gettysburg
Those who were in the fight from here
we're in the Second Virginia Regiment,
Stonewall Brigade. This company
marched to Gettysburg the day before
the battle General Early's Corps,
which was in the rear, was ordered
to proceed at once to the scene OF inn
pending danger. The remainder OF the
company continued on to Carlisle, and
returned to Gettysburg that night.
They entered the battle the next morn
ing on the extreme left OF the line.