The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1938-06-30
"A. A. Wilson Joins Comrades at
Gettysburg Blue, Gray Reunion
VETERAN, Sc, LEAVES
WITH DAUGHTER TO
VISIT BATTLEFIELD

To meet in peaceful reunion
with the forces against whom he
fought in the Civil War, A. A.
Wilson, 90, of Redwood Falls left
Monday to join other surviving G.
A. r. comrades in encampment
adjoining that of former confed-
crate soldiers at Gettysburg where
one of the greatest battles in his
tory was fought.
All expenses of Mr.. Wilson and
his daughter Mrs. Archie Potter
of Pierre, South Dakota, who will
act as his attendant, are paid by
the government. Both left wear
ing imposing bronze badges, Mr..
Wilson's with an eagle holding in
its talonS insignia of both Union
and southern armies and Mrs.
Potter's of simpler design. Both
medals bear ribbons in which
blue and gray are combined to
symbolic the reconciliation of
combatants in the battle rs years
ago.
1t will be Mr.. Wilson's first
sight of Gettysburg, although he
fought in the Civil War for three
years, enlisting at the age of 10. &
He tells little of his war exper-
fences bearing out the popular be-
lief that those men who see the
worst of fighting are reluctant to
speak of it.
Wounded In Battle
His daughters, however, re-
count how he was wounded
through wrist and thigh at the
battle of Pittsburgh Landing and
held candle so that a physician
I could see to remove the bullet. Ir
those days anesthetics were UNI
known.
His company was d of the
Thirty-Sixth Indiana Volunteers
He is the last surviving member
of the company and, he believes
of his regiment.
Battles in which he and hi.
comrades engaged included the
battle of Chickamagua, Stone
River and siege of Atlanta.
In wonderful physical condi-
ton, he was spruce in a grey sui
and black felt hat as he stood or
the station platform ready to be-
gin his trip. His hair and bearc
are snowy white and his carriage
is still that of a good soldier
Those who saw him and Mrs. Pot.
ter off were another daughter
Mrs. Malcolm Dennistoun, Mrs. D
A. Dennistoun and Peter Dennis.
toun.
From Chicago, a special trair
with the finest accommodation;
took the veterans to Gettysburg
Arriving there Wednesday, they
will be given an opportunity for {
two days rest before commemora-
tive activities begin July 1.
The tents in which the handful
of surviving veterans will camp
are far cry from those in which
| they slept in the war. Electric
lights, cement floors and othel
conveniences are provided.
To Hear Speakers
The first day, veterans will
hear addresses by the secretary o.
war, governor of Pennsylvania
the commander in chief of the C
A. r. and the commander in-chie.
of the u. c. v.
The second day there will be {
parade in honor of veterans of the
north and south, Civil War vet.
Grams not participating. The NOR
ming of July there will be
church services and in the after.
noon President Roosevelt is ex-
pected to assist in the dedication
of an eternally lighted peace
memorial. July 4 the regular
army will put on the program.
Mr.. Wilson never saw Presi.
dent Lincoln who delivered hi.
famous eulogy of the dead of botI
sides at Gettysburg. He has visit.
ed both his birthplace and grave
however.
A. F. Werner of Lamberton
only other surviving Civil Wa
soldier of Redwood county coulc
not attend. First thing MIR. Wilson
| plans to do when he gets back, hi
says, is to visit Mr.. Werner anC
tell him all about it.