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soldier of the war. If he had been educated at
West Point, great as his achievements were, there is no telling what more he might have accomplished in the military line.
He was daring and absolutely fearless in battle, and a most thorough and accomplished gentleman.
When we went into
Pennsylvania, of course, my battery moved with
Early's Division, and we finally, on June 2, 1863, landed in the
Fair Grounds of
York, without any incident worthy of mention here.
In that city we were treated with much kindness by many of its citizens, and there I met friends and acquaintances who were cordial and hospitable.
General Gordon, in his article in
Scribner's of July 1903, refers to the fact that
General Early levied a contribution upon the citizens of
York to satisfy the urgent necessities of his men; but I do not know that he ‘contracted to pay for these things some time after the independence of the
Confederacy.’
It sounds a little characteristic of the old general, and like one of his jokes.
Perhapes he had faith in the ultimate independence of the
Confederacy, and considered he was making an honest contract.
Maybe it was attributed to him as many jokes were attributed to
Mr. Lincoln without any foundation.
However, I think it was a fact that his men were more comfortable when they left
York than when they entered.
On the morning of June 30th, we left
York and moved along the turnpike towards Heddlersburg.
After resting that night near that village,
Early's Division, with
Lieutenant-Colonel Hilary P. Jones' Battalion of Artillery accompanying it, marched toward
Gettysburg, which was south of us, and near which we could hear the roar of the battle, in which
Lieutenant-General Hill's corps had become engaged.
On reaching a position, from which
Gettysburg came in view, about a mile distant, we could see the battle raging on our right.
My battery was halted in the road, somewhat further in the direction of
Gettysburg, and on the north side of
Rock Creek, an open undulating field lying between us and the suburbs of
Gettysburg, which was situated on the slope approaching
Cemetery Hill, and was about twelve hundred or fourteen hundred yards distant.
