Rensselaer Republican, Volume 23, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 November 1890 — He Saw the Guns at Gettysburg. [ARTICLE]

He Saw the Guns at Gettysburg.

Portland,Me., Telegram. During the National Encampment in Boston an old comrade with silvery hair was led into the. cycloramd, of Gettysburg by a bright-faced little miss. The old man sat down, while the Child described to him the features of the picture. Occasionally he asked her a question, and slowly shook his ihead as if in doubt of tho accuracy of her account. She had described to 'him, in her own way, the on-rush of picket men and the hand-to-hand conflict at the stone wall, where the jMalne veterans met the charge of the [Southerners, when ho asked: • ‘But [whore’s the artillery, May?”. .' ‘‘Oh, you mean the big guns? i They’re over there on the hill, in a row.” “All in a row?” he asked. - “Yes,” she replied, He shook his hoad. * ‘Look around, ” said he, “There must be some more that are in dine. “Yes,” she said, “there are some more down here, but they are upset; I guess they’re busted." • 'ls that where the men are coming over the wall?” “Yes, grandpa.” “Is there a grove of trees?” “Yes, it seems to be full of men, but the smoke is so thick you cant see them.” “Oh, I see them,” he cried. It was then noticed by several[| comrades who were standing near him that he was blind, The little girl replied, “On. no, grandpa, you cant see them “Yes, I can," cried the old Boldler; “I can see the men, the grove and the broken cannon lying about” The child looked at him in innocent surprise arid said: “You are joking, grandpa.” “No. my dear, "replied the old man. “No. That was the last thing I ever saw on earth. There was a caisson exploded there just this side of the stone wall, and that was the last terrible picture 1 ever saw, for it was then that I lost my eyesight, &t}d I have never got the picture out of my mind.”