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FROM POTOMAC TO SUSQUEHANNA. 'N May, 1863, the cavalry brigade of General A. G. Jenkins was transferred from the Greenbriar region of Western Virginia to the Shenandoah Valley, and formed the advance of General Ewell's corps in the Pennsylvania campaign.

I was, at that time, a private in Company C, Seventeenth Virginia cavalry regiment. After the return of our brigade to Hagerstown from the raid on Chambersburg, our regiment, commanded by Colonel Wm. H. French, reported to General Early at Shepherdstown, and acted under his orders and with his division from the Potomac to the Susquehanna and back to the bloody contest at Gettysburg.

JAS. H. HODAM.

Our route was by the way of Waynesboro, Greenville, Gettysburg, and York, to Wrightsville, some seventy-five miles from Philadelphia, if I remember correctly.

them. We dismounted in the yard of a substantial farm building, and found no one about but three or four women, who seemed perplexed and frightened at our early visit. We were informed that the men had fled east with their most valuable property, and at first they denied that any one was concealed on the premises; but learning that we intended no personal harm, and that our purpose was to search the house, they reluctantly told how, a few minutes previously, five persons, worn out with fatigue and hunger, had sought refuge with them and were now concealed in the upper part of the house.

With revolvers in hand, we cautiously ascended two flights of stairs to the dark garret, expecting every moment to encounter an armed foe. As we reached the floor, an Irish comrade put his foot into a crock of apple-butter sitting near the stairway; the noise and vigorous oath occasioned thereby were echoed by a wail of fear and distress from the darkest corner of the room, where, in a kneeling posture, instead of armed Yankees, we beheld four men and a

woman, who proved, as our Irishman remarked, to be nobody but "dirthy nagurs, black as the ace of sphades.' On informing them that we were looking for armed men instead of such defenceless creatures, their fear was turned to joy and thanks. They were free negroes from Maryland, and had been told that if caught by the "rebels," they would be killed or taken South as slaves. They had been fleeing from the supposed wrath to come for three days without food or rest. Assuring them of safety from molestation by our people, we left them devouring with ravenous haste the food we divided with them. The women were much surprised when we returned down stairs without killing or making prisoners of the miserable fugitives. They gave us an excellent breakfast, and we departed, leaving the impression with them that the Southern soldiers were not all barbarians.

General Early tarried long enough at Greenville to destroy the iron works in which it was understood the great Pennsylvania commoner, Thaddeus Stevens, had an interest. About that time, we were anxious to give Mr. Stevens a free

ride to Richmond to offset his losses at Greenville.

The country through which we passed toward Gettysburg seemed to abound chiefly in Dutch women who could not speak English, sweet cherries, and apple-butter. As we marched along, the women and children would stand at the front gate with large loaves of bread and a crock of apple-butter, and effectually prevent an entrance of the premises by the gray invaders.

As I said before, the women could not talk much with us, but they knew how to provide "cut and smear," as the boys called it, in abundance.

The cherry crop was immense through this part of the State, and the great trees often overhung the highway laden with ripened fruit. The infantry would break off great branches and devour the cherries as they marched along. Regiments thus equipped reminded me of the scene in Macbeth, where "Birnam's wood do come to Dunsinane.'

Near Gettysburg, we captured the camp and equipage of a force of Pennsylvania militia, and after an exciting chase of several miles our regiment succeeded in picking up over 300 of the "band-box boys," as we called them. But few shots were fired by either side, but the yelling on our side would have done credit to a band of Comanche Indians. The main body of the flee

ing enemy kept together in the highway, but many, as they became exhausted, sought refuge in the fields, orchards, and farm buildings by the way, and many laughable incidents occurred as we gathered them in. Six were found hid among the branches of a large apple-tree. One portly lieutenant, in attempting to crawl under a corncrib, had stuck fast by the head and shoulders leaving the rest of his person exposed. Comrades Charlie Hyson and Morgan Feather had hard work to drag him out by the heels. But the most fun came when we dragged from a family bake-oven a regimental officer, who, in his gold-laced uniform, was covered with soot and ashes. He was a sight to behold.

While returning from escorting a lot of prisoners to the rear, I met a large party of prisoners hurrying by, while a short distance behind them a little drummer boy was trying to keep up. He was bareheaded, wet, and muddy, but still retained his drum.

"Hello, my little Yank, where are you going?" I said. "Oh, I am a prisoner, and am going to Richmond," he replied.

"Look here," I said, "you are too little to be a prisoner; so pitch the drum into that fence-corner, throw off your coat, get behind those bushes, and go home as fast as you can."

"Mister, don't you want me for a prisoner?" "No."

"Can I go where I please?"

"Yes."

"Then you bet I am going home to mother! '' Saying this as he threw his drum one way and his coat another, he disappeared behind a fence and some bushes, and I sincerely hope he reached home and mother.

At Gettysburg, Company C, commanded by Captain Waldo, reported to General John B. Gordon, and we acted in the advance of the Georgians, and "Extra Billy" Smith's Virginia brigade on York and Wrightsville. After a longing look at the blue-coated sentinels on the Columbian shore of the Susquehanna, we rejoined General Early and our regiment. I shall not attempt a general description of the battle of Gettysburg. Thirty years have obliterated from my mind much of the topographical surroundings of the place, and many of the scenes and incidents dimly present themselves dreams of the long ago, rather than of actual experience.

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Toward noon on that memorable first of July, the 17th Virginia cavalry reached the vicinity of Gettysburg, from the direction of York, closely followed by the division of General of General Early.

Heavy firing of artillery and musketry had been heard for some time in the direction of the town, and we realized that hot work was before us. Our regiment was halted near a strip of woods that intervened between us and the battlefield, while the infantry brigades and artillery hurried to the front and disappeared in the timber.

Infantry of those days generally held the cavalry service in light esteem, and as we sat on our horses by the roadside, we were the subjects of many good-natured remarks and much badinage from those gallant fellows who, with quick step, were marching into the jaws of death. As Gordon's and Smith's brigades passed, a hearty cheer was given as we recognized our comrades in the march to the Susquehanna.

During the time the infantry was passing to the front, the noise of the battle was increasing on our right, and in a short time shells from the enemy were screaming over our heads, tearing through the tree-tops, and plowing up the ground in our vicinity. For nearly two hours we remained here under fire, waiting for orders, and all old soldiers will acquiesce in the fact that our position was not a desirable one. Much rather

would we have preferred a call to the front, where we could have returned the fire and participated in the excitement of battle. The firing in our front was terrible. No such sound of musketry ever greeted my ears before-and scarcely ever afterward, except at the battle of Five Forks. Soon the "rebel yell" could be distinguished in the mighty roar, and conveyed

to us the gratifying intelligence that our boys were getting the best of the fight, and a signal officer of a station near by soon verified the fact that the enemy was retreating from every position. Then the welcome order came for us to quickly advance to the front.

"By fours, march!" was the sharp command of Major Smith, and we spurred our horses along the road for Gettysburg. Through the timber, across a small stream, and the battle-field was before us in all its horrors and excitement. In our front were open fields and orchards, and, a little further on, the town. Many pieces of artillery occupied the high ground to our right, but their thunder was silenced now, while the heaps of dead and dying around them told how the boys in blue had bravely stood by their guns. A little beyond, to judge from the windrows of dead, a Union regiment had been blotted out. Along the road the blue and gray veterans lay thickly. On a large pile of fence-rails by the roadside, several of the Federal and Confederate soldiers grimly faced each other in death, with their muskets interlocked. Dashing forward, we came up with our infantry, driving Howard's corps through the town. Confusion seemed to reign in the Federal ranks, and thousands were made prisoners in a short time. The enemy opened a heavy fire on us from their batteries on the hills to the south of town. Our lines were re-formed, skirmishers advanced beyond the town to the south and east, while our regiment engaged in gathering up the prisoners. It was now about four o'clock, and the enemy's fire ceased for a short time, and but little of their line was visible to us. My captain sent me forward to our skirmish line to locate the battery that so fiercely shelled us. While returning, the enemy began a brisk fire from several guns; a shell exploded just in front of me, and just over a woman as she ran across the street. She disappeared in a cellar, unhurt. Then came a blinding flash in my face, and the next thing I realized was being carried to the sidewalk by three or four infantrymen. My horse had been killed by a piece of shell, but I escaped with a few bruises and a general shak

ing-up. I was ready for duty the next day. Our regiment guarded the prisoners the following days of the battle. During those days I had many sociable talks with our prisoners, many of whom belonged to the 11th corps, which had suffered so severely a short time before at the hands of Stonewall Jackson. I still cherish as a valuable memento a canteen I traded for with a Pennsylvania Bucktail.

JAS. H. HODAM.

THE NEW YORK MON

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UMENT.

HIS is the thirtieth anniversary of the battle of Gettysburg, and on the first three days of July this year 10,000 battlescarred and weather-beaten defenders of the Stars and Stripes will tread the grounds in peace and safety that they trod 'mid falling shot and bursting shell thirty years ago.

The occasion that brings them together is the unveiling of a monument commemorative of the deeds of those men who died for their country. It is to give to the world evidences of their love for their comrades, and honor in their Heeds. A generous State has made it possible that her people should thus honor her fallen heroes.

New York, the Empire State, will give to the world assurances that her sons' deeds are not forgotten, and

that republics are not ungrateful where the endeavor is for right. From one of the historic hills of Gettysburg a handsome monument has risen ninety-two feet in the air. It is the result of many years' labor by General Daniel E. Sickles. The monument cost $62,000; but the amount of thought and work which it cost its promoters can hardly be estimated.

Peculiar circumstances were connected with this monument. Ninety-eight organizations from New York took part in that memorable battle, and almost as many organizations wished to honor their members. In 1887, a bill passed the New York Legislature creating a New York State Board of Gettysburg Commissioners. General Daniel E. Sickles was made Chairman,

of a girl sixteen feet nine inches in height, holding a wreath of laurel in her hand outstretched over New York's unknown dead. The figure is a superb execution, and adds a grand appearance to the monument. The base is twenty-seven feet in height and built of Hallowell granite, with a polished shaft.

On the plinth is a bronze trophy, with a New York State eagle over the State's escutcheon, and on the base, in bold relief, stand out the words "New York." Along the upper line of the base are the badges of the First, Second, Third, Fifth, Sixth, Eleventh, Twelfth, Cavalry, Engineer and Signal Corps, and the artillery which took part in the fight.

Around the base of the shaft in alto relievo is a bronze circular divided in four panels. The first represents General Sickles immediately after he has been shot; he is removed from his horse and leaning on the shoulder of General Joseph B. Carr. Besides General Carr, in this group are also General S. K. Zook, who was killed on the second day, the day General Sickles was wounded; General S. H. Weed, a native New Yorker, who was killed on the third day; General C. K. Graham, one of the Third Corps commanders; General R. B. Ayres, General J. H. Hobart Ward, and General Henry E. Tremaine, member of General Sickles' staff, and the first one to reach him after he was shot.

Greene, whose magnificent generalship preserved the Union Army on the first night. General Greene is the oldest living graduate of West Point. Besides General Greene, there are represented General James S. Wadsworth, who was killed at the battle of the Wilderness, in May, 1864; General David A. Russell, who was killed at the battle of Winchester, October 19, 1864; Brigadier-General Henry J. Hunt, Chief of Artillery on General Meade's staff'; General Alfred Pleasanton, Chief of Cavalry of the Army of the Potomac; General Henry A. Barnum, General Joseph J. Bartlett, and General Alexander Shaler.

The right panel represents General John F. Reynolds' death. Over him are leaning General Abner Doubleday and Major-General John C. Robinson, who lost a leg at Spottsylvania, while around them are grouped General Francis C. Barlow, General A. Von Steinwehr, and Colonel Thomas C. Devin. General Reynolds' sister says that the likeness on the panel is the best she has ever seen of her brother.

Around General Hancock, whose wounding the left panel represents, are grouped General Kilpatrick, General Warren, Chief of Engineers on General Meade's staff, General Butterfield, who was Chief of General Meade's staff, and

On the obverse is a representation of General Henry W. Slocum, of Brooklyn, N. Y., surrounded by a group of general officers. General Slocum was commander of the right wing of the Union Army. On his right is General Geo. S.

General Alexander S. Webb, who commanded the famous Philadelphia brigade which received the full force of General Pickett's charge on July 3d.

As all can see from the illustrations which accompany this article and this brief description,