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Show MEADE MEMORIAL 11 : P I1 V jjjs-- . Z. 'S- W -- -t X EARLY IN HURRY TO REJOIN TROOPS Confederate General Left Memento of Fact. A dashing Confederate general, a spirited horse, a hurried departure all are bound up in a relic of the Battle of Gettysburg which has come to light after having been forgotten many years. A rapidly rotting, worm-eaten piece of wood, in which is imbedded a rust-covered rust-covered staple and clasp, attached to which is a short piece of stiff, frayed black leather, bears mute testimony to a stirring bit of war-time drama enacted at Gettysburg while the Confederates Con-federates were In possession of the town back in '63. With the cutting down of a large gnarled maple tree the war-time relic was brought to light and the story told years ago about a gallant and chivalrous Southern officer was once more passed on for the benefit of succeeding suc-ceeding generations. When the maple fell, about four feet from the base of the huge trunk, wood-choppers wood-choppers found the staple imbedded six inches In the fast-decaying wood, and attached to the piece of iron, a piece of leather strap, which extended out beyond the bark about an inch. Older residents of Gettysburg recalled re-called today that years ago the strap was much longer, that it hung down the trunk of the tree for several inches, but that in recent years It had been almost swallowed up as the great maple grew, adding layer and layer to Its trunk. 7lth the discovery of the strap and the staple, the story is retold by persons per-sons who lived In Gettysburg at the time of the Confederate Invasion, of how a famous Southern general, without with-out waiting to unhitch his horse from the tree, drew his sword and with one downward stroke severed the strap by which his steed was tied. General Early is accredited with being be-ing the officer who, In his haste to join his troops, as the tide of battle turned from what apparently was a Confederate Confed-erate victory to an overwhelming defeat, de-feat, cut his horse loose from the tree to take command of his men and if possible turn the tide of battle. It Is recounted how the dashing officer, of-ficer, resplendent in his uniform of gray, literally hurled himself from his headquarters, crossed the pavement In a single stride, leaped to the back of his horse, and with a single stroke of his sword, cut the strap with which he had tied his charger to the maple. In a flash the coal-black animal was away, its nose sniffing a fight that might make Its rider famous. The reverse re-verse proved to be true. The horse and rider went Into what afterward proved the last stand of the Confederate Confed-erate forces. The piece of wood in which the strap and staple were Imbedded Is being be-ing preserved by Charles Wilson, Adams county detective and constable, who occupies a house on the site of General Early's headquarters. |