The Star of Gettysburg - A Story of Southern High Tide by Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander) Altsheler
page 312 of 362 (86%)
page 312 of 362 (86%)
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welcomed as purchasers or in any other capacity."
"You take a safe risk, George," said Harry. "Tales that we are terrible persons, who rejoice most in arson and murder, evidently have been spread pretty thoroughly through this region." "Both sections scatter such stories. I suppose it's done in every war. It's only human nature." "All right, Mr. Pedantic Philosopher. Maybe you're telling the truth. But look, I don't think we're going into Gettysburg in such a great hurry! Yankee soldiers are there before us!" Other Southern officers had noted the blue uniforms and the flash of rifle barrels and bayonets in Gettysburg. As they used their glasses, the town came much nearer and the Union forces around it increased. Buford, coming up the night before, had surmised that a Southern force would advance on Gettysburg, and he had chosen the place for a battle. He had with him four thousand two hundred mounted men, and he posted them in the strong positions that were so numerous. He had waited there all night, and already his scouts had informed him that Pettigrew and Heth were advancing. "Are we to lose our shoes?" whispered Harry. "I don't think so," replied Dalton in an undertone. "We're in strong force, and I don't see any signs that our generals intend to turn back. Harry, your glasses are much stronger than mine. What do you see?" "I see a lot. The Yankees must be four or five thousand, and they are |
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