Memorable Vision of Gettysburg [1907]

Some years ago an old man with silvery hair was led into the cyclorama of Gettysburg by a bright -faced little girl. Aged and feeble, he sat down, while the child described to him the features of the picture.

Occasionally he asked her a question as in doubt of the accuracy of her account. She had described the charge of the Confederate columns and the struggle at the stone wall, when he asked; " But where's the artillery, May"?

"Do you mean the big guns? They're over there on the hill in a row". " All in a row"? he asked. " Yes," she said," there are some more down here, but they are all upset. I think they are bursted". " Is that where the men are coming over the hill?"  " Yes, grandpa". " Is there a grove of  trees ?" " Yes, it seems to be full of men, but the smoke is so thick you cannot see them ". " O, I see them, " he cried. It was then noticed by some of the party near him that he was blind. The little girl answered " O, no, grandpa, you can't see them ."  " Yes, I can," said the old soldier. " I can see the men, the grove and the broken cannon lying about ". The child looked at him in innocent surprise and said " You are joking, grandpa". " No, my dear ", answered the old man. " No, that was the last thing I ever saw. There was a caisson exploded there just this side of the stone wall and that was the last terrible picture I ever saw, for it was then that I lost my eyesight, and I have never got the picture out of my mind."