ROBERT KENDERDINE. 333 



utmost. The enemy was working around to the Emmettsburg 

 road and were flanking the left of the line at the peach orchard. 

 Snyder saw one of Barksdale's Mississippians, known by their 

 broad felt hats, taking aim at him from the corner of the barn, 

 for the little band around the flag was so thinned and scattered 

 that preferences could be distinguished. The rebel fired, and 

 Robert fell mortally wounded. Snyder fired at the Missis- 

 sippian at once, but missed him ; a comrade drew on him with 

 better luck, for the rebel fell apparently dead. All was con- 

 fusion now. The enemy was swarming around the house and 

 in front of the Zouaves ; two of their cannons were run into 

 the road and Avere raking our troops with an enfilading fire, 

 and the last of them were retreating. Robert, who was left 

 lying in the road close by where the monument now is, called 

 to one of his comrades, but he had gone. Sergeant Snyder 

 answered for him, and bidding him good-bye retreated with the 

 rest. This was about 6 o'clock. 



Until the morning of the 4th the enemy held this ground, 

 so that there was no chance for the Federals to aid their 

 wounded until then. The latter were taken to the field 

 hospital on Rock Creek, east of Round Top ; Robert among the 

 rest. His wound was necessarily mortal. We were fortunate 

 in meeting a comrade, James H. Priest, who was with him to 

 the last, and did all he could to make him comfortable. His 

 father, after making two attempts, at last reached Gettysburg 

 early on the morning of the 10th. After much difficulty, he 

 found him in a tent with a number of wounded. Robert 

 recognized him for the moment, but soon wandered off* in the 

 delirium which had clouded tis mind since his arrival from 

 the battle-field. It had been thought by his friends that had 

 proper care been taken of him he might have lived, but the 

 best of care could not have saved him. He died on the 10th 

 of July. 



His mission was accomplished. He had offered his life to 



