Chapter 5 – This poem, “The First Shot” focuses on Lieutenant Marcellus Jones of 8th Illinois Cavalry of Company E. He fired the first shot of the Battle of Gettysburg on July 1st, 1863. In 1886 a memorial was placed at the location where Jones fired the first shot of the battle. Jones was there as the memorial was established. This monument remains on the north side of US Route 30 (Chambersburg Pike or Cashtown Road) at the intersection of Knoxlyn Road.
First Shot Marker, Gettysburg, PA.
Written by Christopher Rudolph © 2015
Chapter 5 – The First Shot – Day 1
It was just after dawn
The rain began to blow
Blurs in the mist
Dark figures row upon row
Lieutenant Marcellus Jones
8th Illinois Cavalry of Company E
One of Buford’s Officers
Vigilant picket sentry
Sees flags unfurled flying
Advancing swirling death
Of General A.P. Hill’s Third Corps
Led by General Heth
He froze for a moment
What seemed like eternity
His carbine aiming
On a fence rail steadily
Cold rain misting vision
Cleared his eyes
Squeezed the trigger
Along with the sunrise
The poem was well said, with truth and fear what Jones saw on that fateful day on july’s fog.