Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1863-12-05
The Union Soldiers. Cemetery.


having been present on the occasion of the
dedication Of the great Union Soldiers
Cemetery. at Gettysburg.
ave have just witnessed the imposing
ceremony of cons ecrating the great Union
Soldiers Cemetery, at G ettysburg. We
would that we could catch the inspiration
Of the hour, and do the occasion Justice,
but, as the attempt is made, we feel deeply
impressed with sense Of the poverty Of
this pen, when called to the task.
The deep toned solemnity of this nation.
al sepulchre caunot be transferred to the
mind, except through tn e eyes and heart,
each taking part in the pageant and the
sorrow that fills up the ceremonial chapter.
Never have we seen the like, and never do
we expect to see it again, while tabernacle.
ing in the flesh, to be brought TO so lively
and widespread appreciation of the intimate
relations that exist between the living and
the dead, as during the obsequies in honor
of the brave members of the great Union
amy.
There on Cemetery Hill, where but
few months before the din of battle ragged
fercely, and the ruthless hordes of rebel.
lion were ignominously driven back from
the soil they were desecrating with their
presence, o vast concourse of free men and
free women had assembled to pay homage
to the deeds of heroism which has hallowed
the memory of those who fell in the con.
test, while defending their nations flag and
their nations integrity. The battlefield
upon which hung suspended in the balance
for days nations existence, was spread
out before US. Almost in the very spot
where this vast multitude stood, with sor.
rowing hearts, Howard stod with the 1lth
corps, and Doubleday with the lst corps,
resisting the desperate charges Of merci,
less foe.
But short distance in the rear was To-
Gated Meade's headquarters, where raiued
iron hail with deadly effect. On the right
was Slocum with his gallant 18th, and on
the left, extending southwark on the circle
Of the elevated ground. we're Hancock
Sedgwick, Sickles and Sykes with I'd, 5th
and 9th corps, each vieing with the other
10 their efforts to win the day. Away in
the distance, perhaps mile and half
across the plain to the northwest, on an ell
ovation, is seminary building, and in the
rear of that, some half mile further the
intrepid Reynolds with the lst, aided by
the III h corps, under Howard, on the first
Of July y-and really the first days fight in
this great battle-Stood like Spartans, re
sisting the onward progress of vastly su-
peror force. IL was here that Reynolds
yield up his life, and some of New Yorks
bravcst officers and men fell into the hands
o. the enemy. More directly 10 the North
and almost mile distant, is the Pennsyl
vania College, from the cupola Of which
Lee took his observations and directed the
tide of battle, until he was discovered and
shelled from his hiding place by our arti.
lery. ...s
Thus is spread out in panoramic view,
before this beautiful spot, the field of Get
tysburg, whose thrilling events, deeds of
heroism, and bloody scenes will live in his,
| thought of Gov. Curtin, when, few days
after the battle, he retired from the sorrow
ful scenes in which he had been mingling
until the heart sickened, and stood upon
the brow of Cemetery Hill, overlooking the
sanguiuary field, be conceived the idea Of
dedicatiDg that spot to the honored dust
of the brave men who had fallen in the
terr ible battle. Here shall the noble dead
fnd resting place, where nations graft
tude can be properly bestowed upon their
memory, said he to himself, and from that
that moment his heart, head and hands en-.
listed in the work.
In q few weeks the land, covering sur.
face of fourteen acres, and extending from
the apex Of Cemetery Hill, northward
down its slope, aud forming in its area q
semi,circe, was purchased, and the work
of transferring the dead was commenced
The grounds were laid out so as 10 give 10
the great States of New York and Penu.
sylvania the centre of the point. On the
left of the aisle, extending from the front
center to the circumference, is the portion
allotted PennsIy 30 feet front by l5O
feet deep. On the right of this is New
York's allotment. 800 feet by $50 feet
On the left of Pennsylvania is Massachu
sett's plot, 80 feet; Ohio's, Sc feet, and
Indiana's, 20 feet front, extending as faI
back as New York aud Pennsylvania. Or
the right of New York is Mchigan's plot
As feet, and Names, 36 feet and on the
right and left of these outer States, ART
several lots 100 by $50 feet, for the uufor
gotten unknown. In the rear of this cir
Gle is an aisle of Is feet, upon which front
the alottments of Maryland, Is feet; Nil
nesota, 90 feet; Connecticut, Al feet; Wis
consin. 4S feet; New jersey, 50 feet; Yer
mont 40 feet; New Hampshire, 81 feet
Rhode Island, 90 feet; Delaware, 10 feet
Virginia, is feet; Illinois, Is feet. Thes
States are all divided by walks 10 feet i
width, and extending outward from tn
center.
The center of this beautiful spot is d.
signed for a national monument, and it wa
here that the platform was erected upo
which the President of the United State
sat, presiding over more than 80, 900 of b
fellow citizens, engaged iu the solemn exc
cises of coDsecratng the held as recept
Gle for the dust of the fallen of the bait
of Gettysburg. 1t was here that Edwar
Everett, surrounded by President Lihcol
bis Cabinet, the Governors Of the 10y