The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-07-06

VI gratitude TOWARDS Geneia utaoo
ed participated conspicuousy in the battle came M for
snare OF this honest fame and no did General Cawiod
VINO assisted In the defence oil hound Top.
GENERAL DOUBLEDAY.
On the other side of the town at the same time quite
demonstration made in honor OF General Doubleday,
to vociferous cries addressed the assembage as fol-
lows ff
for the beautiful music. did not, however, expect
be called upon to address you and only desire to say
few words relation TO the First corps to which be-
longed These men felt that the fate OF the United
States was be decided then and there They opened
tho battle the LIST of July with determination have
never seen equalled II sufficient for them TO know
that General Reynolds had selected the position and
they resolved TO leave IL long 1t tenable
As they took their places low mumur passed down the
TO fall but how many others there are who kept this
implied pledge and still remain upon tho We fell
Of the three corps Of the rebel army. The contest
lasted from ten in the morning until four in the
afternoon, and the oayonst was freely used It was
masses Of the enemy-not until line upon line
Of fresh troops pressed upon our weak and
weary centre, not until two thirds of the men were
killed. wounded captured that turned our faces to
retire. After another sharp engagement at the Semi
nary In which the enemy's advance was temporarily
broken up and dispersed troops rereated through
the town and formed Cemetery Hill for another strg
ge. Their resistance had been determined that no
day BY the desperate tenacty with which they held on
to the ridges west Of the town they gained this position
ltSe lower OF Sreugtn HAD they failed do their
duty the battle would have boen fought elsewhere under
the most discouragng circumstances In my opinion
Lees army would have pursued and penetrated between
the corps Of the Army Of the Potomac We were more
than glad that Hancock arrived at this juncture for we
admired his genius and looked upon his presence as an
of reinforcements and victory to come am in
deed proud to have had the honor OF Command
ing the First corps that memorable LIST Of July two
years ago. large portion Of my old division there
thing in the Army OF the Potomac could surpass that
old First corps They need no eulogy from me- They
have written their record with the points OF their
swords all that battle SCARED land Of Virginia Thoy
have written it here too in letters that be
eiaced forgotten Few OF number but stern OF pur
pose they stood between their country and unmagina
bio disasters An awful thunder storm brooded the
republic and the nation held It's breath with dread. bus
these men fatered and doubted the result
Their efforts did much to roll back the tide of treason
and save Washington, Baltimore and the whole North
from ruin and spoiation For long time i seemed I'm
could be published and newer battle fields and
crossing events stood between them and the public The
will do Justice to their vaor their devotion and may
add their success; for without the first days battle where
would the Others have been In speaking Of the com
that the services Of command ended there At the
close OF the second day. after their losses had been made
good by the arrival OF the Vermont brigade they rcook
six guns from the enemy, and the third day they
formed upon the right flank Of Pcketts rebel division in
his great charge upon lines, stopped his further
advance and captured large portion Of his force I
congratulate you upon the glorious result Of the
congratulate you that that dear old agthe flag Of
breadth Of our land. am happy to have joined in your
celebration here for look upon this sacred spot
through all time at this great shrine OF American liberty
thank you once more for your kindness and attention.
and bid you farewell.
of the town where the liberty pole stands the popular
enthusiasm made itself manifest in variety Of ways,
rockets did their share, and hundred boys having
high old tme did theirs All around this open space
sell Lemonade and these, lighted by flaming torches that
hared in the breeze contributed their picturesque effect
Tho Diamond was also very naturally the resort Of al
the visitors who didn't exactly know where else to CO.
Despite the arrangements that had been made for the
accommodation Of visitors, there not enough
and through the whole night there were numbers OF
persons hunting the town over in search Of sleeping
quarters.
Added to this large number kept coming in all night
and many, il they slept at ALL did lying around very
loosely Toward daylight wagon loads Of country people
thrOnged in by every road and at daylight artillery woke
up somewhat sleepcss town by salute Of one hundred
guns.
From that time forward the town was in a busy hum
and murmur Of expectation.
At nine A. N. the streets Of the town were crowded
with little country girls dressed In white, and robust coun
try women, dressed In all the sombe shades, waiting
patiently the procession and sezing every posi-
Bile point Of shelter from the almost tord heat Of the
SUM- They grouped themselves under the trees and on
q e. Ssa
outside Up and down these crowded sidewalks the latest
of breakfast and similar comforts Breakfast could BE-
had many places II consisted of square inch Of very
hard ham, square yard Of bread garnsh Of sweetmeats
and cup Of damaged water called by turns tee or cof
fee
THE MONEY CHANGERS IN THE TEMPLE.
Near the Cemetery ground, on the road, there was
quite a rag fair of booths Dlapidated wagons were
backed up the road and offered bottles Of spruce beer
little boards wero placed barrels and held pink lemon
ade; there was grand array Of gingerbread, with
miniature copy Of tho Stars and Stripes stuck into each
piece One merchants establishment encroached on
their feet in The fancy mixtures and stained their eah
ers with the Juice Of cherry pie certain lusty do
scendant Of Autolycus announced from the commanding
height Of his pedders wain that he had necessary and
ornamental articles for SALE dry goods jewey and hard
ware silver rings for gentlemen and gold rings for ladies'
Ing this exsemporzed mart ihs next thing was the iron
rail and handsome gate of the National Cemetery.
POSITION OF THE CEMETERY.
The National Cemetery extends along the northwest
face Of the Cemetery hione end Of It touching the
Baltimore turnpike and the other reaching little dis
tance along the Taneytown road quite down the west
There are two hundred and eighty feet on the Bat
more turnpike well furnished with iron rail and
effective gate Just inside the gate there is small gate
entrance will doubt be technically designated the
'front.' Is not front proper but extremity OF the
ground the whole space being practically narrow strip
extending from the Baltimore road around and the
slope Of the hill The stone wall by which part Of the
First corps reformed the night Of the first day battle
was originally included In this space.
1t was at one time questioned whether this was the
most proper point for the National Cemetery. Some OF
the members Of the Association in favor Of that
part Of Cemetery Hill which lies east Of the Baltimore
turnpike that being the very crest Of the HILL the point
from which Howard and directed the FIRST day bat
tie, and the scene Of desperate struggle at nghtall
the second day. But one Of the townsmen phrased
IT, there was ia little contention" this point Get.
ysbug disputed with the nation for the possession Of that
ground, and prevailed The land was bought for the
local Gettysburg Cemetery and the soil that might have
contained the nations heroes will hold only Gettys
burgers, some very amiabe, accomplished and hospa-
BILE ladies' and gentlemen learned Doors and great
many thrifty pcddlcrs Of battle field relics The land
that Ewell could not take from heroes taken
from them by the sharp traders Of the neighborng town.
There Is proverb about dead lions that will apply here.
But whoever looks at the strict point proprety will not
regret that the land In question lost TO those dead
heroes who never lost II while alive The spot actually
chosen Ia the part Of tho hill against which the heaviest
Of the artillery fire Of the enemy directed for two
days, and was probably hit in that time by flying
shot and shell than any other single spot the surface
of tho earth ever has been. II commando Also larger
general view Of the battle ground than any other spot
Culps Hill can be seen from Il the right; 10 the
front Seminary RIDGE the Of the opening Of the
battle visible and away 10 the left lies the whole scont
Of the sanguinay assaults mot by sickles Sykes Sedg
| wick. Hancock Hawaii al and nv