The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-10-15
Second Visit Of General Hancock to the
Famous Battle Field.
Interesting "Reminiscences Of the
Memorable Conflict.
General HanCOCk's Address to the
Citizens Of Gettysburg.
&c. &c. &c.


field Of Gettysburg Mr. J. Batchoder, compiler Of the
elegant drawing of that battle field showing
the conguaon Of the country and the positions of all
the troops engaged Gettysburg collecting facts
and incidents for detailed and correct history Of the
battle. In order to derive this information he has
invited all the surviving commanders, staff officers
and others who possess accurate information con-
corning any part Of the battle to meet him at Get
tysblrg during the month OF October, when oppor
tunties would be afforded to visit the field and
revive recolections OF which they witnessed
and part OF which they were. In accordance
with this invitation Major General Hancock, accom-
panied by Brevet Brigader General w. G. Mitchell,
Inspector General; Lieutenant Colonel II. II. Bingham
Judge Advocate; Lieutenant Colonel W.~P Wilson, Aid
de Camp and Major Finley Anderson Assistant Adutant
General Of his staff together with Brevct Major General
John r. Brooke Colonel Samuel Phelps, Member OF Con-
ges from Maryland and few other gentlemen, left Bal
timore in special tuesday last for Gettysburg
Flags displayed different places along the route,
and people assembled at the railroad stations in the
hope OF catching glimpse Of the General as he
passed
Arriving at Gettysburg in the afternoon the party
conducted by Mr.. Bachelder to the Eagle Hotel
where they had previously engaged accommodations
Here they joined by Mr. f. Lcutze the celebrated
artist, who, it is understood contemplaes painting
picture OF the battle
The General and party remained at Gettysburg three
days, during which time they visited and carefully
examined every part OF the field from the right of the
Union lines, Cnlps Hill to the left, Round Top The
examination made in the order Of the battle CON-
mencng with the first days tight ut the spot where the
first gun was tired The party passed along the lines
where the First Eleventh and Twelfth corps
fought bravey against tho rapidly concentrating
columns OF the enemy, pausng moment at
|
the spot where the lustrous Reynolds yielded up his
valuable life, and that where the brave Barlow left
for dead upon the field They then followed the course
Of troops they had passed through the town and
up Cemetery Ill., where Hancock having been sent In
advance OF his corps TO take command after the re
firing troops arrived the evening OF the frat day and
those admirable dispositions Of artillery and in.
san,sy Cups ard Cemetery Hills which made the
right OF the Union lines perfectly against the
sauis and strategic movements OF the enemy. Thence
they raised along the line defended by the Second corps
over. the advanced position which sicklcs tried to
hold and afterwards the Sixth Fifth corps
lines, passing through the DEVILS Glen and ascending
the rocky slopes Of Round Top.
The OF the whole attic field which obtained
from any OF those prominent points really magnf
| cent The extensive amphithcatre where death bad
danced for three successive days divided into
e,ds Of grain and meadow, with here and there grove
gorgeous
foliage Of autumn or these two little groves were Of
special interest TO the party present One thai where
the grand assault of the enemy headed by the rebel
General Armiscad troops Of the Second corps
| who put the enemy to fight This the arthcst
| point the enemy had reached during all the battle
| II where the rebel General Armistcad,
MORALLY wounded at the head Of his men, repcned OF
the injustice he had done his country, and few
menis after he had f,llen-being then within our lines
requested OF General Hancocks stan officers to tell
the General that 10 Armistcad) had done General Han.
cock who had served with him IN Mexico, and the
try great wrong and begged forgiveness with his dying
breath The other the place where the staff officer
coming with the message General Hancock found him
lying wounded the field just at the moment when
victory complete,
II noticed that several Of the groves of trees which
adon the valley aud which possess peculiar value with
ference to certain characteristics OF the battle,
being wanonly CIT down by the owners simply for the
wood An association formed preserve the battle Held
possible at the time OF the engage.
mcnt has already purchased Culps Hin and Round Top
and s negotiating for the intermediate land Visi.
continually making pgrmages TO the battle field
while General Hancock Gettysburg the citizens
OF the town aud many people from the surrounding
country assembled front Of the hotel and, in response
| TO loud calls from them he made few remarks, ex-
pressing the pleasure he felt them ground
halowed by the blood Of thousands OF martyrs to the
great cause the union OF the states That cause, he
said, had been won that question decided and II would
be temery indeed for any people 10 attempt TO
the decision which two hundred thousand vaorous com
batants had in July 1885, TO settle the leld II
proud thing he said, to have fought there, where
FIRST the tide OF rebellion met the rock which caused It
10 recede, and IL proud claim TO be citizen OF
| Pennsylvania, which furnished so many warriors for
that great fight General Hancock then paid naterng
compliment to Mr. Bachelder who, ne said, knew
OF the details of the movements Of the troops both
sides than any other person In conclusion he said this
his second visit to Gettysburg The first was amid
the clash Of arms but be II after the ravages
| Of war had been efhced and the smiling fields were
surrounded by frame colored with autumnal t,nts.
The General and party returned delighted with their
| visit