Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1865-06-14
DEDICATION OF MONUMENTS ON THE
BULL RUN BATTLE-FIEL0S.


BULL RUN BATTL E-FIELOS-
From the Nationsl Intelligencer.
At 6 O'Clock, A. NJ, on Sunday, an excursion
train started from the depot on Maryland ave-
nuc, with number of ladies and gentlemen, for
the nearest station to these memorable fields.
The party contained a large proportion of Off
GERS. many Of whom were of high rank and dis
tinction. Among these we noticed Major Gene
rails Wilcox, Heintzelman, Parke, Slough, heigs
and Benham. Professor Henry, Judge olin, Gen.
eral Fainswolth, and ]. n. BrOdhead, Second
Comptroller Of the Treasury, also Joined the COM
pany.
The day was most propitious, the arrange
ments complete, and the occasion most interest
ing, and all felt that they had beea especially IA
vOred by every combination OF circumstances
connected with the trip.
denees Of the various conflicts that have occur
red in almost every valley and on almost every
hillside attracted the attention Of numbers OF tee
exeurSionsts, who had never before teen the
sible landmarks OF war.
The felds-mere cOmmons-werO luxuriRnt
with grass; bare chimneys were standing in
charming little groves, where once was the
abode OF peace, plenty and refnemenS scattered
here and there were the remains Of camps 1.-THE
little log huls, now totlering and almos; ready
20 ialD and st long intervals limited ielis were
euclose with q rude fence and put under cult
ya'iOn.
An occasional face protru ded from some half
open door or from psneless window, gazing in
mute surprise at 50 large company OF Yankee
citizens
A short ride brought US TO Fairfax Station,
Nhere General Gamble had provided ambulances
and army wagons, shaded by eyergreens, in
abundance for al who desired TO 90 forward
His Chief Quartermaster put the train on the
military corduroy in line style aud most exl edi-
tiOusiy, and the cayalcade made grand appear
ance as itwCund around and over the hills Of this
delightful section OF Virginia.
Fairfax Court House is passed; and at ten,
lust as the sun had dispelled the morning clouds
that had so persistently and refreshingly shaded
US, we asceLded the heights Of Centreyil.e, and
before US lay outstgetched the plains of AanaE
sas, all glori Us 10 vernal robes, and so peaceful
that II seemed the very breath OF Heaven was
not Lifting the tenderest flowers OF the held, and
beyond the deep blue mist upon The mountains
only bounded the horizon at distance Of hun.
dred mics. Before Loon we had crossed the
stone bridge and stood uncovered on the spot
where the nrst great struggle Of the war occur
red.
Here monument of red sandstone had been
erected, under the supervision OF Lieut.. Mccall
lam, on which was the simple superscripuOn:
To the Memory Of the Heroes who fell IN the
Defence OF their country, July 81, 1861.
The dedicatOry exercises consisted OF the read
ing of most touching and appropriate service
By KeV. Dr. acGregor, the singing of hymn
written for the occasion by PeirPoinL and mil
itary parade Of the 9th Pennsylvania Heavy Ar
tillsry, Col Gallup and the 10th Massachusetts,
Battery, Capt Scott accompanied by the firing
Of cannon.
AT the close of these impressive ceremonies,
Judge Olin, having been called upon to speak,
responded as 1. lows:
I. ~ ow C,rIzESs AND SOLDIERS OF THE Union
ARMY.-In connection with the simple and sub
lime ceremony of defeating this monument TO
tho ewhO ie on this beautiful plain, do not feel
that il is my place TO SPEAK. | am IN the pres.
ence Of many who took up arms IN their coun'
TVS cause aud here met the foe IN mortal com.
bat, and prefer that they should do tae speak
ing, -. ...-.-u
fcatiun Of the AmCricaB character. This spot
will often be visited, and the day long remem.
beitd. Here was tbs first struggle TO restore the
Union; and you took up arms reluctantly, but
you took them up - vindieate the principles Of
Tree government
In the dark days that followed the battle that
was fOug 1t on this field many thought that the
cause was lost, but how gloriously you have
finally sustained those principles the world to.
day attests."
Gen. Wilcox was then called to the stand. He
looked for POSTS and statesmen TO Ill the place
he was called 10 occupy. Under this monument
an should meet like brothers, not to think OF
causes or crimes; he would extend the right
hand ~ ALL let the hand Of justice fall on those
wno had teluded the people. We are a comm N
brotherhood; those who Tell are coDsecrated in
al hearts as the country will prove by honoriog
and supporting their widows and Orphans.
zen. aeiutzelmau was called, amid vOeilerous
cheers by the soldiers. He said his profession
was a soldier, not a speaker. He gave q short
narrative Of the first Bull Run battle, and closed
by saying be was in favor OF justice first, and |
mercy afterwards
General FarnSWorth next addressed the audi
ence saying be was proud 70 be called upon, and
was glad to be where the dove OF peace had taken
up her dwelling In the temple OF Mars. Unborn
generations sNouli make piOus pilgrimAges TO
these graves OF their fOrefatherS Providence had
been directing our Affairs thu. root and branch,
This cause Of quarrels should be plucked OUT
HotWithEtanding al our cost OF blood and trea'
sure we shall Be stronger and better for II ia the
future.
AT a second monument AZ GroVston, erected In
memory Of those who fell in the battles Of the
18th 29th and 3Qth days OF June, 1862, dediestoTS
services similar 10 character 70 those already de-
scribed were performed,