Delaware State journal and statesman., 1866-05-25
FROM the Hartford cuurant May l2.l
GETTYSBURG MONUMENT
CONTRACT AWARDED To A CITIZEN OF HART
FoRD-THE MONUMENT DEscRIBED


The battle of Gettysburg, the fercest and
bloodiest of the great conflicts which render
ed the war against treason the mightiest of
modern times, was also the most important
of any, as it formed the turning point in the
struggle. II was fought at time when the
loyal heart of the country beat anxiously-
when the bitter cup of defeat had been press
ed to our lips so continuously that the cloud
of Rebellion seemed destined to shut out for
ever the sunlight of an enduring peace.
We all-those who detested treason and
prayed for its overthrow--felt when the guns
of the enemy had crossed the Potomac and
rolled along the roads of Pennsylvania, our
loyal soil, that victory was aiar of, and,
during those anxious days which brought
uncertain reports from the two armies, was
certainly the most trying time in the expert
ence of loyal men. But our brave soldiers
were equal to the demands of the hour, and.
after two days stubborn fighting, Robert E.
Lee turned his heel toward the North, and
Washington and Philadelphia were safe.-
From the result of this battle the leaders of
the Rebellion profted, so that further inva-
sion was not attempted on any extensive
scale, and the people of the North were again
filled with courage and hope which never
again faltered.
The Importance of this battle, together
with its magnitude, render the fields on
which the carnage spread, of exceeding
great interest, and the establishment of
"Tho National Cemetery at Gettysburg "
was, and is, looked upon as wise act
This Cemetery is located on an elevated
spot, and is enclosed with neat, substan-
tial railing, the gateway being inscribed with
tho names of the States represented within
the ground, and surmounted with the Anne
rican eagle, in bronze. Thousands of brave
men from Connecticut, New York, Pennsyl-
vania, Massachusetts, Name, Vermont, New
Hampshire, Rhode Island, Delaware, New
Jersey, Virginia, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana
and Illinois mingle their ashes within this
inclcsure.
The dedication of the cemetery was looked
TO with national interest; and the beautiful
sentiments uttered on the occasion by Abra-
ham Lincoln, who left his Presidential chair
topartlcipate in the ceremonies, will be read
and re-read for long years to come, though
he chose TO say:-"rhe world will little
note, nor long remember, what we say here;
but it can mover forget what they did here. "
Following the dedication, the erection of
suitable monument in furtherance of the
original idea in establishing the cemetery
led to solicitations and plans, and several
were submitted; one by James G. Battersola
ESQ, of this city, and this one was adopted.
The monument is twenty three feet square
at the base, and filly-6ve feet in height. AT
the angles of the base are four buttresses,
each supporting colossal statue in sitting
posture. These statues are allegorical, and
represents respectively War, History, Peace
and Plenty. War is represented by the figure
of an American soldier, who, resting from
the conflict relates TO History the story o,
the battle and the names of the honored
dead, while History with her stylus and
tablet writes down the imperishable record.
The corresponding statutes symbolic Peace
aad Plenty. Peace is represented by me.
chanic with the implements of his trade
about him. Plenty is typifed by a female
figure with a sheaf OF wheat and plough.