The evening Argus., 1867-09-18
ANTIETAM.

The dedication of the national cemetery,
on the battle ground of Antietam, took
place yesterday (the l7th), it being the an.
niversary of the adoption of the constitution
of the United States. as we'll as the anniver-
sary of the battle which took place on the
18th of September, 1862. The ceremonies
were conducted by the military and by the
masons, Governor Swami, of Maryland, pre-.
siding. President Johnson was present and
made an address. The corner stone was
laid by the Grand Master of the Grand
Lodge of Masons, of Maryland. The ora
ton was delivered by Ex-Governor Bradford
of Maryland, who after referring to the dis
tinguished persons present, stated that, in
response to vote of thanks of Maryland to
the army for protecting the state from rebels,
the commander of that army committed the
remains of those who fell to the care of the
state. The details of the action by Mary
land in the matter were given by the orator
The number engaged on the field of Antie-
tam, on the Union side, was 7,l64, while
the rebel force was estimated at $1,000
The previous campaigns of the army were
referred to and the anxiety of the public
mind depicted. The disasters to the army
under Pope its shattered condition; its re-
organization by Mcclellan, and the victory
| won over the confident hosts of rebellion by
| that reorganized army, were dwet on at
| great length, with many corelative facts and
circumstances. He concluded by invoking
| adherence to the constitution, and said:
"Come the peril to it whence it may, from
| state rights consolidation, let me, on the ami
| versary of its adoption, in the name of the men
who made it, by the memory of the men who
| died for it, this spot, where blood has been so
profusely shed in its behalf, appeal to you to
preserve protect and defend it,
The poem was next delivered
Remarks followed from President johnson
| and others, after which the services closed
with the benedction, and the President and
party were escorted to the station.
| Salutes were fired at sunrise, during the
| procession and at the close. Everything
| passed off well.
| Of course our readers have not forgotten
that this great battle, fought by Mcclellan
was regarded as the turning point in putting
down the rebellion. Nor have they forgot
| ten that radical meanness and partizan hat
had induced Lincoln and Stanton to recall
few days before, Mcclellan and his arm,
from Virginia, and placed Pope in com
mand. Nor have they forgotten how tina
Army of the Potomac, deprived of its leader
was, by the rebels, driven back on Washing
ton, in great disorder and how the who'll
country besought the radical conspirators a
| Washington to restore Mcclellan to com
mand. Nor have they forgotten how he, o.
taking command, restored order and discir
line, fought the confident and victorious ret
ell army, which outnumbered him, achieve,
great victory, and drove them from Mary
land-and how, while he was pursuing tn
flying rebels through Virginia, radical hat
again insulted him and displaced him from
command ; and how, under the disastrou
leadership of Hooker and Burnside, defea
and humiliation to the Union army followed
We have no doubt that Gov. Bradford ha
done justice to all these points, and iustic
to that great soldier and and pure patriot
George B. Mcclellan. When we get col
rect copy of the Grafton, we may give ou
readers some extracts from it.