The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-08-20
THE GETTYSBURG REUNION

4
IT is by no means improbable that the pro-
iect for assembling the surviving officers OF the
battle of Gettysburg had its origin In desire
to secure a gigantic gratis advertisement for
the new watering place. But private inter-
ests are often so inextricably mingled with
public affairs that it is impossible to draw
strict line of demarcation, andth programme
arranged for next week, in view of its pecu-
liar character and historic interest, is worthy
of general consideration.
It is announced that large number of the
Union officers have positively promised to be
present The list includes Major-General
Meade, Commander-in-C Chief; General New
ton. General Hancock, General Butterfeld,
General Howard, and many of their leading
military associates 1t is proposed, we be-
Iieve. that the old lines of battle shall be
designated, and that doubtful or disputed
points shall be cleared up, as far as possible,
by consultation between the men who can
give invaluable testimony in regard to the
various details of the eventful three days
fight. Historical Investigators and the Con-
oressional Committee on the Conduct of the
War have already thrown much light on this
fearful struggle, but there are still many
events connected with it which are imper-
fectly understood, and which can only be
fully explained by an addition to the existing
stores of information.
Additional interest is given to the proposed
reunion by the fact that a number of Rebel
officers are also expected to be present, and
to supplement any defect in the recollection
of the Union officers by statement of the
positions and movements of the various Rebel
corps. 1t is even alleged now that Lee, the
Rebel Commander-in-Ch Chief, will make a
second appearance upon the scene of his ter
rible defeat. We notice that some of the
Southern journals are urging him to be pre-
sent, and the Richmond va EHQutrer takes
the ground that he can not only decide autho-
relatively the prevailing differences of OPT
nion in regard to the movement of Rebel
troops, but by fixing their location, ''contri-
butte measure of justice to them, of which
they may otherwise be shorn, and that the
spectacle of the officers of the two armies
meeting on their old battle-ground, for the
purpose already mentioned, ''would do more
to heal the bitterness between the two sec
tions than perhaps any other event that could
possibly occur"
Viewed from this standpoint the proposed
reunion would be an event of immediate ma
tional utility. 1t is gratifying to know thai
the work of pacifcation has already pro
gressed far enough to make it probable tina
the old foes of 1868 will assemble together tc
fight their battles over, theoretically, OF
friendly terms, in 1869, and to hear no explo
sions more formidable than the popping O
champagne bottles on the scene of the terrific
cannonades which swept thousands of human
beings into eternity.
This great change is wrought in six years
after the battle-four years after the termina
ton of the war. 1t looks as if Grants wish
FLet us have peace'-was realized. The i'm
possibility of a peaceful assemblage of the
survivors of Waterloo within a short time
after that battle is indicated by Napoleon,
legacy to the soldier who attempted to assas
sinate Wellington; and the bad feeling en-
gendered by other wars has often been main
tanned for centuries. Here the breach i
healing up with unparalleled rapidity, and tn
Union will soon be as fully restored as if tn
banner of secession had never been raised.