Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1871-02-21

historic South Mountain, showing its
numerous Expenditures thorough
fares, through which pass the Nation
al Pike and kindred highways, so in
dispensible for the transportation of
soldiers and munitions of war, when
the destiny OF the nation hung trem-
blngly in the balance of fate. Some
twenty-five miles northward are seen
the mountain spurs of Pennsylvania,
with smoky haze still surrounding
Inflated Chambersburg, nesting in
its lovely vale, while corruscations of
unearthly light encircle Gettysburg
| and surroundins country, lending an
indescribable enchantment to the
scene.
Such is the magnificent scenery
surrounding the battle field of Antie-
tam; which in connection with its
own native beauty, and its great vic
tory for human freedom, gives it a
prestige transcending even the battle
fields Of the Revolution. But far
greater than the romantic beauties
and natural. adornings of Antietam,
are the nations love and respect
shown toward the five thousand
heroes, quietly sleeping beneath its
hallowed soil. The grand idea Of
rendering this Aceldama immortal in
its conservation as nations ceme-
terry, belongs to the loyal hearts of
our own Commonwealth. Immedi-
ately after the close of the war, steps
were taken by citizens of Maryland
to inaugurate the plan, which has
been so heartily seconded by nearly
all Northern and Western States of
our national Union. The present
site Of Antetam Cemetery embraces
something over eleven acres of
ground, commanding, as we have
previously observed, a magnificent
view of the surrounding country,
and enclosed with a massive stone
wall, the front of which is adorned
with a wrought iron fence and gate
way, as beautiful in its appearance
as it is enduring in its nature, The
trenches for the reception of the
dead, are six feet in width and three
feet in depth. one-third Of which are
quarried out Of the solid rock which
underlies the cemetery, thus giving,
as far as possible, each soldier lime
stone sarcophagus, more impersha-
bic than the monumental slab mark
ing here aud there soldiers grave.
The plan is 80 arranged that per-
son occupying position in the CEN
tire OF the grounds, by turning his
face towards any point of compass,
can, with good field glass, read the
inscription on every headboard stand
ing therein. The whole is semi
ellipsis, divided into segments of cir
eles, sections and parallelograms, va
rying in size TO correspond with the
| loyal dead from different States rep
resented in the battle each division
being designated by letter, and
each section Of graves numbered with
the most accurate precision. a main
carriage road, l64 feet in width, leads
from the entrance Of the cemetery,
from which diverge IN different d.
rections, subordinate roads and walks,
leading to every part of the grounds.
A neat and commodious lodge house,
costing $4,000, stands near the front
gate, designed for the occupancy of
the sexton. as we'll as for the comfort
and convenience of transient visitors.
A large blank book lies open in the
main room, designed as a general
registry, where each visitor records
his name, place Of residence, and the
day an1 month when the visit was
made. A colossal statue Of an Amer
lean soldier, weighing cighty-six tons,
10 be placed in the cemetery, and
standing in the attitude of guard
over the thousands sleeping, is to be
tho browning glory of this mausole-
um Of the nations dead. September
II, 1862, will long be remembered by
the citizens Of Sharpsburg-a quiet
village Of thousand souls, adjoining
the battle field, whose shattered hab-
itatious, and perforated churches still
bear lamentable tokens of the shot
and shell, which on that day fell pro-
miscuously on friend and foe. In
every direction, and for miles away
from the centre of the battle field,
the traveller Of to-day beholds branch
less trees and shattered fences, many
rail of which is riddled with minnie
balls, as with the aim of Western
marksman. But the saddest sight in
all this mournlul panorama, is the
unmarked graves, which cover nearly
one half Of these consecrated grounds.
But the assiduous hand of care has
left no traces of partiality, in beauti-
flying the tombs of our fallen broth
ers the smoothly mown grass, inter-
, spersed with modest yiolets, flourish
ing 10 its green luxuriance over the
dust of officers and soldiers alike.
Yet amid these kindly tokens of a
nations love, the heart grows faint
at the remembrance Of widowed
forms, bereaved lovers, and father
less children, left in inexplicable
doubt, concerning 1ohere the loved
ones fell, and ,chere their ashes now
) repose. The Archangels trump will
r only solve the deep mystery en-
: shrouding the resting place of unnum-
1 bered braves, calmly sleeping on the
4 fatal battle field of Antietam.
{ Maryland, 1871.
; Representation.