Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-09-23
Hedern 6ettysburg.


Sight-seers are well rewarded In COM
ing here, and If there were no other at
fractions, the pure air, bright skies. q
lovely landscape and an immunity from
dust and dirt must prove a conlpensa-
tion and be potent TO draw and retain.
The battlefield at this season is, In the
vernacular of the guide, Most glori-
Gus, assure your 1t has lost much of
the grim effects of the war; the she'll
riddled trees are fast disappearing, the
shattered buildings have been replaced,
and the breastworks and cannon pits
covered with yellow loan are painfully
remindful ofthe artificial; but the glor-
les OF Round Top and Culp's Hill are
undiminished. No hand of man can
unpile that huge bonlders which formed
natural ramparts, or take away the
wildness of the ravines OF Devils Den,
or change the courses of the streams
that wind among the rocks like silver
serpents-streams that in '63 were rivu-
lets OF blood, and are forevermore
sacred.
Standing on "A commanding point, |
viewed the magnificent panorama of the
battle ground and valley. There are no
traces of war in the fertile fields, dotted
with white farm-houses, stretching with
graceful undulations to the blue noun
tains which encircle the whole like "A
wall, and the fact might be forgotten
entirely were it not for the green graves
and glistening monument in the nation
al cemetery. Meanwhile a guide close
byNa loquacious parrot, is repeating his
story. more or less correct, of the posi-
tions OF the troops during the engage
ment, and pointing out with visible
ride the special objects of interest. 1t
was amusing TO hear him aver, with all
seeming sincerity. that he remembered
well the days of the great battle. the
marching troops. flying banners, the con-
ernation of the citizens, the booming
of he cannon, the bursting of the shells,
the shrieks ofthe dying and the wounded
and the rising of the sun on the fourth
day, like ball of fire. TO look upon n
scattered army and a CORY field, while
the sound of battle died like distant
thunder beyond the mountains-while l
knew too well that in 1863 he was "A
child in short clothes needing the atten-
of his mother. But let him talk as he
would. he could not make less green the
trees or grass, nor could he rob the
scene OF its historic glory. or make one
whit less pure the memories engendered
there.
During the course of the morning, the
tree under which General John +. Rey-
nolds fell, upon the first day of the
battle, was pointed out. do not like
to spoil good story, but the truth is, 1t
was not the historic oak, but the second
its kind which has served the purpose,
its predecessor having fallen before the
rayages of the relic hunters. was well
acquainted with No. /. and felt grieved
that an old friend should have bern
succeeded by less noble brother, one
whose branches are not nearly so wide.
spread or thrifty.
The relic hunters for years have been
selling innumerable buttons shot Off the
coats Of Generals Meade and Reynolds,
and chairs which had been used in head.
quarters by the commanding generals
but OF late the public has opened its eyes
to the fact that. however brave, th'
officers were not clad solely in brass
buttons. and that it was doubtful If tn
great orders had been dictated from hal
n hundred chairs, so the button and chair
trade became almost stagnant. and
starvation looked in at the door.-Lette,
TO Cincinnati Commercial.