Morning journal and courier., 1880-08-14
Modern Gettysburs.

From a letter to the Cincinnati CommerciaLl
 Sight seers are we'll rewarded in coming here, and, if there were no other attractions, tbe pure air, bright skies, lovely landscape and an immunity from dust and dirt must prove compensation and be potent to draw and retain. The battlefield at this season is in the yernacular of the guide, Most glori- ous, assure you .'' It has lost most of the grim effects of the war the shell-riddled trees are fast disappearing, the shattered buildings have been replaced and the breastworks and cannon-pits covered with yellow loan are painfully remindful of the ar tifcial, but the glories of Round Top and Culp's Hill are undiminished. No hand of man can unpile the huge boulders which formed natural ramparts, or take away the wildness of the ravines about Devils Den, or change the courses of the streams that wind among the rocks like silver serpents- streams that in '63 were rivulets of blood, and are for evermore sacred.
 Standing on 8 commanding point, I view ed 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 undu- lations to the blue mountains, which encircle the whole like a wall, and the fact may be forgotten entirely were it not for the green graves and the glistening monument in the National Cemetery. Meanwhile guide close by, like a loquacious parrot, is repeating his story, more or less correct, of the positions of the troops during the engagement, and pointing out with visible pride the special objects of interest. It 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- sternation of the citizens the booming of the cannon, the bursting of the shells the shrieks of the dying and the wounded and rising of the sun on the fourth day, like ball of fire, to look upon a scattered army and gory field, while the sound of battle died like distant thunder beyond the noun tains-while knew too we'll that in 1863 he was a child in short clothes, needing the at tention 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 it's historic glory, or make one whit less pure the memories engendered there.
 During the course of the morning the tree under which General John F. Reynolds fen upon the first day of the battle, was pointed out I do not like to spoil good story, but the truth is 1t was not the historic oak, but the second of the kind which has served the purpose, it's predecessors having fallen be- fore the ravages of the relic-hunters Twas we'll acquainted with No. 1, and felt grieved that an old friend should have been followed by less noble brother, one whose branches are not nearly so wide-spreading or thrifty.
 The relic hunters for years have been sell ing innumerable buttons shot off the coats of Generals Mead and Reynolds, and chairs which had been used in headquarters by com manding officers, but of late the public has opened its eyes to the fact that, however brave, the officers were not clad solely in brass buttons and that it was doubtful if the great orders could have been dictated from half hundred chairs SO the button and chair trade became almost stagnant, and star vation looked in at the door But since June there has been demand for Hancock relics, and I have heard of even the sale of a shoe dropped by the steed Hancock rode when he came galloping up from Tawney town Hike Dessaix at Marengo." You can also purchase canes which grew upon the spot where Generals Hancock and Howard met ''in conference'' on the first day. It is not sure that you can be convinced that these are bona fde relics, but then you know that relics, like poets heroes, can't dispense with glory just for common sense.