The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-06-09
GETTY sBURG.
Reunion of the Veterans and Survey OF
The Second Days Fight.

The Second Days Fight.
GETTYSBURG, Pa, June 8.-There were
strange and interesting scenes in and about TINS
quiet little town yesterday and last night. AT
least 200 veteran soldiers, from privates up 10
maior-generals, gathered here to assistin locat-
ing the different positions of the companies,
regiments, brigades divisions and corps during
the three days fight upon these historic helds.
With them are representatives OF the confeder-
ate army who came here to dow what they couia
to mark and preserve every feature OF this heia
in enduring form while the actors in the great
tragedy are still living A few of the soldiers
arrived Tuesday night. Gen. Forney or AiaDa-
ma, who commanded brigade in Wllcox.s Oh
vision of the confederate forces, and Col. her
bert of the Sth Alabama, and Col. Aiken, VINO
commanded South Carolina regiment, all OF
whom are now members of Congress, came over
with Col. w. H. Shallenberger, who fought
them in the wheat field where the gallant Zook
fell. Maj. Martin Maginnes, who charged For
ney's whole brigade in the peach orchard Win
about 200 men of thu first Minnesota infantry,
came also. Gen. j. r. Brook, colonel OF the 80
United States infantry, that was in Hancock S
corps during the battle here, also came.
The early morning trains brought large num-
bers of soldiers from the different States, who
spent the day going over the field. Gen. Ellis
Spear and Coils. Merrill and Wilson OF Maine
represented the Pine Tree State. Col. Stough-
ton of Palmer, Mass, who commanded the ID
United States sharpshooters at the Devils Den
was among UuO DFSt ucIo. SOl. OuuuuiiHo VI
Western New York and about 20 officers and
men of his regiment came early. Capt. Wins.
low, whose famous battery did great service
here, came from st. Lawrence county, and there
were several other representatives of the cas-
tern States. Among the throng the diamond
of the old Sd corps was more conspicuous than
of all the other corps that took part IN this
great battle combined. This is partly due to
the fact that at this meeting the position OF the
troops in the second days fighting is to be icca-
ted, and that that corps bore the heat and bur-
den of that day in the heavy fighting. Then
the old commander of that corps, Gen. Daniel
e. Sickles, was to be here, and most of those
who are here had not seen him since he was
carried off this field, 10 years ago, with leg
shot off. Sickles arrived about 1 o'clock this
afternoon, accom- panied by Mai -Gen. Tom w
Egan, known as fighting Tom Eagan, who
made the famous charge at the Devils Den, on
the second day.
Sickles is naturally the central figure of this
gathering, and it must do the old warriors
heart good to see such evidences OF affection Tor
him as has been manifested all day. haven t
seen you for nigh 20years,' said an old veteran
from Maine with one wooden leg, but love
you as well as ever. Wasn't it hot in the peach
orchard? lost my Leg general in your bout os
hundred like salutations which greetedthe gen.
eral wherever he went. 81 reported to you just
as you lost your leg, )" said Winslow, 'and you
thought l had only one gun left, but had
them all. Gen. Sickles, accompanied by MAJ
Gen. Eagap, Maj-Gen Crawford, and Col. Ran
dolph, his chief of artillery, who came all the
way from Colorado, to help locate the scenes OF
the fighting, traversed the whole field of Sick
les great battle on the second day.
1t was thought that there would be some
trouble in agreeing upon the position OF the
troops, but not so. There is perfect accord as
to the position of the different commands, and
it is astonishing how readily and with what ac-
curacy the men and officers pick out the places
their regiments occupied in the heat OF battle
after 10 years absence from the field. Col. Ran
dolph, who was with Gen. Sickles when be lost
his leg, agreed with his chief as to the spot
where he swas wounded, and to-day it will
be appropriately marked, as will the other
positions of Gen. Sickles' command ON that
day.
To-day all the officers and soldiers here will
go over it again, and the position of the troops
as designated, officially marked. Last night the
Gettysburg Memorial Association gave recep-
ton in the towd hall to the veterans, and it
was most pleasant reunion. The hall was
crowded with old soldiers, and, as each officer
of distinction came in, he was enthusiastically
received. As Gen. Sickles came down the aisle
the crowd arose and greeted him with per-
feet ovation. Col. Batchelder of Massachusetts,,
the government historian Of the battlefield,
conducted the exercises. Col. Skallenberger OF
the Pennsylvania delegation in Congress spoke
first and then there was call for Sickles, but
he could not be induced to speak. Gen. Bea-
yer spoke briefly, and was received with mark
ed distinction. All the confederate officers
made brief, patriotic speeches, that were loud
ly cheered. Indeed, it seemed to be the dispo-
sition of all present to give them very hearty
welcome. Gen. Brooke, Gen. Spear and Maj
Maginnes made few remarks and It was af-
ter 10 o'clock when the gathering broke up.
Gen. Siezles and Gen. Beaver were taken ~
the crowd, and held quite a reception in the
hall, nearly all of the old soldiers pressing for
ward asking to shake hands with them. Al
most every other man was minus an arm or a
leg. There will be another reunion of the Off
GERS and men of the two armies on the 14th of
June to designate other features of the battle
field and others Will follow later in the sum
msr and fall The position of each command
is to be designated by monument.