The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-05-07
THE FIELD OF GETTYSBURG.
Visit of the President and the Veterans
to the Famous battle-ground.
Inspecting the Scene of the Great Struggle,
and locating Points Where Notable Events
0ccurred-Ceremonie and Speeches. ;.


To-day, after two months Of tho most exacting
executive duties which new President has to
endure, Mr.. Cleveland put aside the cares OF
State, and enjoyed his first holiday by accepting
the invitation Of Ex-Governor Curtin to visit
the battlefield of Gettysburg Or the return
trip, when the lights of Washington were like a
beacon to the excursiorists, President Cleveland
said to BIr. Curtin: 81 have passed many pleas
ant days in my life, but / am indebted to you
for the moot agreeable day / think / have ever
spent The visit to Gettysburg, and the vivid
manner in which the great events of the three
days fight have been explained to me- will never
be forgotten"
Accompanying the President were Vice presi-
dent Hendricks; Mr.. Endicott, Secretary of War;
Mrs. Endicott and dsughter; Mr.. Whitney, Sec
rotary Of the Navy; Mr.. Villas, Postmaster gen.
eral; General Block, Commissioner of Pensions
and Mrs. Block; General Rosecrans and daughter,
and ex Governor Curtin. Mr.. Lamar, Secretary
of the Interior, joined the presidential party
by later train, reaching Gettysburg little
after o'clock.
The presidential party took passion of the
special car assigned it. the President looking ex-
actly in manner and dress as when he rode down
the avenue on the 4th of March. 1t was to be a
day of rest and relaxation, and his manner indi
Gated that he fully appreciated the respite. Tho
visit to the historical battle ground was planned
several months ago by the veterans Of the First
and other corps of the Army of the Potomac,
and the list of names appended to the
invitations extended, including those most
prominent in both armies in that memorable
engagement The train left the Baltimore &
Potomac depot at 8 o'clock, made up of ten first
class passenger coaches, one of which was occu-
pied by members of the Loyal Legion. The
others were crowded with veterans, every one of
whom nursed an ''old soldier" during the three
and half hours run to Gettysburg. The Pres
ident had stipulated that he should be let alone.
He was not to speak or be spoken to, nor was his
car to be invaded by enthusiastic friends. His
wishes were not only respected by the travelling
party, but the people all along the route seemed
to have been kept in ignorance of the Presidents
presence the train. 1t made no stops that
were av0idable between Washington and its
destination. At Baltimore there was a delay in
changing from the Pennsylvania to the Western
Maryland track, which gave the workmen and
others there assembled ten minutes in which to
look upon the President. From Baltimore speed
was made through the beautiful valley to Gettys-
burg. the approach to which seemed to indicate
unfavorable weather.
But when the train stopped Cleveland
weather" greeted the distinguished party. All
the burghers were at the depot. 1t was for
time question how the President and his party
could be got through the mass. It sug
gested that John Chamberlain, who acted as
superintendent of the edibles and potables,
should with gravity cross the platform while the
loyal legion host cheered him. This ruse, it was
thought. would beguile the Pennsylvanians.
But it did not Finally amid the salvos from a
sixpounder and the guidance of Governor. Cur
ceeded to their carriages, the crowd cheering and
Eurging as though no other President had ever
visited their midst
The President, with Vice-president Hendricks,
Governor Pattison, of Pennsylvania, and Gen.
Hunt headed the procession of carriages to the
cemetery, on whose outskirts another little dog
of war; was barking vigorously. The populace
came afoot beneath the never ending faunt Of
the star-splangled banner, for all Gettysburg
wore loyal dress of red, white and blue
From every steepe and eminence the grand old
flag was waving cordial welcome to the veter-
ans assembled from all parts of the country.
The driver of the Presidents carriage was Mr..
Holtzworth whose knowledge of the details Of
cvery event of the three days fight is said to be
remarkable. After leaving the hallowe6 ground
of The cemetery the drive was to Seminary
Ridge, where General Doubleday unfolded amap
of the three days fight on the Presidents knees,
and the driver Hoitzworth acclaimed his part in
an interesting manner, while the General traced
the lecture under the eyes of the President and
Vice president Secretary Endicott, who had
never heard so much about real war before,
stood like Russian in his long spring overcoat
glancing at the miles of fertile territory, and
sSecretary Whitney consoled himself with the
thought that if there was no water near at
hand his marines would have been at home any
where in the neighborhood; and he went so far
as to say if the Isthmus force had been
at Gettysburg the first day, perhaps
the second and third days slaughter
might have been avoided From The
ridge the veterans and their distinguished guests
proceeded to the base of Cemetery Hill, on the
Emmetsburg road where General Pickett led
the ever-memorable dash against the Union
liHe Beyond was the scene of Hancock's
wound In the distance was pointed out the
locality where Reynolds fell, and General Stan
nard who lost an arm, and Colonel Dudley
who left leg on the field, attested the accu-
racy with which the scenes were narrated
General Hunt gave the President the most
minute details of his experience while in charge
of the artillery, and pointed out the spot locating
the high water mark of the battle After two
hours spot of interest to all of Orange county,
New York, was reached, where, in the midst of
Devils Den, stands a new monument erected by
the people OF that county to the memory of
Colonel Ellis, of the Twelfth New York, and the
"Orange Blossoms" who fell in the hardest con-
test of the battle. The entire party alghted
and spent some time in examining the rocky
ground and in plueking wild flowers from the
soil once watered with the blood of the patriots
Of the country.
Colonel Batchelder, whose name is forever
linked with the historical details of the battle,
when Little Round Top hill was reached, gave
the President the most succinct explanation of
the events which occurred on the plain beneath.
poin ting out with eloquent accuracy the move
ments and counter movements of every brigade
and division, what was holly contested ground
and what followed charge and flank movements
The road along the line of the stone wall was
traversed. The scenes of the third days fight
were graphically described, and finally Cups hill
was visited, and the phantom campaign of Get
tysburg was ended.
Back to the old town Federals and Confederates
marched and rode. At the Eagle and Mcclellan
House the good cheer of the city was brought
forth in abundance. Finally the hour of depart
urs came, and the populace again crowded the
train. This time the President, who had not
honored them with a. speech, did the next best