The National tribune., 1886-07-15
BLUE AND GRAY.
Proposed Reunion OF the Armies Of the Potomac
and Northern Virginia at Gettysburg, July /, 2
and 3, 1850.

Proposed Reunion OF the Armies Of the Potomac
and Northern Virginia at Gettysburg, July /, 2
aud 3, 1850.
AT the Reunion OF the Third Corps Of the
Army of the Potomac at Gettysburg on the Cd
inst, the gallant Mai .-Gen. Daniel T. Sickles
closed his eloquent address as follows:
trust this may not be our last Reunion on this
Held. Propositions have been submitted to Gems
Longsireet and MeLaws aud their surviving COM
Tades who were in our front, to unite with the
surviving comrades Of the Army OF the Potomac in
"A grand Reunion here next July. and / am happy
10 state that both Of these distinguished soldiers and
citizens have signItied in the most cordial manner
their approval Of the suggestion.
The remarks quoted reminded the Editor Of
The NATIONAL TRIBUNE of a letter he had
the pleasure Of reading at the time Of its re-
ceipt, which he has obtained for publication, as
follows:
HEADQUARTERS X. L. LEE CAMP No. IL
CONFEDERATE VETERANS
VETERAN HALL RICHMOND, Jan. % 1856
Maj. WIN HowAED MILLS, 1877 street, Washing
CoMRADE: Your hearty. soldierIy letter Of the
stu inst. was read to the Camp last night aud the
sentiments expressed therein responded TO by
unanimous and ample appreciation. IL would have
done your heart good II you had been present.
We, too, hope that the day Is near when the
American soldiers vino astonished the world from
81 TO 65 shall meet al Gettysburg as you suggest
in one Grand Encampment
A second reading Of your letter was called for
ever, in keeping and spirit with your suggestion
IL you will permit me- viii suggest that you con-
tinue to lead ia the matter you have so praise
woFthily originated.
H. f. Lee Camp has nearly 200 members old SOL
diers. from Major-GeneFals down To high private.
Ia the rear rank, embracing part OF the flower
OF Lees army, who VIII meet -ou with thankful
and hearty grip ia your path tic effort to bind
together as with bands Of steel this reunitsA and
happy country.
THE boys in Hue aud gray" who did the fight
ing, can do Il IL they will.
Believe me. my dear Major, but crudely state
the sentiment of this Camp, which desires me to
express the hope that II may soon hear from you
again.
Very fraternally. yours, ARTHUR A. spr-zER,
Captain and Adjutant.
The proposed meeting of former foes, now
friends, as well as common Decoration Day,
was first suggested By Mai. Mills in the early
part Of 1884. and in letter acknowledging a
contribution toward the building Of the Con-
federate Soldiers Home at Richmond the Sec
rotary of the Committee on the Fair wrote
under date Of Feb. H. 1891:
H. T.. Lee Camp, No. 1, G. ". sends you thanks
for your contribution 10 the fund =nd honor for the
sentiments express We think with YOU il would
he glorious Reunion il the veterans OF both armies
could be gotten together upon the historic nights
Of Gettysburg.
In correspondence about that time and since
Maj Mills found the sentiment Of the soldiers
Of the South rather in advance of that of the
DpANA1s9 Va viz -NcAAHf Dut no HAS carefully
nursed the matter until he believes the Society
of the Army Of the Potomac ready TO extend a
hearty aud cordial invitation to the Army OF
Northern Virginia to meet it in a friendly
campaign at Gettysburg, and at the coming
Reunion at San Francisco will present the
matter for consideration in the form of a reso-
luton.
IL is the opinion Of THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE
that the fraternal meeting of the late combat
ants Of Gettysburg on their field Of battle would
| give touching emphasis to the desires Of those
| who wish to sec all our people reunited heart
and hand under one Flag. one Constitution
and one Republic. Ii was with knowledge of
Maj. Mills's purpose that two or three months
ago we suggested his designation as orator at
the coming Reunion, aud we regret that the
proper committee did not promptly adopt the
suggestion. The orator has not yet been desig-
1 mated