The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1886-08-06
A Visit to the Battlefield of
Gettysburg.
Sketches and Incidents of the Trim
"Reminiscences of the
Great Battle, &c.
Special Correspondence to MIDLAND JOURNAL.

0ISdL DdIIlG, cLC.
Special Correspondence to MIDLAND JOURNAL.
The Battle Field Memorial Association"
was formed for the purpose of holding and
preserving the battle grounds of Gettysbu.g
with their natural and artificial defences
and to perpetuae the same with such
memorial structure as might be erected
thereon in commemoration of the heroic
deeds of the victors in that great contest.
An act was passed by the Legislature of
Pennsylvania granting authority to pur-
chase lands, laying out of roads, avenues
erecting memorial structures &C.. the prop.
erty not subject to attachment or execution
and be forever free from taxation. 1t is man
aged by President and Board of twenty
one Directors, elected annually bv the
members. The membership fee is ten dol
lars. The association has purchased about
three hundred acres of land, embracing the
grove where Reynolds fell, the two Round
Tops, the Wheat Field, Culp's and East
Cemetery Hill. The entire Union line of
battle from Cemetery Hill to Round Top
and other interesting places making
driveway along the Union lines of or 8
miles, and is enclosed with substantial
wire fence. A great many of the states
have appropriated literally to the fund.
Ohio taking the lead, contributing $4,000.
The town of Gettysburg contains about
or thousand inhabitants, streets crossing
each other at right angles. 1t is the GEN.
tire of eleven roads, which made it of pc
culiar Significance as a military point. The
town has rather quaint appearance, and
behind in the modern style of architecture.
Thaddeus Stephens, practiced law here for
25 years previous to coming to Lancaster
and while at Gettysburg was one of the
most active citizens. He was jealous adyo.
cate of education and was mainly ipstru-
mental in bringing about the common
school sy stem of that state OF. which she is
SO proud of. Mr.. Stevens was also the
founder of the Pennsylvania College, which
is located here, which stands high as an
educational institution having an able Pres
ident and faculty of instructors.
After resting myself, and sharing the hos
pitality of my esteemed friend, got sepa-
rated from the company. l wended nv
way to the extreme right of the battle
field known as Culp's Hill, here the fight
ing was terrific on the End day, by the 11th
and 18th corps in repulsing Johnson's and
Early's divisions. The earthworks are kept
up here as fresh as on the day of battle. It
was here that Maryland troops fought on
both sides. Lockwoods brigade part of
which was from the Eastern shore, the Con.
federates from the city of Baltimore. Here
l met few comrades of the 1st MARYLAND
one of them had hammer and chisel down
by the side ola rock, l called "comrade"
what are you doing there He replied I'm
knocking piece off of this rock behind
which l lay % years ago to take home as a
memento."
Close by is "Spangler's Springs" two fine
streams of water gushing from the hillside
from which both the Union and Confederate
troops came and filled their canteens
the night ofthe End day of the battle, neither
molesting the other the springs being about
midway between the picket lines. Here our
old corps the 18th was engaged, Commanded
by Gen. Sokum. Geary commanded the d.
vision, and Kane the brigade to which we
were formerly attached.
The story as related by an eye witness
the next day after the battle is heart rending.
For five or six acres the plot known as Rock
Creek, which lies between Culp's Hill and
Wolfs Hill, the woods were literally mown
off. The enemy were determined to take
this position and were shot down by the
hundreds, some places they lay three deep,
where they attempted to ascend the steep
hill and were killei and rolled back. rs
and some places 100bodies were buried in the
same trench, and never had any other bur-
ial. Many touching incidents occurred on
the battle field. Here on Culp's Hill
Union soldier was found still in death, with
his hands clasping tightly a photograph,