The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1886-07-07
THIRD toRPs REUNION.

\ NM IA
Pennsylvania and her bravest and best
have We'd with New England and New
York To make this the most notable Of all
the gatherings of old soldiers on this soil
since the war. The purpose of this recall
WAS not only io bring the member of the
Third Corps together for consultation and
reflection, but that they might listen to the
words of their old commander, who to-day,
for the first time, speaks IN answer 10 the
criticisms that have been mad upon hiscon-
duct of the battle he fought on the second
day of July. 1858. Always 4 dramatic and
picturesque figure. either in peace or war,
General Daniel +. Sickles was to-day more
expressive than ever. The rain disturbed the
battlefield arrangements hut the rink,
where the boys and girls who have been
born since the rebellion skim in the graceful
curves of skating or circle in the dance was
secured. BY eleven O'Clock II was crowde'
with veterans representing every corps that
commended uuon this field.
Inc Dmldlng was a besiuilful picture oil
life and animation. with it, decoration both
of flags and soldiery and citizens. both men
and women. The fair sex were there in
large numbers and proud of the males, who
are now but little more than reminders Of
the stirring and mighty past Of which they
were 81 much to the nation. \ platform
was erected in front Of the building and
around it tlronged some three thousand
souls. \ few tatterei battle-tlags were here
and there in the throng and many an arm
less sleeve was carried To and fro through the
crowd. All was life and interest.
GEN. SICKLE RECEPTIoN.
There was good music by the Hanover
Band. and the echoes of patriotic songs were
ringing through the hall, when Il veteran on
the stage shouted. The Generals coming.
There was silence for Il second. only to he
followed 10y one tremendous shout as Genera
Sickles hobbled across the threshold upon
his cruiches. Men shouted and women went
half mad with delight aS loyal hands helped
him upon the stage. Il noble figure of the
past and present. The events of nearly a
quarter of a century ago were recalled 10
every one by his martial look and bearing
and his eloquent crutcheS, There was no
installing the heart of the aSSemblagc, and
if either General Sickles or the world ever
had any doubt as To his standing with the
troops lac led So long and with whom he was
a rcgimental, brigade and corps commander
this DAYS outburSt has dispelled il.
Grouped about him on the stage were his
old division. brigade. regimcntal and battery
commanders. General Carr. of New York.
who started the corps towards the taieful
field of Gettysburg. came on with the old
commander To find already seated upon the
stage General Hobcrt Ward, General II. L.
Tremaine. Sickcls' old chief of staff; General
{. \. T. Coils, General Henry \. Barnuni.
General W. J. Scwell. of New Jersey. Major
General :. W. Crawford. General Robert Nc
Allister, General Adam Badcau. General
Rafferty,. General Henry 4. Hunt. Chief of
Artillery. who commanded the guns of the
Army Of the Potomac AT Gettysburg. and a
score or more men all hearing ilhu>trious
name>. For uuwcr and significance. there
has never been such n gathering upon this
field since it was laid waste by the hoof of
war.
A-TRiKGNG PICTURE.
1t was indeed a striking picture of the past
made more mellow and beautiful by the
touches of the peaceful present which has in
4 great measure covered the track and tread
of armed conflict with the silver sands of a
new and broader national life and prosperity.
The occasion WAS fraught not only with
interest. but with importance. New words
were 10 lie said by the man who fought the
battle of the ID of July and whose lns have
been sealed since the day of the Wonderful
fight. While Others have sIoken. lac has
remained silent. Having lost his leg upon
the field, his official report of the occasion
was not made. Hcncet the meeting of to-day.
He gathered his old comrades. from ~licuten-
ant To generals and from generals To pri-
YATES, from the four quarters of the country.
that lac might read hi official report TO the
world in their hearing. II was a great deliy-
cry The neconl on both sides lac held in his
hand and from the statements of all the
acton in the great tragedy here enacted he
made up and to-day presented his final con-
tribution Ia history in relation to this battle.
His words were touching and powerful by
turns and his hearers weIt, laughed and
hurralIed according ~ his remarks were
pathetic, descriptive or critical.
General Sickle then delivered a speech in
reply To Colonel A. Wilson Norris attack
uIon himself - commander of the Third
Corps at the bartlo of Gettysburg. He de
Tended himself in strong language and gave
the reasons why President Lincoln had not
granted him a court of inquiry.
f. X. Martin. of Lancaster, was the orator
at the dedication of the onume Of the
Ninety-ninth Pennsylvania Regiment. He
eulogized the work Of the regiment in elo-
quent language and described the heroic
services Of the men who covered with glory
the Union arms.