The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1888-07-05
GETTYsBURG,s BATTLE.
The Great Peaoe-aatherlng of Veterans.

which broke through the rain clouds
yesterday, shed its rays in no mean guam.
tity on the battlefield to-day, but its
ierceness was tempered by gentle breeze
and save the monuments, nothing showed
that this was the scene of the pivotal
battle of the civel war. All last night
the streets we're crowded with visitors,
some seeking lodging and others out for
good time. All day trains have been
arriving until the streets are filled with
mass of humanity, and boarding and
lodging are at the highest possible premi-
um. At half past ten this morning, the
veterans formed, and by and by the
Frankford band marched across the road
to the National cemetery, and on through
this to the vine clad rostrum, where reli-
gious services were held. The scene was
unusually impressive, and when Chaplain
Sayres had finished his sermon, more
than thousand voices Joined in singing
America"
In the evening the usual dress parade
was observed, and it recalled most vivid
~ the scenes of the battle, and more
eyes than QUE were vet with tears at the
remembrance of the dead comrades who
had marched in the same line. Imme.
diately after the parade sacred song
service was held, and the band gave the
usual evening concert.
The camp presents charming appear.
ance to. night, with the numerous electric
lights illuminating it, and little knots of
veterans gathered before each tent dis.
cussiug the great conflict and the part
they played in it. At 2 o'clock the road
from town to Reynold's grave was crowd.
ed with carriages and pedestrians on their
way to witness the exercises of the first
corps.
The stand was packed and the ground
below was crowded with the veterans and
visitors, when, just as the strains of the
band leading the procession of prominent
men who were to take part in the exer.
cises was heard coming over the brow Of
Seminary hill, Captain Pond, of Wiscon.
sin, walked up to General Longstreet,
who was sitting on the platform, and
whispered quietly to him:
General, come quietly With me. l
think the platform is giving way"
The general at once walked of, and
second afterward, with crash, the sup.
ports gave way and the structuD dropped
to the ground. The fall was but two feet
and fortunately no one was injured. By
the time order had been restored, the
procession was entering the woods, and
the cannon of the light battery thundered
forth salute to Governor Beaver. As the
governor appeared on the PROSTATE plat.
form, the crowd gave a cheer such as
these woods have not heard since the
same day twenty-five years ago. Bishop
Potter made q most eloquent prayer.
Major E. P. Halstead, president of the
association of the first corps, in few
words introduced Governor Beaver, who
| delivered the address of welcome. Ex.r
Governor John G.. Robinson, of New
York resting on his crutches, then res:
ponded on behalf of the corps. Addres.
ses were made by Frederick Smith, war
governor of New Hampshire; E. j.
Ormsbee, governor of Vermont; Colonel
L. a. Grant, Judge W. G.. Kelsey, of
Vermont.
General Longstreet was then called for.
He said:
"Mr. Chairman, soldiers, gentlemen
and friends: was not in time to witness
any part of the engagement of the first
day of Gettysburg, but am pleased to be
here in time to witness the ceremony
commemorative the days of honor of the
army of the Potomac, and to express
that sympathy that should 60 out from
all hearts to those who know how to
appreciate the conduct of soldiers who.
offer their lives on the altar of their
country, and who may better attest the
bravery of the defenders of Gettysburg
than those who breasted the measure Of
battle against them, and who could more
forcibly realize that it was their heroism
that grasped the eliminating moment !;
resolved to resist the advancing aspira.
tions of States sovereignty with the
| frmness that it was justified by the
strong ground upon which fortune cast
their lines. Amidst these formidable
surroundings, these rock. bound slopes
and heights, reinforced by balls of lead
and iron, and ribs of steel and American
valor, the gauge of battle was pitched,
and here the great army of the south, the
pride and glory Of that section, found
| itself over matched, arrested in it's march
of triumph. and forced to stand and recoil,
but not for want of gallantry, fortitude
| or iaith. The battle of the second day
by McLaw's and Hoods divisions, and
part of Anderson's was as spirited as
some of the dashing efforts of the first
Napoleon, but before the end it. was
found to be Q work to upheave the noun.
taiu. That of the third day by Pickett's
divisions and Trimble's, marching
twelve hundred yards under the fire Of q
hundred cannon, and 10000 of musketry,
has no parallel or is likely to have ID
the annals of war. This battle scene
recurs to ny mind with vivid force. The
gallant Pickett at the head of my old
| division, and Trimble, of even bearing,
like soldiers .,on parade, holding their
men to their desperate work, the set
feature of the veteran BrigadierS, Arm
i stead, Garrett and Eemper, vililant Of
their compact files; the elastic steps of
| the troops whose half-conceafed 8 miles
expressed pleasure ID their opportunity,
measure of a soldiers pride, and we'll did
Gney Meeb tuP pEoWlso ~ 1uoN Pa&tAu6
salutations With that CONFIDENCE that com.
mands success wherei it is possible. Their
hammered ranks moved steadily on till
marching, up, face to face, they fell, their
poble heads at the feet ftheir conquerors
who, standing like their own brave hills,
received with welcome the shock of the
| sometimes demanded by the panopiy of
well.adjhsted battle. Such is the sacrifice
armies arrayed for battle. But times
! have changed: Twenty-Five years have
| softened the usages Of war; Those ffrown.
ing heights have given oyer their savage
tones, and our meetings for the exchange
| of blows snd broken bones are left for
more congepial days, for friendly greetings
and for covenants of tranquil repose.
The ladies are here to grace the serene
occasion and quicken the sentiment that
draws us nearer together. God bless
them, and help that they may dispel
the illusions that come between the people,
and make the land as blithe as the bride
at the coming of the bridegroom.
General Fafrchilds vas next introduced.
He said twenty-five years has made it
possible to sandwich Yankee and Copfed
IN