Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-07-06
THE BLUE AND THE GRAY.
TWENTY-FlFTH ANNIVERSARY OF
THE BATTLE OF GET TYSBURG.
General Longstreet, Governor Ormsbee,
Judge Neazey and Others Speak
Saturday-5O. ex-Soldiers
expected to be Present.

GETTYSBURG, Pa, July 1.-The sun
shone brightly on the BATTLEFIELD today.
All last night the streets were crowded
with visitors some seeking lodgings and
others out for a good time All to-day
trains have been arriving until the streets
are filled with a mass of humanity and
boarding and lodging are at the highest
possible premium. AT 103O the veterans
formed and led by the Frankfort band
marched to the National cemetery and on
through this to the vine clad rostrum,
where religious services were held. The
scene was unusually impressive. When
Chaplain Sayres finished his sermon more
than 1000 voices joined in singing "Amer-
ca' In the evening the usual dress pa
rade was observed Immediately after
the parade sacred song service was held,
and the band gave the usual evening con
cert The camp presents a charming ap-
pearance tonight with its numerous
electric lights illuminating it and little
knots of veterans gathered before each
tent discussing the great conflict and the
part they played in it.
The road from the town to Reynolds
Grove was crowded at . p. M with car.
-iages and pedestrians on the way to wit
hess the exercises of the First corps Just
as the strains of the band leading the prJ.
Cesslon OF prominent men who were to
take part i'll the exercises was heard com
ing over from seminary hill, the platform
which was crowded gave way with a
crash and dropped to the ground
The fall was but two feet and no one
was injured. BY the time order
had been re t red the procession was en-
tering the woods aud the cannons of the
hited States light battery thundered
forth a salute to Gov. Beaver. Bishop
Potter opened the exercises with an elo-
| quent prayer and then Mai. Ed Halstead
president of the association of the First
corps, introduced Gov. James A. Beaver
who delivered the address of welcome.
ExGov. John G. Robinson of New York,
resting on his crutches, responded III be
half of the corps Frederick Smyth, war
governor OF New Hampshire followed with
q snort address.
Mayor Halstead then called for Gov A.
! q. Curtis but he was not present Owing
! to the absence of j. Gregory Smith and
Frederick Holbrook, both war governors
of Vermont, Gov. Ormsbee made a brief
response. He said he had come the whole
way from Vermont to tell the boys
of the First corps how glad he was
he belonged to that glorious command.
Geu. Il. A. Grant who commanded the
first Vermont brgada in the sixth corps,
next made few pointed remarks. Mai
or Halstead then called upon w. q
I tdLtS, JuuSt vi luc supreme court Oh
Vermont who commanded the 10th Reg
ment of Stannard's brigade. during the bat
tie. He made stirring address and re-
marked he was the worst scared man in
10000 who went into the battle of Gettys
burgh. but was not as badly scared as at
present.
When Major Halstead mentioned the
name of Longstreet the general was
| given rouSlug reception. He said | was
| not in time to witness any part of the en-
nt of no frs do of .att h,,,,
but am pleased to be here in time to wit
ness these ceremonies and express the
sympathy that should go out from all
hearts 10 those who know how to ap-
preciate the conduct of soldiers vino
offer their lives on the altar of their
country And who may better
attest the bravery of the defenders at
Gettysburg than those who meas
ured battle against them ami who could
more forcibly realized that it was their
heroism that grasped at the eliminating
moment and resolved to resist the advanc-
ing aspirations of the States with frmness
and that it was justified by the strong
ground upon which fortune cast their
lives Amidst these formidable surround.
in2s, these rOckbouhd slopes and heights
reinforced by balls of lead and iron and
ribs OF steel and American volunteers
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 its march of triumph
forced to stand and recoil, but not for want
of gallantry and fortitude. The battle of
the second day by McLaws and Hoods di-
vision and q part of Anderson's was as
spirited as some dashing efforts of the first
Napoleon.
That of the third day by Pckett's divis.
ion and Trlmble's marching 1000 yards un-
der fire of 100 cannon and 10000 muskrJ-
ry has no parallel, nor is likely to have in
the annals of war. The battle scene re-
ours to my mind with vivid force The
gallant Pickett at the head of my own di-
vision, and lrmble of even bearing, like
soldiers on parade, holding their men to
their desperate work, the set features of
the veteran brigadiers, Armstead Gar
rett and Kemper, vigiant OF their com
pact files and the elastic steps of the rool s
whose half concealed smiles expressed
pleasure in their opportunity to mark
OF soldiers pride, and well they
dld meet this promise OF their
parting salutatlons, with that confidence
that commands success. Where il is pos
slble their hammered ranks moved stead
lily on till marching up face to face they
fell, their noble heads at the feet of the
foe, VINO, standing like their own brave
hills, received with welcome the shock of
this well adjusted battle. Such is the
sacrifice sometimes demanded by armies
arrayed for battle.
But the times have changed 25 wears
have soiteued the usages OF war. Those
trowning heights have given over their
savage tones and our meetings for the eX.
change of blows and broken bones are left
for more congenal days, for friendly
greetings and for the covenants OF tran
quill repose. The ladies are here to grace
the serene occasion and quicken the senti
ment that draws us nearer together. God
bless them and help that they may dispe
the delusiOns that come between peopls
and make the land as blithe as d bride al
the coming of the bridegroom.
Gov Farchild wrs next introduced. lie
said % years ago had made il possible to
sandwich the Yankee and confederate be
tween Yankee Doodle and Dixie. The
men of the North did not love the men OF
the South less, but they loved the old flag
more. The South did not love the old
flag less, but loved the States more. This
Mr. President ! think, tells the whole
htorY. The old FAC still remains lcries O