Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-07-03
THE GETTYSBURG REUNION,
A Great Gathering ON the second
Day--The Days Of 1863 Recalled.
[By telegraph 10 the pispatch.l

DGt w b8y W A''s
[By telegraph to tho Dispstchl
GErrYsBURG, Pa, July 2.--The day was
beautiful one and the town has been
crowded with people, the majority OF them
veterans OF the war. The earlier part OF the
day was occupied busiiy enough in holding
regimental, brigade, and corps retinions and
dedicating memorials.
At hali-past 4 o'clock the grand procession
moved from Centre Square aud passed OUT
Baltimore street, along which the Federal
troops retreated after the bloody lighting OF
the first day. to the National cemetery. INTO
this il turned and swept up the north
ern avenue TO the beautiful r0strum.
First rode Colonel Gibson, followed by
two aides. The United States Band
followed, and then came the regular troops,
the light artillery under Colonel Living
stone, and the cavalry under Major Carpen'
ter Colonel Steyens's New Y0rk's crack
command aud the various posts came stray
Cling along sfterward many wish drum
corps, the whole making a noise which was
perhaps only equaled by The awful artillery
duel twenty-five years ago.
Here within bearing OF the spot where
Lincoln made his immortal speech at the
dedication Of soldiers monuments, Noyem-
Der 10, 1868, the exercises OF renaion be-
tween the Blue and the Gray took place. On
the rostrum the front row OF chairs was oc-
cupied by General Sickles, General Beaver,
and General Robinson GALL with crutchesl
General Gordon, OF Georgia; General era
ham, General Buttertleld, and Rev. DR.. VAL
entine, OF tie Southern Theological sem-
mary.
At 5:04 O'Clock General Robinson arose
aud In few brief words introduced General
Sickles as the presiding officer who opened
the exercises with an eloquent address.
When Governor Gordon appeared before
the great crowd that filed the vast lawn be-
fore the rosirum the cheers and hurrahs were
almost deafeplng, and throughout his speech
he was interrupted by cries OF "Good."
Hurrahir and other expressions OF plea
sure and approval such as must nave been
flattering Ia the extreme TO Georgia's Chief
Executive.
General Gordon concluded by introducing
Governor James a. Beaver. Of PeRnsylya-
MIA.
when Governor Beaver hobbled on his
crutches TO the front he was received no
less enthusiastically than his predecessor,
and he also was broken in upon by the hearty
cries Of the spectators.
General Sickes then read the following
telegram from Mrs. Pickett, widow Of the
General who made the famous charge on the
day Ct the 3D.:
TO the Chairman Of the Committee OF the
Gettysburg Reunion. Gettysburg: When ]
accepted the suggestion Of my kind friends
that my presence would serve rs q link in
the chain Of unity between the sections
broken by the civil war [ was ready and
most willing to make any sacrifice to con-
tribute TO the perfect union Of the survivors
, 1. "A tl.t Hnf1
Grated by the blood OF the 6ravest ever shed
upon Gods footstool; but knowing that the
wings OF sseet peace are in unity blended so
that no single person can bind IL more closely.
and the condition Of my health admoniahlng
quiet. / tender thanks and Gods blessing in
stead OF nv presence.
[Signedl Mrs. GEORGE L. PICKETT,
Virginia.
Captain W. Gordon McCabr, OF Virginia,
who was to have responded TO Governor
Beaver in behalf OF the southern men, was,
owing TO railroad delay, unable TO be pres
ent. and General Hooker. OF Mississippi.
took his place. Although he spoke eXtem-
poraueously his effort was splendid one.
While the applause was still going on Gen
eral Longstreet came quietly on the stand,
and after shaking hands with Generals
Sickles and Gordon took seat near the
latter.
General Slckles then in a few fitting re-
marks introduced the venerable war Cover
nor OF PENNSYLVANIA, Andrew G.. Curtin.
General Curtin walked feebly 10 the rail-
which runs along the edge OF the rostum.
HIS short talk conyulsed the crowd with
laughter.
After Governor Curtin General Longstreet
spoke few short sentences, and then Gene
raj Slocum, Of the Twelfth corps. addressed
the audience for short time. General Cur
tis, commander OF the Grand Army OF the
Republic Of New York, followed, and Rev.
DR.. Valentine closed the exercises with the
beuediction.
The immense crowd broke up and amused
itself in strolhng over the graves, reading the
headstoncs, gazing upon the beautiful monu-
ments. Sc. Tonight there is no programme
OF the Army Of the Potomac and the streets
are filled with people.
Tomorrow the final exercises OF the re-
union Of the Army OF the Potomac will be
held ut O'Clock In the National cemetery,
where George William Curtis will deliver an
Grafton and George Parsons Lathrop will
read poem.
Among the many nOted persons besides
those already mentioned VINO were on the
rostrum were General ColgrOve, General
Barnum, General Robinson, Of Ohio; Gene
raj Boydan, General G.. ii. Sharpe, General
Blnkhead, Major ClOus, Jndge-Adyocate-
General Of the Army, and General :. W.
Crawford. who commanded the Pennsylya-
MIA Reserves in this battle.
The following telegram was received by
General LOngstreet tonight:
d" Washington, ID. o., Juiy2.-Your friend
and comrade has gone 10 join the heroic
columns OF American soldiers in the land OF
the leal but his widow and son greet you
upon the field which was consecrated by the
blending OF the blood OF brave men.
mrs PICKETT"