The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-07-12

which was done with WILL for in 10 minutes
they had fired $4,000 shots. The rebels replied
and killed about half the Sharpshooters, but
the survivors kept up their fire to such an ex-
tent that the rebels thought they were opposed
by at least division of Union troops. By this
manuver Berdan caused a delay of about 40
minutes, which enabled the Union forces to
prevent tue movement planned by Lee for,
when Longstreet swept around to the lower
part of the ground where Sickles's lines were
formed, he was too late, the key to the position
being occupied by Sickles's Corps.
Longstreet said to Lee: g We had better
withdraw" Lee said: No, the enemys prin-
cipal force is on the right near Culp's Hill.
We can get to our place before they can be re-
inforced. Let us get to Round Top and we are
safe" They attacked Sickles's 10000 men with
10000, and the Union troops were driven back,
after a stubborn contest, into the Wheatield
There they met reinforcements from Culp's
Hill. The Wheatfeld soon became whirl-
pool of battle. 1t was here that Sickles lost
his leg.
The struggle in this Wheatfield began lit
tie after o'clock p. m. and lasted about an
hour After this attack and repulse, Gen.
Hancock took off his hat, and, while hopping
his brow with q handkerchief, exclaimed :
Great God What would have happened but
for the SharpShooters ?"
Longstreet himself said that if Berdan had
delayed him for only 80 minutes instead of 40
his army would not have been repulsed. That
five minutes saved the day for the Army of
the Potomac All the Generals who to day
went over the field declared that the spot where
Berdan attacked LOngstreet was the turning
point of the war Longstreet especially gives
this as his opinion, for he said If we had
got around to Round Top we would have held
the key to the situation and could have cut
the Union force In two parts, which could not
help each other, and then by the force of a
l. L
At 4:30 p. N. the grand procession moved
out Baltimore street.-the road over which the
Union troops retreated after the terrible and
bloody struggle of the first day of the action
to the National Cemetery. The grand stand
had been erected in the Northern avenue.
Gen. Gibson, with two Aids, led the procession,
followed by the Artillery Band. After which
came the Regular troops, the artillery first
followed by the cavalry. COnternO'S Band of
60 pieces led the 9th n. Y. State Militia which
followed the cavalry, while the GAR. Posts
present followed, many Of them with drum
corps, the whole making noise, perhaps only
exceled by the din which % years ago was
made by the artillery of both armies.
At 5 o'clock Gen. Robinson introduced Gen.
Sickles, as presiding officer, who spoke as fol-
lows:
This assemblage marks an epoch. You are sur
v1vors of two great armies. You and your COM
rades fought here the decisive battle of long and
terrible civil war Twenty-Five years have passed,
and now the combatants of '63 come together again
on your old field of battle to unite in pledges of
love and devotion to one Constitution, one Union
and one flag. To-day there no yictors no van
pushed. As Americans we may all claim a com
mon share in the giOries of this battlefield, memo
rable for many brilliant feats Of arms. Nc stain
rests the colors Of any battalion battery or troop
that commended here for victory. Gallant Buford
who began the battle, and brave Pickett who
closed the struggle fifty represent the intrepid
hosts that for three days riYaled each other in titles
TO martial renown. Among the hundreds Of me
mortal structures this field there Is not one bear
ing an inscription that wounds the suscepubilites
OF an honorable and gallant foe.
Tins meeting is an historical event, We dedicate
here on this battlefield to-day altar sacred to
peace and tranquility and union. We SOW the
seeds of friendship between communities and
States and populations once hostile and now rec
onciled. We all share in tine rich harvest reaped
by the whole country-North and South, East and
West-from the America born on this battle
field, when the Republic consecrated her nstitu-
lions TO liberty and justice 1t is sometimes said
that 1t Is not wise TO perpetuate the memories of
civil war, and such the Roman maxim. But our
civil war was not conspiracy agains ruler; it
was not the plot Of a soldier TO Gust a rival from
power; it was not q pronunciamentO The conflict
OF 6l-5 was wnr of institutions, and systems, and
politics. II was revolution, ranking in iTnpOr-
lance with the French Revolution of the 18th CEN
fury, and with the English Revolution of the I7th
universal in the benefcent influence upon the des-
TIMES OF this country and ueffgceable in the foot
prints 1t made III the path OF National progress.
UNDYING MEMORIES.
The memories of such are as indestructible
az our civilization. The names of Lincoln and Lee
and Grant and Jackson can never be elfaced from
our annals. The valOr and fortilude aud achieve
ments of both armies never surpassed III any age,
demand a record IN American history, and now
that time and thought, common sense and common
interest," have sofIened all the auimOsltics of war,
may bury them forever, while we cherish and
perpetuate as Americans the immortal heritage of
honor belonging to a Republic that became imper-
lshable when 1t became free. The OF 81 to 50
was our heroic age. It demonstrated the vitality
of Republican institutions. it illustrated the mar
tiaI sDiTIt and and a he
can soldier and sailor. 1t was a war in which SEN
timents and ideas dominated interests. The lavish
sacrifices Of blood and treasure the unyielding
nacity of the eOmbatants, the eonstancy and firm
ness of the people Of both sides men and women,
old and young, rich and poor signalized the great
conHlet as the heroic age OF tile itSpubllc We now
see that the obstinacy of the both sides
compelled settlement of all the elements of dis
union between the North and the South. An ear
lier peace might have been mere truce, to be
followed by recurring hostilities We fought
until the furnace of war melted all dscords and
nodded US in one homogeneous Nation.
Let US all be devoutly thankful that God has
spared us to witness and to share the blessings be-
slowed by Providence upon our country, and the
compensation for countless sacrifices made to es-
tabIish a just and firm foundation q Govern
mcnt of the people, by the people, and for the peo-
pie. For myself rejoice that am here to-day to
meet so many comrades and many foes and TO
unite with all of you in pledges of friendship and
fraternity And now / ask you one and all the
survivors of the blue and the gray to affirm with
one voice our unanimous resolve to maintain our
Union preserve our institutions and defend our
flag.
Gen. Gordon, of Georgia, then spoke, saying
that he greeted the old soldiers assembled upon
this occasion with far less trepidation than
he did III the early days Of July, 1858; he came
then, as now, to meet the soldiers of the Union
army. 1t would be useless to attempt to de-
scribe the thoughts which now thrilled his
soul. The temptation was to draw the contrast
between scenes during the battle and those wit
messed here to-day. They meet to day as citi-
zens of a common country, with no break in
the line from Maine to Florida. Contrast this
with the long lines of dusty humanity, which,
with bristling bayonets, surged against the
solid ranks here on this spot. They have now
met in good fellowship, each one vieng with
the other to do homage to the Union. The ma
ture of the pleasing duty assigned him pre-
Guided this, but there is one suggestion which
dominated his thoughts, and FOR which brief
indulgence was asked:
OF all the martial virtues the one which is moro
characteristic of the truly brave is the virtue OF
maguanimity. My farest earldom would give
to bid clan Alpine's cheftain live was the noble
sentiment attributed to Scotlands magnunimous
monarch as he stood gazing into the face of his
slain antagonist. That sentiment iInmortalized by
Scott III his musical and martial verse will associate
for all time the of Scotland's King with those
of the great spirits OF the past How grand the ex-
hbtions OF the same generous impulses that char
acterIze the victors upon this memorable field.
My fellow countrymen of the North, If | may be
permitted to speak for those whom | represent let
me you that in the profoundest depths of
their nature they reciprocae that generosity with
all the manness and sincerity of which brave
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