The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-07-02
GETTYSBURG'S REUNION.
MEMORIAL SERVICES ON THE BAT
TLEFIELD YESTERDAY.

IL6P161IO GOlGR I.
Gov. Beavers Address of Welcome
Received With Cheers-Impressive
Scenes-Gen. Longstreet Makes an
Eloquent Address-He Pays a Noble
Tribute to the Soldiers of Both Ar
mics Engaged in that Desperate
Battle.
GETTYSBURG, PA, July 1.-The sun
which broke through the rain clouds yes
terday shed its rays in no mean quantity
en- the battlefield to-day, but its ferceness
was tempered by gentle breeze, and save
the monuments nothing showed that this
was the scene of the pivotal battle of the
civil war. All last night the streets were
crowded with visitors, some seeking
lodging and others out for a good
time. All day trains have been
arriving until the streets are
filed with a mass of humanity, and board
ing and lodging are:at.the highest possible
premium. At 1880 o'clock this morning
the veterans formed, and led by the Frank
ford band, marched across the road to the
national cemetery and on through this to
the vine-clad rostrum, where religious SER
vices were held.
AN IMPRESSIVE SCENE.
The scene was unusually impressive, and
when Chaplain Sayres had finished his SER
mon more than thousand voices Joined in
singing America"
In the evening the usual dress parade was
observed, and it recalled most vividly the
scenes of the battle, and more eyes than one
were wet with tears at the remembrance of
the dead comrades who had marched in the
same line.
Immediately after the parade sacred
song service was held, and the band gave
the usual evening concert.
The camp presents q charming appear
ance tonight, with the numerous electric
lights brilliantly illuminating it and little
knots of veterans gathered before each tent
discussing the great conflict and the part
they played in it.
At 3 O'Clock the road from the town to
REYNOLDS grave was crowded 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
THE PLATFORM GIVES WAY.
As the strains of the band leading the
procession Of prominent men who were to
take part in the exercises was heard COM
ing over the brow of Seminary hill, Capt
Pond of Wisconsin, walked up to Gen.
Longstreet, who was sitting on the front of
the platform, and whispered to
him, General. come quietly with
me, think the platform is
giving away" The General at once walked
off and a second afterwards with crash
the supports gave way and the structure
dropped to the ground. The fall was but
two feet, and, fortunately, no one was in
jured. By the time order had been restored
the procession was entering the woods and
the canon of the United States light bat
terry thundered forth a salute to Gov.
Beaver.
AN OLD-TIME CHEER.
AS the governor appeared ON the pros
trate platform the crowd gave a cheer such
as these woods have not heard since the
same day twenty-five years ago.
Bishop Potter made a most eloquent
prayer. Mai e. p. Holstead, president of
the association of the first corps, in a few
words, introduced Gov. James A. Beaver,
who delivered the address of welcome.
Ex-Gov. John c. Robinson of New York,
resting on his crutches, then responded in
behalf of the corps.
Addresses were made by Frederick Smith,
war governor of New Hampshire, E. j.
Ornsbee, governor of Vermont Col. L. A.
Grant and Judge W. G. Kelsey of Vermont
GEN. LoNGsTREET's ADDRESS.
sid:
Mr.. Chairman, Soldiers, Gentlemen and
Friends:
/ was not in time to witness any part of
the engagement Of the first day of Gettys-
burg, but am pleased to be here in time to
witness the ceremony commemorating the
days Of honor of the army of the Potomac,
and to express tn " sympathy that should
go out from all hearts to those who know
IN "a hn of
who offer their lives on the altar of
their country. And who may better at
test the bravery of the defenders of
Gettysburg than those who breathed 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
aspirations of states sovereignty with the
firmness that it was justified by the strong
ground upon which fortune cast their
livesl
THE GAGE OF BATTLE.
Amidst these formidable surroundings,
these rock-bound slopes and heights rein
forced by halls of lead and iron and ribs of
steel and American valor, the gage of bat
tie was pitched, and here the great army of
the south, the pride and glory Of that sec
ton, found itself overmatched, arrested in
its march of triumph and forced to stand
y ,
fortitude or faith. The battle of the second
day by McLaw's and Hoods divisions and
part of Anderson's, was as spir-
tied as some g. tho dashing
efforts of the first Napoleon, but before the
end it was found to be work to upheave
the mountain. That of the third day by
PickettS division and Trimble's, marching
1900 yards under the fire of hundred
cannon and ten thousand of musketry, has
no parallel, nor is it likely to have, in the
annals of war.
PICKETT AND TRIMDLE.
This battle scene recurrs to my mind
with vivid force The gallant Pickett at
the lend of my old division. and Trimble, of
ev9n bearing, like soldiers on parade
holding their men to their desperate
work; the set features Of
the veteran brigadiers Armstead, Garrett
and Kemper, vigilant of their compact
hles, the elastic steps of the tro 'ps, whose
half-concealed smiles expressed pleasure in
their opportuny, marked a period that
should fill the measure Of IA soldiers
pride. And well did they meet the
promise of their parting salutations with
that confidence that commands success,
where it is possible. Their hammered ranks
moved steadily on, till marching up face to
lace they fell, their noble heads at the feet
OF the foe who, standing like their own
brave hills, received with welcome the
Shock Of this well adjusted battle. Such is