The Portland daily press., 1888-07-02
THE BLUE AND THE GREY UNITED.
on the Rockbound Hills of the Bat
tIefieId of Gettysburg.
Soldiers of the North Clasp Hands
With Men of the South.
General Longstreet's Vivid Descrip-
ton of the Great Conflict.

brightly on the battlefield today. All last
night the streets were crowded with visitors,
some seeking lodgings and others cut for
good time. All today trains have been ar
irving until the streets are filled with mass
of humanity. Boarding and lodging are at
the highest possible premium At 1870 the
veterans formed and escorted by the Frank
fort band, marched to the National Ceme-
terry and through this to the vine-clad ros-
trum where the religious services were held,
The service was unusually impressive.
When Chaplain Sayers finished his sermon,
more than thousand voices joined in sing
ing America"
In the evening the usual dress parade was
observed. Immediately after the parade
sacred song service was held and the band
gave the usual evening concert. The camp
presents charming appearance 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 p. Reynolds
farm was crowded at 2 p. m. with carriages
and pedestrians on the way to witness the
exercises Of the First Corps. Just as the
strains of the band leading the procession Of
prominent men who were to take part in the
exercises were heard coming over from
Seminary Hill, the platform, which was
crowded, gave way with crash and dropped
to the ground The fall was but two feet
and no one was injured.
By the time order had been restored, the
procession was entering the woods and the
cannon of the u. s. Light Battery thundered
forth a calufq tn Gov RQauQr Riobnn paf
ten opened the exercises with an eloquent
prayer and then Major Il. j. Halstead, presi-
dent of the association of the First Corps
introduced Gov. James A. Beaver, who
John c. Robinson, of New York, resting on
his crutches, responded in behalf of the
carps. Frederick Smith, war governor of
New Hampshire, followed with a short ad-
dress. Major Halsted then called for Gov.
A. G. Curtis, but he was not present. Ow-
ing to the absence of j. Gregory Smith and
Frederick Holbrook, both the war governors
of Vermont, Gov. Ormsbee made brief re-
sponse. 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.
Col. l.. A. Grant, who commanded the
First Vermont Brigade in the Sixth Corps,
next made few pointed remarks. Major
Halstead then called upon 8. Veezy. judge
of the Supreme court of Vermont who COM
manded the 10th regiment of Stanward's
brigade during the battle. He made a stir
ring address, and remarked that he was the
worst scared man in the 10000 who went
into the battle of Gettysburg, but was not as
badly scared as at present.
When Major Halstead mentioned the
name of Longstreet, the General was given
arOusing reception He said: Il was not
in time to witness any part of the engage
ment of the first day of Gettysburg but am
pleased to be here in time to witness these
ceremonies and express the sympathy that
should go cut 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
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 culminat-
ing moment and resolved to resist the ad-
vancing column with firmness that was
justified by the strong ground upon which
fortune cast their lives? Amidst the for
midable surroundings of these rock bound
slopes and nights, reinforced by balls of lead
and iron and ribs of steel and American
yalor, 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 and arrested in its march of triumph
and forced to stand and retreat, but not for
want of gallantry and forttude. The battle
Of the second day by McLane'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 work to upheaye the noun
tain. That fight of the third day by Pick
ett's division and Trimble's, marching 100
yards under IRE OF 100 cannon and 10000
musketry has no parallel nor is likely to
haye in the annals of war. This battle
scene recurs to my mind with vivid force.
The gallant Pickett at the head of my own
old division, and Trimble of an even bear
inO lilra cOl1iQrc nara0p hoI6iDO THAR
men to their desperate mark, the set features
of the veteran brigadiers, Armstead Garrett
and Hemper, vigilant of their COM
pact files. the elastic step, of the
expressed pleasure in their opportunity
marked a period that should fill the measure
of 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 face,
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 the sacrifice some
times demanded by armies arrayed for bat
tie. But times have changed and % years
have sOftened the usages of war. Those
frowning heights have giver over their saw
age tones and our meetings for the exchange
of blows and broken bones are left in more
congenial days, for friendly greetings, for
covenants of tranquil repose Ladies are
here to grace the serene occasion and quicken
tentiment that draws us nearer together.
God bless them and help that they may dis
pei the delusions that came between the peo-
Pile and make the land as the bride at the
coming of the bridegroom"
Mr.. Fairchild was next introduced. He
said 25 years made it possible to sandwich
Yankee between Yankee Doodle
and Dixey. The men of the North
did not love the men of the South
more. The men of the South did not love
the old flag less but loved their States more.
This, Mr., President" said the speaker, Il
think, tells the whole story. The old flag
still remains, [Cries of Amen and they all
say amen from the Gulf to the Lakes"
Professor Williams, representing Governor
Sprague, of Rhode Island, followed, and
after him the assemblage was addressed by
members and other persons of prominence in
the First Corps and, at about o'clock, the
meeting broke up and the crowd dispersed.
During the day the SD and other New York
regiments dedicated monuments on the bat
tlefeld. Orlando b. Porter delivered the
address of the SD regiment exercises
Wisconsin and New Jersey dedicated their
monuments and conducted the exercises yes
terday.