Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1888-07-05
GETTYSBURG.
Reunion of the Veterans on the
Twenty-flfth Anniversary Of
the Battle.
How Sunday Was Observed-The Be.
ligi0us Exercises, Dedication Of,
Monuments, Etc.
General Longstreet's Fslioitous RsmEks-
Fsirchild Buriss the Hatchst-Move-
msnts of the Corps.

traiuS were arriving, untu at nlgnt the
streets were filed with mass of humanity.
The Ninth New York militia, accompanied
by band Of sixty pieces, came at eight
O'Clock and marched at once to their quar-
tiers on the lawn before the Springs Hotel,
where $50 tents had been pitched for them.
The members of the New York Excelsior
brigade, which will dedicate its monument
here in the morning, arrived little
later and the veteran corps from Washing
ton came at about twelve o'clock. At 10 80
the veterns formed and led by the Frank
fort band marched to the cemetery and on
through this to the vine clad rostrum where
religious services were held. When
Chaplain Sayres finished his sermon
more than thousand voices Joined in sing
ing 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 their dead comrades
iwho had marched in the same line. Imme-
diately after the parade came sacred
song service, after which the band gave
the usual evening concert. The camp pre-
scented charming appearance at night,
numerous electric lights brilliantly illum-
mating 1t and little knots Of veterans being
gathered before each tent discussing the
great conflict, and the part they played in
1t.
At two o'clock the road from town to Rey-
nolds Grove was crowded with carriages
and pedestrians on their way to witness
the exercises of the First corps. Just as
the strains OF the band leading the process
sion Of prominent men who were to take
part in the exercises was heard coming
over the brow Of Seminary hill Captain
Pond, OF Wisconsin, walked up to General
Longstreet, who was sitting on the front
OF the platform and whispered to him:
General, come quietly with me. / think
the platform is giving way" The General
at once walked of, and second afterward
with crash the supports gave way and
the structure dropped to the ground. The
fall was but two feet, and fortunately no
one was injured. By the time order had
been restored, the procession was entering
the woods and the cannon of the United
States light battery Numbered forth sa-
lutte to Governor Beaver. As the Governor
appeared on the prostrate' platform, the
crowd gave cheer such as these woods
have not heard since the same day twenty
five years ago.
: Bishop Potter made an eloquent prayer.
Major E. P. Halstead, president of the as
sociation Of the first corps in few words
introduced Governor James A. Beaver, who
delivered the address of welcome. E1-
Governor John Robinson, of New York,
resting on his clutches, then responded in
behalf OF the corps. Frederick Smyth.
the war Governor of New Hampshire,
made a short address Major Halstead
then called for Governor A. G. Curtin, but
he was not present and owing to the alb
sence of j. Gregory Smith and Frederick
.Holbrook, both war Governors Of Vermont,
the present executive Of that State, T. ].
0rmsbee, was called upon and made a
brief response, in which he said he had
come from Vermont to tell the boys of the
First corps how glad he was that he had
belonged to that glorious command. Col.
onel L. A. Grant, who commanded the First
Vermont brigade in the Sixth corps next
made few remarks. Major Halstead then
called upon W. G. Veasey, Judge of the Su.
preme Court of Vermont, who commanded
the Sixteenth regiment of STANDARDS
brigade during the battle, and made STIR
ring address, remarking that he was the
worst scared man in the 5000 men who
went into the battle of Gettysburg, but was
not as badly scared as at present.
When Major Halstead mentioned the
'nngstreet the General was given
name Oh .----. w" SAID: 81 was not
a rousing reception. no --~aoe-
in time to witness any part Of the epn-,
ment on the first day of Gettysburg, but
am pleased to be here in time to witness
these ceremonies and to express that SYM
pathy that should go out from all hearts to
those who know how to appreciate the con-
duct of soldiers who offer their lives on
the altar Of their country. The gauge of
battle was pitched and here the great army
Of the South, the pride and glory of that
section, found itself overmatched, arrested
in its march Of triumph and forced to stand
and to recoil, but not for want of gallantry,
fortitude or faith. The battle Of the sec
ond day 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 upheave the mountain. That
of the third day by Pickett's division and
Trimble's marching J, 200 yards under the
fire Of hundred cannon and ten thousand of
musketry has no parallel nor is likely to
have in the annals of war. This battle
scene recurs to my mind with vivid force.
But times have changed; twenty-five years
have softened the usages of war, their
browning heights have given over their
savage tones, and our meetings for the ex-
change of blows and broken bones are left
for more congenial days, for friendly
greetings and for covenants Of TRANQUIL re-
pose. The ladies are here to grace the oc-
casion and to quicken the sentiment which
draws US close together. God bless them
and grant that they may dispeI the de-
fusion that comes between them and the
people and make the land as blythe as a
bride at the coming Of the bridegroom
General Fairchild was next introduced.
He said twenty-five years had made it DOS
sible to sandwich Yankee and a Con-
between Yankee Doodle and Dixie.
The men Of the North did not love the men
of the South less, but they loved the old
dag more; and the men of the South did
not love the old flag less, but they loved
States sovereignty more.
This, Mr.. President" he concluded. 81
,hink, tells the whole story. The old flag
IT'LL remains (cries of "Amen') and thew
Ill say amen from the gulf to the lakes
Prof. Williams, representing Governor
5prague, Of Rhode Island, followed. After
him the assemblage was addressed by
numerous other persons of prominence in
he First corps, and at about five O'Clock
he meeting broke up and the crowd DIS
'ersed over the battlefield to inspect the
rarious memorials.
At fifteen minutes before five o'clock the
Ninth New York militia, Colonel William
seward commanding, acting as escorts to
he survivors Of the Eighty-thfrd New
York regiment, led the march toward the
monument of that command on Seminary
Ridge. As the column moved out the
pike. the thousand guards
q their blue uniform, with colors flying |
nd bayonets glistening IN the we stern |
un, the sight brought vividly to min d the |