The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1889-04-10
GOING TO GETTYSBURG.
TO ASSIST IN Defeating MICH-
CAMS MONUMENTS.

The Formalities VIII Occur Juno liable
and Interesting Report of the Doings OF
tine Monument -Michigan's
Heroes VIII he Honored.
LANSING special dispatchl
Gov. Luce presided Mt a meeting held
in this city to perfect arrangements for
the dedication of the Michigan monu-
ments at Gettysburg. In addition to the
members OF the commission appointed TO
supervise the erection of the monuments
Col. Geo. G.. Briggs of this city, Mai.
Geo. w. Crawford of Rig Rapids, and
Capt. Peter Lennon of Lennon-the gem
tlemen present included Gen. Trowbridge.
Maj. f. $. Shook, Qusrtermaster Gen.
Daboll, Adjt. Gen. Anger, Gen. Par
fridge, Col. s. $. Matthews, Capt Boil
gor, Gen. Pierce, Capt Moore, Gen Pull
ford, Secretary of State Osmun, State
Treasurer Maltz, Auditor General Alpin,
and Representatives o. S. Smith and
Curtis. Several of those commanded
Michigan regiments during the battles at
Gettysburg. Col. Briggs, as Chairman
or the Commission, presented the fol-
lowing report:
This meeting Is the result OF events that oc-
The nvasion Of the North by the confederete
army in 1863 led 10 the great battle OF Gettys-
burg, which, by reason of the magnitude Of the
cOnulcL ana the great Issue AT STAKE Is DIV COIN
mon consent regarded as the turning point of
the war, the high mark OF the rebellion"
For three days nearly 100000 men were locked in
the death-grapple of battle, and some AZ, 900 of
this vast number either killed wounded or
captured. The interment there Of nearly 4, 900
dead led to the conservation and use OF por-
! ton OF the field rs n National Cemetery-at the
dedication Of which President Lincoln delivered
address that like its author, is immortal.
To Massachusetts belongs the honor Of inau-
gurating the plan for marking with monuments
the position OF the troops in this battle, having
been the first State 10 thus mark the field where
her sons died that the Government might live.
Other States followed the patriotic example thus
set and SO to-day Gettysburg is the best marked
and therefore the most interesting battlefield in
the world.
Michigan, by reason OF her costly sacrifice in
fiyes stands conspicuous in the records of this
great conflict. But two States suffered more.
and in proportion she stands first in the number
slain.
If by gallant deeds and heroic deaths upon
this great battlefield her citizen soldiers reflect
cd great credit upon the State, the common
wealth in return has generously contributed to
do them honor and perpetuate their fame. For
the improvement Of the National Cemetery at
Gettysburg, Michigan contributed the sum of
5000, and keeping step with other loyal States,
she made provisions in 1887 for erecting monu-
ments TO her troops that were there engaged
The act making the appropriation for these mon
unents provided for the appointment Of three
commissioners TO carry the same into effect. BY
courtesy OF Gov. Luce, Geo w. Crawford OF Big
Rapids, Peter Lennon of Lennon, and Geo. q.
Briggs of Grand Rapids, were appointed as such
commissioners.
The labors of the board are now nearly COM
pleted, and IL was for the purpose OF lmparttng
this and other information TO those interested
that you were invited TO meet here The monu-
ments are in place, with the exception OF three,
and these are well under way. 1t will be safe,
therefore, TO name date for their formal dedi-
cation upon any day after June next
The act under which the commits sion was APP
pointed provided that from the amount appro-
priated so 900, there should be paid follows !:
To the Battlefield Memorial Association, 5000;
compensation to the commissioners for their
services all expenses incurred by the board,
including clerk hire. These items permitted u
serious encroachment upon the fund If INDUCED
to the limit allowed They were reduced TO the
minimum, as will be shown.
! After correspondence and personal interviews
with the officers Of the Gettysburg Battlefield
Memorial Association, that body accepted - 500
as being satisfactory, and for which we received
u conveyance in writing for all rights and privi-
leges needed by our state 70 fully protect her
interests. Members OF the commission cheer
fully voted TO give their services without COM
pensation. and in the same spirit the Chairman
Of the Board has performed the duties of tho
secretary, thereby saving the amount required
/ IL n clerk had been employed.
The saving TO the fund as above indicated en-
abled the board 70 apportion TO each OF the
/ eleven regiments for monuments the sum OF
1880; 10 the battery al 900 and to the four COM
/ panies OF sharpshooters $500
/ 1t is hoped the results of this labor may be-
/ satisfactory. The commissioners feel the work
might have been assigned TO ADLER hands, but
none could have been more devoted or given
I more CONSCIENTIOUS Efforts TO 1tS discharge.
The expenses OF the board TO date have been
/ less than 500, and il is believed no Board of
/ Commissioners Of any State ever performed a
/ similar work at so small cost.
With this brief report submitted the board
is now ready 10 join in the deliberations of this
meeting
A discussion as TO the best date for
defeating the thirteen monuments ended
in the selection of Wednesday, June IL.
1t was decided that it would be impos-
sill IN a Cor al nf
cises at Gettysburg at present, and Gen.
| Trowbridge, Col. Matthews, and Gen.
Pierce were appointed a Committee on
Programme.
Gen. Daboll was appointed Chairman
of the Committee to Secure Transporta-
ton Rates, with power to select two other
members of the committee.
A discussion as to whether the State
should pay the transportation and subsist-
ence of the survivors of the Gettysburg
fight during the trip revealed the fact that
the appropriation of IS, 900 asked of the
Legislature for the dedicatory exercises
would be inadequate under any circum-
stances, and it was decided 10 ask that the
amount be increased to $4,000. General
Partridge, Representative Curtiss, and
Captain Bolger we're appointed as a COM
mittee to labor with that end in view. 1t
was decided to leave with the Governor
in great degree the method Of disposing
of the sum asked for.
The Governor and his staff, as many of
the survivors of the great battle as can go,
other veterans, and number of invited
guests will constitute the excursion to
Gettysburg in June. The proper commit
tee will issue about 10, 900 handsome pro-
grammes.
OTHER STATE NEWS.
Lines to n Lady Inspcctor-Things That