Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-09-12
GEN. PEARSON'S SPEECH.
The Pittskurg Hero Of the Gallant 155th
Delivers the OraIion Defeating Their
Monument - Glowing Words to


GETTYSBURG, September 1.-THE speech
of General A. L. Pearson, of Pitrsburg, the
orator and historian of the gallant One
Hundred and Fifty-ffth Zouaves, was re-
markable In many respects. In number
OF the actions where the fame Of the regl-
ment was won, he was its commander.
Bates history speaks in the highest terms
OF his conspicuous gallantry on many fields;
but In his speech the personal pronoun L
did not occur single time. 1t was as II ne
felt that his old comrades knew his record.
He seemed content with that, disdainlng
self exaltation. In opening he said;
1t has been well said that from the beginning
the living have paid homage to the virtues OF
the dead: for immortality is the dream OF man.
Scarce city, town or village but contains some
monument designed to perpetuate the memory
of one who has passed from earth Mountains
have been excavated, pyramids built, temples
have been erected, and granite, marble and
bronze shaped into every conceivable form to
give expression to honor, respect, affection and
love for some dead hero-warrior, statesman OF
philosopher. These earthly tributes can be OF
no service to the dead, but
THEY FORM LASTING RECORDS
of deeds held honorable among men; estrong
incentives to noble acts in the present. and
mark steady progress toward that better con-
dition which is the ultimate destiny of the hu-
man race" How aptly these words, ringing
with the natural eloQuence of a high and noble
SPIRIT fit this occasion. as they will fit all ucca-
sions where brave men, living, assemble to
honor the memory of heroic men, dead. You
are here to-day to formally dedicate to the
memory of your fallen comrades this beautiful
monument.
A fter a hrief allusion to THAR exneriences
at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville and to
the brigading of the One Hundred and Fifty
fifth with Sykes's regulars, the General pressed
forward to that period of the regiments his
tory embraced in the action at Gettysburg.
The General said: Meade, Pennsylvania
noble son, your gallant corps commander, has
takes the corps, and Roman b. Ayres, your
splendid brigade commander, assumes COM
mand of the division, while Weed, the dashing
soldier. is placed in command of the brigade.
Northward still you go, and on July you
hear the distant sound of battle. The gallant
Reynolds has met the enemy at Gettysburg
and knowing that he is fighting on the sacred
soil OF his own State, he, with his accustomed
boldness to attack, did not hesitate as to his
duty or wait for instructions. The battle was
on. The first corps had pushed through the
town intending to occupy the hill on the west
side, when it
ENCOUNTERED THE ENEMY
in strong force. Reynolds quickly rode for |
ward to change the position of his batteries, |
but at that moment the rebel infantry ad- |
Vanced and charged upon the guns. no doubt |
expecting to capture them. Reynolds saw the |
movement, and at once put himself at the head |
Of Wadsworths division to direct and encour- |
age the troops. His conspicuous gallantry
made him a prominent mark for the deadly |
bullet, and he fell, shot through the neck, and |
died before he could be taken from the field
Even there where heroism was the rule, his
conduct TPSDlendeQt lnSteT
bravery.
General Doubleday assumed command and |
led the corps forward and repulsed the enemy
IN gallant charge, but his success was of
short duration, for Hill had pushed forward
and displayed his entire command in front of
The first corps. Although Lee had over $1,000
who had command of all the Union troops at
The front, and thus the first days battle was
ended.
The morning of the ID was spent in bringing
up the artillery and awaiting the arrival of
Sedgwick's s corps. who arrived, after a march |
Of 80 miles, at about o'clock. The other corps
had arrived before daylight. Slocum's Twelfth
corps was on the right, Newton with the First
On the right centre, the Eleventh in the centre, |
Second on the left centre the Third
On the left and the Fifth, under Sykes, held in
reserve, while the Sixth was moving up towards
she left.
WHAT THEY HAD TO MEET.
Lee had concentrated his army at Gettys-
,urg Ewen was posted on the left opposite
Slocum, Hill in the center and Longstreet on
he right. At about O'Clock everything was
eady for the attack. A furious artillery fire
vas opened on the Third corps, and Long
treets men in gray began to come out of the
woods and advance against the front and flank
II General Sickles in solid masses The des- |
,eraIe attack being observed the Fifth Corps,
which lew days before Meade had com
handed IN person, was pushed forward, and
sykes found his line on the left of Hancock |
ms furlous onslaught caused Sickles' CORDS to |
all oack, followed by the rebel column which
'oon came under the fire of Hancock's guns.
winch began terrific discharge of shell and
anister. Defying death, on they came almost
o the muzzles of the guns.
While this terrible conflict was in propress
" arren, seeing the vital necessity of hoidjno |
title Round Top, ordered two of his batteries
nd Weeds brigade to double quick to that
Important point
1t was there and then that the One Hundred
nd F1fty-nfth achieved immortality. There
hey enshrined themselves in glory. that will
ever fade while love for patriotic valor lives
4 the human heart With a heroism that
lade every man Titan they accomplished. in
be teeth OF fate what to men less brave or
etermlned, would have been the impossible.
HOW MUCH IT RECALLS.
Gettysburgl What memories cluster around
lat word! The great turning battle of the
ebellion-the battle where thousands of brave
zen, nghtlng Ior country, for law. for govern
ent, for constitution, for right, for freedom
'r humanity, gave their hearts blood that the |
amer of their country should be unsullied. |
nd always wave in undiminished glory.
Gettysburg made forever historic by Penn |
lvania's heroes, Meade, Reynolds, Hancock.
ou stand upon the spot to-day comrades that
hallowed by the blood of Weed, O'Rorke
Id Hazlett, and made sacred by the blood of
,ur comrades who fell fighting in defense of
e old flag. There the gallant Warren stood.
man whose character as a soldier and man |
as noble aud knightly, and for all ages he will
hrn md I'M nm olfnl 10
serene contemplation Of the field he helped h
win. =
A CONCLUDING APosTRoPHE. y
Here General Pearson enumerated 2 battles.
Il counting skirmishes too numerous to men
IN, in which the regiment participated down a