Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-09-13

a Jay a. and such an idea is, I suppose, al
P Inae the ordinary excursionist desires
i pu. the student of history who wonld
~; Iecome familiar with the battle in ali
aus "DETAILS must repeat his visits. For
Cue cue, late had decreed that, though NV
a nlse acquaintance with this historic
spo. should be limited to that one sim.
ny day, yet subsequently I spent more
!nan IN Two years in the immediate yic;n.
NY; mus had opportunities for visits
as frequent as my interest in the Mace
prompted. I received much ;nfdr ,moe
1lon' TOO, from persons whom I met
y, VINO mad been eye-witnesses of the hat.
eie' and to the recital of whose "ex-
perlences" l was ever On enthusiastic
and fascinated listener.
=, VI the great Importance of the bat
Tie OF Gettysburg every intelligent
schoolboy and schoolgirl in America
KNOWS: Like Waterloo and Marathon.
and Flodden's fatal field, it has taken
Its place in history. The obscure coun-
try town has grown into worldwide re-
nown. Every summer it is visited by
thousands Of tourists. It is the Mecca
toward which veterans of the war love
to direct their footsteps. Here they
come to relive in memory the far diff
terent scenes of the past. The men
who Wore the blue and they who wore
the gray meet here again, in love and
good fellowship, loyal sons of a re-
united country. And where could be
found more fitting spot for such re-
union?
In one particular Gettysburg differs
from all other battlefelds the num-
Der OF monuments and commemorative
tablets that the survivors have erected
to the memory of the gallant dead.
Thus the study of the Union positions
is made comparatively easy.
Although Gettysburg, now of his
toric fame, would never have been
known to the world at large had it not
been for the deadly encounter of two
great armies that took place there, yet
it Yields certain quiet though none
the less effective influence, for it is
the seat of Pennsylvania College,
founded by Thaddeus Stevens, as we'll
as OF theological seminary of the
Lutheran Church. These are flourish
ing institutions, and they have left
their impress upon the town, as may
be seen in the refined and cultured
people one meets among it's citizens.
The battlefield of Gettysburg is a
comprehensive term embracing the
town and adjoining country for several
miles around. Indeed, the great area
of the field is, to stranger, one of it's
most astonishing features. The face of
the country is, for the most part, roll
ing. although hills and ridges of mod
crate height abound. These ridges
run north and south. The most west
ern Of these is called Seminary Ridge.
Running parallel to this, and about
three-quarters of mile to the east, is
Cemetery Ridge, at the north foot of
which lies the town of Gettysburg.
At the southern extremity of Cemetery
Ridge is Round Top, an abrupt peak
about two hundred feet high. In front
of this lies gorge bearing the signif-
cant appellation of Devils Den, which
consists of immense powders piled up
into all sorts Of fantastic shapes and
crowded into narrow ravine; it was
fayorite and most effective lurking
place for the Confederate sharpshooters.
A curve of Cemetery Ridge, where
it turns to the north and east, is called
Culp's Hill. Here there was ire
mendous fighting. This hill was
thickly wooded, and hundreds Of trees
We're killed by the storm Of shot and
and shell. Many that survive to this
day bear marks of battle. All these
points, as well as the historic peach
orchard and Spangler's Spring, in
whose cooling water friend and foe
alike slaked his thirst, the tourist,
even if he has but day at his com
mand, will wish to visit.
But the great central point of in
terest is the Soldiers National Gene
terry, one of the eighty-two consecrated
spots where repose the nations dead.
In the number of its interments this
cemetery ranks among the smallest,
having about 1000; the dead of each
State and of the regular army are
buried in separate lots, arranged in
rows in semicircle. Upon the low
granite headstone that marks each
grave are placed the name and rank of
the occupant, when known.
The beautifully kept grounds con-
tain seventeen acres: they are inclosed
by handsome, well-built wall, sur
rounded on the inside by row of
evergreen trees, tall and stately. There
are tracks for vehicles and walks for
pedestrians; seats are scattered here
and there, SO that the sight-seer may
rest and muse at will.
The first thing that meets the eye as
one enters the cemetery is bronze
statue of General Reynolds. The hand
some, resolute face is turned toward
that part of the field to which the
Confederates were advancing, when
bullet from the gun Of sharpshooter
suddenly ended the career Of one OF
Pennsylvania bravest and truest sons.
The right hand, hanging carelessly at
his side, holds field glass; the left
grasps the hilt of his sword.
Passing on, one comes to the most
conspicuous object in the cemetery, and
one that is in many respects the most
interesting-the National Monument.