Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-09-20


Chairman and made fraternal speech. A
number OF others talked in similar vein,
and the occasion was very harmonious
one.
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn, September 49,
The preliminary meeting of the Chicka-
mauga Association was held at o'clock
this afternoon in mammoth tent erected
for the occasion. The big tent was deco
rated by the ladies of the city, the wives
and daughters of soldiers of both sides.
The tent was opened first to the.old soldiers
of the Army of the Cumberland and men,
bers Of the Grand Army of the Republic,
who were given front seats, there being fully
$500 of them.
These were followed by a long line of ex-
Confederate soldiers, 1000 strong, headed
by the United States Seventh Regiment
Band, from Atlanta, and as the boys in
gray entered the great tent to the enlivening
strains of the "Star Spangled Banner" the
immense throng of people rose to their feet
and long cheer followed for the old Con-
federate soldier, which was responded to
With "rebel yell" and a grand hurrah for
the old flag.
A NOTICEABLE FEATURE.
There was general intermingling of old
soldiers, the Confederates being sandwiched
in among the old Federals. This circum-
stance attracted general attention. The
meeting had been called to organize
memorial association, composed of old Fed
eral and ex-Confederate soldiers, for the
purpose of purchasing the ground of the
Chickamauga battlefield and converting it
into national park, dedicated to the men,
ory of the soldiers of both armies who were
engaged on that bloody field.
Rev. j. w. Bachman, an ex-Confederate
chaplain, of this city, offered feryent
prayer, invoking the blessings of the
Almighty on the movement about to be
made to cement and bind the hearts of the
old soldiers together.
Captain J. F. Shipp, Commander of N.
B. Forrest Camp, ex-Confederate veterans, of
this city, nominated General w. S. Rose
Grams as Chairman in fitting speech, in
which he alluded to the General as the hero
Of Chickamauga. Amid uproarious ap-
plause the General was chosen.
ENTIRELY UNPRECEDENTED.
General Rosecrans, on accepting the
Craftsmanship of the meeting, said:
This occasion is one which you will look
through history in vain to find second. To-
day, 26 years ago, began that great and bloody
battle of Chickamauga, within IL miles of this
place, and the survivors of that battle, both
the blue and the gray, and the people who to-
day enjoy the fruits which grew out of that
battle, are assembled together to consider how
they shall make it a national memorial ground,
which the people at all times shall come and
visit with the interest due to the greatness of
the events which occurred on that sanguinary
field.
One of the most noble features to me of this
occasion is this: 1t is very difficult to find in
history an instance where contending parties
in after years meet together in perfect amity.
1t took great men to win that battle; but it
takes greater men still, will say morally great,
TO wipe away the all ill-feeling which naturally ]
grows out of such contest. [Applause.l
interest, and that is that there has been no
time since the war when the people of the
South, through the noble sentiments of the
survivors and the respect felt by all for the
men who fought and fell in their cause. could
Systematically undertake to commemorate the
deeds they performed and to
KEEP ALIVE THEIR MEMORIES
by the erection of monuments, without incurr-
ing the complaint of the newspaper press that
they were keeping up the memories of the war
and feelings of hatred which ought 10 perish as
peace returns. On the soil of Georgia both the
blue and the gray can unite in obtaining con-
troll over the battle ground laying out roads
and marking sights where men entitled in their
tion may have monuments erected to their
memories; where organizations who choose to
do so may put up monuments to the herolsm
displayed on those fields without criticism and
with rather the feeling of comradeship.
That, to me, is a very noble thing, and be-
lieve that the spirit that brings you here on
this occasion and the foundation upon which
your views rest, conspire to produce a result
yery wonderful indeed. You will be told
great many things by those who will follow
me, to show how strong the foundation of our
expectation is that we are commencing ma
tional event at this meeting this.afternoon. AS
/ am quite untitled for public speaking and
heartily detest the task, think what have
said will be enough to show to you how thank
full am to be with you, and be called upon to
preside over this meeting.
FRATERNAL SPEECHES.
After some spirited music, General Fl. V.
Boynton, of Washington, was introduced as
one of the leading spirits in inaugurating
this grand movement. General Boynton
expressed the belief that the next Congress
would hear the petition of the old soldiers
of both sides, and would rescue the old
battlefield from the ownership OF private
parties, and dedicate it to the perpetuation
of the memory of the heroic bravery and
fortitude of American soldiery. He said
that in the battle of Chickamauga 33T per
cent of both armies was lost, over 81, 900 men
being killed, missing and captured.
General Boynton's address was the key
note of the occasion, and the old soldiers
stood up and yelled for the Chickamauga |
ton, Ex-Governor Albert S. Marks, of |
responded on behalf of the ex-
Confederates of the South, strongly urging |
the organization of the association. Gen
eral Marks address was eloquent and |
and was frequently interrupted |
by applause.
Ex-Governor Marks created slight sem
sation when, turning to General Rosecrans,
be characterized him as the greatest mill |
tary genius of the war on the Federal side, |
and gave him credit for the victory of the |
battles around Chattanooga.
THANKFUL COLONEL.
General Marks was followed by Colonel
W. A. Henderson, of Knoxville, and ex-
who thanked God for the re-
union of the blue and gray. Colonel Hen
1erson alluded TO the results of the war by
saying that the South was the greatest vic
.or of the two sections. Slavery had been
abolished and the dignity of labor had been
established. The young men Of the South
had learned to work, and were glad of it.
"You boys in blue" said the Colonel,
won tne lawsuit between Tue Ooutu anu
the North, but we got the mule"
Colonel Henderson was warmly and en-
applauded by all. General
Henry M. Cist, Secretary ofthe Army Of the
cumberland, begged all old soldiers to use
their influence with their Congressman,
Senators and State Legislators to further the
interests of the organization. A general
pandshaking followed between old soldiers,
600 of whom were in and about the tent.
Tomorrow a permanent organization will
be effected.