The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-09-13
GRANT MEMORIAL BATTERY.

The following from a Boston paper
will be read with a special interest by
every intelligent patriot of the country,
and especially those who attended and
took part in the re ent grand encamp-
ment of the Grand Army of the Republic
in Boston:
Commander-in-C Chief General Veazey
distinguished himself and the half mil.
rliOn men he represents by inseparably
linking that veteran order with Bunker
Hill and its famous associations by his
first official act in naming the beautiful
battery of S-inch guns on SOmerville
Heights, overlooking CharIeStown and
Boston, THE Grant Memorial Battery"
This unique act deserves more than
passing notice. No wonder that the hero
of Gettysburg felt inspired by a cluster
of historic memories around him. for
from these heights he looked upon a
magnificent view of Bunker Hill and
Boston, Mystic river. on which once lay
the British warship: the route of Paul
Reveres memorable night ride,
and to the rear the old powder house on
the to road Lexington and Concord. with
Cambridge on the south and its old elm
tree under which Washington took COM
mand of the American forces.
The battery itself. in complete working
order, built according to plans of Colonel
i. w. Parker. of the regular army.
marks and preserves a portion of the old
earthwOrks thrown up by General lsreal
Putnam troops Immediately after or on
the night of the battle of Bunker Hill.
and which Washington held and used
until the enemy was driven from Boston
harbOr.
The guns were used by General Grant
during the great civil war, the bill deliv-
ering them signed by him as president.
and later, during the day of the generals
funeral, a mounful roar shook the hills
from sunrise till sunset, as their iron
Threats rang ont in half hour salutes to
the nations dead leader.
The battery thus emphatically COM
memorates two great wars. and standing
on its ramparts, Communicated ief
Neazev exclaimed: Il determined to
inaugurate my administration by nam
ing this battery and in behalf and by
the authority of 450. 600 men. veterans of
the Grand Army of the Republic, the
Grant Memorial Battery
This deClar itiou General NeaZev re-
peated as a text for his address before
the mayor Of Boston. state officials. Abra-
ham Lincoln Posts of CharlestOwn and
California. and BoSworth Post of Maine,
at a reception given at CharleStOwn the
same day under the shadow of Bunker
Hill
The city Of Somerville. formerly part
of CharleStown. has expended thousands
of dollars on the battery and surround
ing park. but no name or formal dedica-
ton had ever been given this rare relic
of the war. Like grim SEN
tinel it waited for the silent gath
ing of the tattered battle flags. for the
tramp Of men who once caused the ma
tions Of the earth 10 tremble. and for the
salute and touch of the chieftain To he
unanimously chosen on its own historic
ground and within range of its own guns
The browning moment came a. Boston
opened wide its gates 20 the mighty
army OF battle-Scarred veterans, and al
the close Of the national enCampment
Commander-In-Ch ief Neazey drove over
the route OF Paul Revere's 10 SomervilIa
heights 10 lnauEurate his administration.
and by a graceful and his inst official &c,
most appropriately named and forever
dedicated this conspicuous and enduring
monument with an audience behind hlm
Of half million men,