Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-29

v1cKsBURG, May 2S.-The soldiers
search of the scenes oil their former glory,
and there being nothing on the programme
to require their presence in the city, the
streets were comparatively quiet until 3
P. M. At that hour large audience as
sembled at the pavilion to hear Hon. c. E.
Hooker and General Kountz e, the orators of
the day.
c. E. Hooker's address was one Of his
most finished orations. and won the hearty
applause of the entire assembly. While In
no respect apologetic, it vas a manly asser-
tion of the sincere faith of the South in the
justice of its cause, at the same time accord
ing the honesty of purpose to others.
TINES woNDRoUs CHANGES.
General Kountze, in reply, complimented
Colonel Hooker, and said he wished his re-
marks could be heard in every city in the
North. He then addressed the audience:
Comrades who wore the blue and comrades
who wore the gray, thank you more than
have words TO express for this generous recep-
tion. did not come here to make speech,
but to visit old scenes once more. to set foot
G9Sns sSnse SO svsnn ra%ar da5s 10 Of s
and which has been consecrated
by the blood of SO many brave men. How hard
to realize the swiftness of the flying years;
more than a quarter of a century has passed
since the blue and gray met in deadly conflict
upon the historic feds. am glad to be here
andthank God that there no serious differ
ences to divide us; that the terrible struggle in
which we we're participants ended in blessing
for all, vctors and vanquished, and rejoice in
the good feeling dominant here to-day,
that the love of country has grown SO
strong and the ties of union and friendship
have been SO firmly cemented that we who, q
years ago opposed each other upon the fields,
meet to-day with no feelings other than good
fellowship, save that of patriotism and the
love of our common country, the noblest and
freest under the sun.
vICKSBURG BATTLES RECALLED.
General Kountze then related at consider
able length thrilling incidents of the cam
paign on the Federal side in the vicinity of
Vicksburg. Preceding the final surrender,
he said:
need not tell you what pleasing sight were
those signals and what spectators we were as
we sat upon our works. July 4, 1868. witnessing
regiment after regiment and battalion after
to stack their arms in front of our
line That was the proudest day Of
our lives. as 1t marked the decisive point in
the great struggle for the preservation of the
before me, let me say that while not accepting
the principles for which you fought, l have
ever had the most profound respect for the
earnestness, valor and fighting qualities Of the
Confederate soldiers, who on many a hard
fought field displayed SO SO much endurance
and courage, and in conclusion. l desire to
say from the standpoint of the
soldiers, that too much credit can
not be given to the gallant
defenders of Vicksburg. thank God that he
permitted me to be here to-day and am sure
meetings of this kind must intensity our love
for and devotion to our common country.
Judge Frederick Speed delivered the
closing address of the day, and though
speaking very briefly, was very effective.
Tonight the fireworks were dis
charged from a barge an
chored in the lake and were
answered from the hills by the guns of the
Warren Light Artillery. The veterans of
the Confederacy banqueted the late soldiers
of the Union at the Southerners' armory
this evening. Tomorrow the city will be
deserted tor the battlefield of Port Gibson
and Champion Hill.