The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1892-06-22
A Trip Through the South and
over Battle Fields.

Below we publish an account Of tn
through the Southern States in a letter
from our old friend and former resident
Of Somerset Co, S. P. Sweitzer, PToprie-
tor Of the American Hotel, Cumberland
Nd. Nh. sWeitzer lea Somerset in jan
1852. and served in Co. G., 18th Pa. In
fantry, l4th Army Corps, Army Of the
Cumberland, and commanded by Gen
eral Rosencranz. In his trip through
the South he revisited the old battle
fields, an account Of which he gives be
low.
CUMBERLAND, No, May p, 1892.
MR. EDmoE:
We leff Cumberland on the Sth ol
Nav at $50 O'Clock A. n, and proceeded
by way Of Pittsburgh to Cincinnati, and
thence to Chattanooga, Tenn From
here We visited the battl efelds Of Chica-
rnauga and Lookout Mountain, the form
er Of which is situated about ten and the
latter two miles from Chattanooga. We
could readily see the evidences OF the
fearful strife that took place there during
the three days ofSept. 10Th, Goth and
2lst, 1868. The marks of the shell and
cannon shot are still visible upon the
forest trees, whose SCARED visage VIII
bear testimony Of that contest for ages
to come. It was here our friend Sweise
Of Somerset lost an arm and our regi-
ment was reduced to about forty effect
i've men. The landscape still beans IA
miliar resemblance, although much i'm
proyement has been made in the sur
roundings. Some Of the old breast
works that had helped to build still re-
main, monuments Of scenes We hope new
er to be repeated. We picked up mum
Der Of relics, such as bullets. pieces o.
shell, parts ofcanteens and cartridge box.
es, and recognized in adilapidated build
ing standing on the field, house We had
used rs a hospital after the battle.
We next visited Lookout Mountain
which we sscended by means Of an IN
c!ined plain which is $500 feet long and
attains an elevation Of 1850 feet the
most extensive If is claimed Of any in the
United States. On the summit Of the
mountain there is quite 8 large summer
resort, where several hotels Of the most
approved order are run at their full ca
lacity during the summer. Our accom-
panying artist took number Of photo
graphs from this Summit. The view be-
ing exceedingly fine, looking ont from
this lofty perch upon the great expanse
Of territory can be seen one of the most
beautiful landscapes ever witnessed. The
dark green foliage Of the forest inter
spersed by cult waited fields and beauti-
ful villas, with the Tennessee river flow
ing through the center, its bosom glisten-
ing in the sunlight and mist like a sheen
Of silver.
I have almost forgotten to mention that
the city OF Chattanooga, which was al
most entirely destroyed during the war,
has become a handsome city Of $1,000 or
more inhabitants and the center Of great
manufacturing industries. The old forts
that We had built have all been tori
down and houses and streets occupy theh
places.
We next went 70 Atlanta, Georgia
passing a number Of battle fields on the
route, on all Of which I was able to rec
ognize some familiar object. Among the
more prominent were Resacca, New
Hope Church Station, Kenesaw Mount
ain, Peach Tree Greek, Decatur and
JonesboTough, Ga. The latter place is 8
town Of about 1000 inhabitants situated
20 miles from Atlanta, and is the point
on which Sherman made his great flank
movement, engaging and defeating Gen.
Hood on Aug. 3lst, 1864, and causing the
capitulation Of Atlanta. We were ena.
bled to obtain many relics Of the battle
here. We also discovered a number OF
trees with cannon balls and pieces of
shell embedded in their trunks On our
route and within about four miles Of At
lanta We arrived at another battle field
where Gen. Mcpherson lost his life and
also a Confederate, Gen. Walker. One
and One-half miles from this point is
Fort Walker, which still stands as mon-
ument Of the bloody days. There are
four pieces Of cannon still left there rang
ing from l. to 20 Founders. The car
rlages have about rOtted away but the
guns and caissons still remain. We next
proceeded 10 Atlanta, where We remain
ed three days enjoying the hospitality of
the most hospitable people. We were
shown every courtesy and attention that
one could desire. We met q great mum.
Der Of ex-Coufederates and fought our
battles over again, but in q friendly and
brotherly manner. Atlanta is as great a
city as her people are hospitable. Il
contains 6000O inhabitants, fine public
buildings and a great surrounding park.
beautifully located and containing a
grand collection OF animals and birds Of
almost every kind. It's said to contain
the largest elephant and lion in the
world. There are two street RAILWAYS
running into the park and the cans are
constantly crowded to their full capaci-
~. We left Atlanta with regret. deplor-
ing the fact that business claimed chr
tine. We next proceeded to Savannah
Ga, over the same route taken bv Sbe,-
man in the grand walk around. and 7
was agreeably entertained throughout
the line by being continually confronted
with familiar objects, and not the least
agreeable l assure you was the old Con-
federates who had opposed us in the
March to the Sea" Ny most pleasant
time vas spent with them in talking Of
Aud Lang Syne" Savannah is a very
nice city, rather hot, and with very
sRampy surroundings. Here are the
great rice fields which il is necessary TO
overflow, populated chiefly by eolored
people, and where they say no white
man can live after sundown.
We next visited Tybee Island, On the
Atlantic Ocean, where there is an exten-
siEe summer resort, and one can here en-
JOY the cool and invigorating breeze Of
TIE Gull Stream. We had the pleasure
here Of viewing one Of Uncle SANS men
oi-War, monsirous, huge and formidable
but clean and ti7v ou , -