The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-09-18
HISTORICAL PLACE
WHERE SHOT AND SHELL MOVED
THOUSANDS DOWN.

at washington a Large Delegation
VIII Renew Their Recollections By
an Inspection OF the Old Locality.
WASHINGTON, Sept 1.-THE battle fields
An Virginia as they are to-day have q very
lively interest for veterans scattered all
over the country because upon them the
great trial by arms was mainly carried on
and decided. A large delegation from the
Grand Army Of the Republic, which holds Ill
annual convention in Washington Sept. 20,
will visit the field Of SDottsylvania Court
House, where Grant had his most deadly
and terrific struggle. Within a circuit OF
ten miles from this building 81, ABS men
were either killed or wounded IN battle. II
isno wonder, therefore. there the interest
of the native Virginian in the war as q
topic Of discourse is enduring. transmitted
from sire 70 son and ventilated by all fol-
lAe entertainment Of strangers and tran
sients.
Even scurrying commercial travellers art
sharI enough to chime in with the general
chorus, because yearly experience hal
taught them that the drummer who doel
not manifest some interest In the favoritt
theme handbags himself In his trade deal
tngs.
The battle OF 5pottsylvania Court House
was the greatest of Gen. Giants Virginia
campaign. He showed his full strength
there. ls was there that he fairly threw
his forces into the resolute, rapid and con-
tinuous fighting that ended the war; there
that he launched his celebrated bulletin,
II propose TO fight IL out on this line II IL
takes all summer"
~ ha his skvla NJ FIGHTING
was kept 10 the very end. During recent
exploring tour over this battle field, IFS
relics and landmarks were found abundant
and interesting. Every house, road, field
and almoss every tree are suggestive OF the
gigantic encounter had there between the
two hosts in May, 1854.
AT THE COURT HOUSE.
Approaching the court house from an
eastsrly direction we soon find ourselves on
the edge Of the battle field, as evidenced by
the first line Of earth intrenchments which
directly crossed the road and is now dis
tinctly visible, despite the wear and tear of
twenty-eicht years. This line was the
nearest point reached In the attack. It is
within a stones throw OF our destination
and its view leaves US not sorry 20 get rid
of the deAdening monotony OF the forest
behind.
Ina few moments our team hAlts al the
little hamlet or county seat, and we ars told,
''This is Spottsylvania Court House." On
one side Of she road is the Harris" house.
on,the other stands the court house, a solid
old brick building, with pillared portlco of
the classic colonial style, which appears
even handsome amid so much Of lonely
woods and deserted clsRrings. There Is a
slight haze as of smoke of battle in the dis
tanoe settled down over the patches Of fields
overwhelmed with monster trees whichever
way the eye LOOKS.
The court house building was peppered
with balls, pierced with big projectiles dur
ing the battle, but was afterward restored.
Miiitarily, however, it was clean out Of the
circle OF real battle operations, as the points
from which battles are named generally are
found 10 be.
1t Is Sunda y, and the jewellers OF the dor
en- houses are all at the little church around
the corner engaged In singing hymns.
whose old fashioned strains echo through
the one street, in which not even a cat Is to
be seen. rather large brick hotel, also
fronted with pillars and adjacent 10 the
court house yard, is used for educational
purposes and only on special court days does
1t dispense refreshments to the general pubs
lie, consisting of the special throng that
persists In going to court" in every county
In the state, just as It's fathers and grand
fathers did in their day.
The tidy little village, to-day SO pleasant
of aspect, smiling in its flower yards and
well stocked gardens, gave all that it GOULD
TO the deadly conflict tnat ragged around it,
name.
We drive on and enter upon several very
historical roads, much smaller In reality
than their names on the pages Of history
and are glad to ind them in good travelling
and walking condition. There Is a con
siderable opening of fields immediately
around the court house, verify pretty fal
ground for battle; it was 1.-THE opsnn whic
Gen. Grant was so eager to get into afte
he got out Of the tangle at the Wilderness
Every point on our road now draws atten
ton.
Each field or timber belt yields up 1t
"reminiscences and the whole surrounding
again made familiar.
Many Of the fields upon which tho fight
ing occurred bear the names of those VIII
owned them in 1854, and some of the house
are stln In the possession Of the same par
sies. "AlsoP's,"" "Perry's," ''spindIer's
farms; Browns Landlords" "Harri
sons" houses are all present and accountet
for, and the most famous of ali, the "Mc
Coop house. center of the thickest fighting
is still in admirable condition, though nov
dwelt in by another family, the McCool
having died of years ago.
At q point on Alsop's field where tb
forks OF our road unite, we are brough
race 20 race with stone appar1tion loftii,
reared and 80 suddenly appearing as TO b
almost startling. 1t is the handsome mon
ument put up 10 the memory OF Gen. Sedg
wick, who was hilled by sharpshooter OF
the spot where it stands, close to the in
trenchments hastily built by bis corps
while engaged In rectifying the lines ius
before the battle. The monument, termi
mating in the form Of a cross, is substantial
and tasteful. duly inscribed, and is inclose,
by an iron railing.
THE BLOODY ANGLEn
Near the Sedgwick monument begin I'll
confronting lines OF earth intrenchment
held by each army and running a dlstano
OF several miles In a semi-ciroIe around tn
court house. They are clearly defined ant
remarkably well preserved after such ion,
lapse Of time, having been untouched ex
Dept by wear Of weather aud time, AIon.
the central portions of these extended line
is an angle, the result of detective militar,
engineering on the part Of Lees subordi.
mates, which was the scene Of severes
fighting on the memorable 18th Of May, anC
ever siHce known as the "bloody angle,n
Within 1t is located the MoCool house
Us present owner is standing in his yard a
we drive up to the house and prompt,
extends cordial invitation to enter and b
at home on the historical precincts He 1
amiable and modest, though knowing ful
well that his abode is the great attractio,
OF the neighborhood. So many people O
Ill IL.