The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-07-02
THE VETERANS AND rnr TROLLEY.
How the Trolley Railway Interfere, WITH
Gottyshurr Battlefield.

Ct, Gettyssurp Battlefield.
WASHINGTON. July 1.-The indignation Of the
| survivors OF Gettysburg at the changes made
In the historic spot by the electric railroad. the
construction Of which has been authorized
there. is drawback on the pleasures OF the
| current anniversary celebration.
1t should be observed that the railroad does
not pass over any land belonging to the
| Memorial Association and since this associa-
'tion and the States have secured oil the most
important areas, 1t may be thought at FIRST that
tho new trolley road cannot seriously injure
the historic features OF the spot
But the road Is built on land purchased from
| private owners and In part adjoining that OF
the association. which had refused to sanction
-er in any way aid the project Four illustra-
| lions in Harper's Weekly show the real relation
OF the railroad to the battlefield. The first Is
OF the loop at the southwest Of the wheat field.
the scene OF the second days battle: and an
uncompleted railroad cut Is shown in the fore
ground. Another ts Of high and broad bank.
thrown up as q filling between Devils Den and
Big Round Top. A third shows hastings Of
rocks and deep cut not far from the famous
copse OF trees on Cemetery Ridge, to which
Picketts charge on the third day reached and
which is unsurp assed, II equaled. in interest,
by any portion Of the field. Tho fourth Is at
Zeigler's grove
IL Is not necessary to overstate the actual
changes made In order to show why the vet
Grams are disturbed at this invasion by the
trolley road. AS the battlefield was about
twenty-five square miles. taking the three
days together. It has not been practicable
hitherto to purchase and set apart the whole
Of 1t as park. Buttbe sort Of occupation OF
parts OF it, as In farming, which existed thirty
years ago. 10 quito a different thing from tho
building Of railroad. which requires the
cutting OF trees. blasting Of rocks. and filling
of valleys. thus materially altering the face
OF the landscape.
As described In the text accompanying the
illustrations Just spoken OF. the trolley runs
on the Emmittsburg road. between Seminary
Ridge and Cemetery Ridge. to Peach Orchard.
and then turns along a narrow lane to the
Taneytown road. but. before reaching the
wheat field. turns again to the right towards
DEVILS Den In taking this course. 1t makes
filling OF three feet on ground over which
Brooks's brigade charged on the second day.
1t makes o cut twelve feet deep back OF Devils
Den. 1t has blasted. for material. granite
rocks that served rs shelter to portions OF
the combatants. Col Bachelor. In describing
the work. uses this languages;
this ossy the rosd cuts the scene Of q
the most desperate encounters Of the battle in which
sToss.: and Words Union b!isad.., and K.r.6.S's
federate brigades contended for hours The railway
cuts straight through lines OF battle iore: trees
tridged and the whole held is changed
1t is further charged that on Little Round
Top one Of the gangs. In working. unearthed
the Zones Of some OF McCandlesss troous,
which were afterward. however. recovered
and buried by one Of the townspeope. In
passing before the line Of battle OF the Second
Corps. as 1t was on tho third day. the road
brigade and Of Wiers batteryncrossine also
the position reached by Pockets command.
and buryine. 1t is declared. under It's road
bed, the spot on which Garnet died.
or course the object OF the builders OF the
road 10 simply to take the route best suited
for their purposes. assuming that during the
last thirty years the States. the United States
and the Memorial Association have acquired
all the ground which they deemed necessary
to preserve. But it can we'll. be understood
from what has been said. how this modern
interloper worries the veterans who have
been wont to visit tho field and fight their
battles over. recaR Ring With the minds eye the
events OF thirty years ago. and aided hitherto
by a landscape little disturbed. save by the
monuments that served to mark more dis
tinctly the positions OF troops.
The feeling excited against the road was so
great that Gen. Sickles published circular
counselling the veterans who are at Gettys-
burg this week not to ATTEMPT to destroy 1t.
There Is no question. apparently. that the rail-
way. has right to do what 1t has done. while
1t is absurd to suppose that, when 1t looks for
much Of Its remuneration to visitors to tho
Geld. it should purposely offend them by any
deliberate vandalism. The veterans would put
themselves In the wrong by any lawlessness.
The War Department has been appealed to.
and the United States Commissioners are con-
sidering how to preserve the battlefield from
furf har ohoppaa