Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-09-17
ADDRESS OF GEN. LUTHER STEPHENSON
Al The Dedication Of The 32d Mass. Regiment
Monument on Gettysburg Battle Field,
Sept. 8, 1894.

:
/ to shoulder in defence of the flag and Union.
But how changed the circumstances and the
, place how changed our condition and feel
ing. Only q remnant of the dear old regi-
ment in which we served, and whose record
is 80 precious to us, are here. We miss the
familiar faces and forms of many who have
! passed away; we miss the elastic tread or
youth, the flashing eyes of early manhood,
and we assemble around the beautiful
monument which is to tell the story of
bravery and sacrifice to generations yet to
come, with feeble steps, with hair bleached
by the ruthless hand of time, with the marks
of age and the toll and struggles of life's
Journey. Thirty years it seems almost
dream. Thirty years of hopes and disap-
pointments, of joy and sorrow, of pleasure
and pain, and again we stand on our battle
ground at Gettysburg, proud of our record,
proud of the noble regiment in which we
served, and rejoicing in the remembrance
that we bravely and honorably performed
our duty in the hour of peril, when the
Nations life was in danger, and the coun-
try needed brave hearts and stout hands to
preserve the integrity and honor OF the
great legacy of liberty and equality be-
queathed us by the fathers.
But, how changed the scene; 10 smoke
of battle to dim the beauty of land
scape; we listen in vain for the roar of ar
tillery, the sharp crack of musketry, the
noise of battle, the groans of the wounded;
we see no more the forms of the slain, the
turmoil and horrors of war.
Before US is a panorama of beauty-the
distant hills and rolling meadow, the beau
tiful foliage of tree and plant, the lovely
garbs of peace while men and youth, mat
rons and maidens and innocent children,
with no fear of danger from hostile foes,
with earnest faces and grateful hearts, wan
der over the hills and meadows where was
fought one of the greatest battles in the
worlds history, seeking the places where
their countrymen, their husbands, fathers,
sons and friends fought and died, that the
country might live. A stranger could hard
ly believe that this lovely place had been
the scene of bloody battle, were it not for
the monuments built of enduring stone that
mark the line of battle from the peach
orchard to Culp's Hill, erected by survivors
to designate the spot where their own regi-
ment or battery fought as a part of the
Grand Army of the Potomac which repealed
the enemy who had invaded loyal soil, and
drove him back Inundated and disappointed
to disaster and defeat on the Southern hills
and valleys. How varied and beautiful
these tributes to loyalty and patriotism !.
Art and imagination have furnished mon
uments beautiful in simplicity and grandeur;
appropriate emblems and touching lnscrip-
tons the massive shaft, the ornate column,
the image of the soldier with musket in
hand, seemingly watching for the foe, the
;,,,r wis Of
that love and patriotism can suggest, meet
the eye, bringing back rare and hallowed
memories of the past. And among them in
its charming simplicity, stands the monu-
ment of the Thirty Mass. Regiment,
representing in solid stone which will en-
dure for ages, the lowly canvas tents, the
humble dwellings which sheltered the Union
soldier in storm and sunshine, in camp and
bivouac throughout the eventful years of
the War of the Rebellion.
What story it tells-what recollections
it brings up! We remember the close of
weary marches, when we turned with Joy to
its shelter, and the slumber that followed,
mora sweet and refreshing than is vouch-
safed to many who live in stately mansions
and rest upon beds of ease and luxury. 1t
brings to our minds comrades who shared
with us the narrow space, whose bleeding
forms we left on the battlefield; of loved
companions who in later years have passed
across the river. 1t recalls the life in
winters camp, with its hardships and in
conveniences, yet, always lightened by the
companionship of choice spirits whom we
loved and honored. In years yet to come,
when we shall have passed from earth, when
science. invention and experience have
revolutionized and changed, as they surely
will the methods and implements of war with
which we are familiar aye, when the time
shall come that fighting shall cease and there
shall be no more wars, the people of this
land " ill visit this Mecca of patriotism and
bravery, and listen to the story of the battle
of Gettysburg. They will stand beside this
representation of the home Of the soldier in
, the time of war, and realizing the sacrifices
and hardships endured by the men who
fought for the Union, with grateful hearts,
will recount their deeds and bless and rev.
erence their memories.
| The story of the battle of Gettysburg has
been repeatedly told and rehearsed on the
printed page and on the lecture platform,
in prose and verse. Soldiers, scholars and
poets 10 books, magazines, and the public
journals for years, have told the wondrous
story, and yet each new rehearsal attracts
the earnest interest, and touches the hearts
of the people. Many narratives have been
spoken or written in all honesty and on the
strict lines of truth, while others are embel-
lished with scenes drawn from the imagina-
ton of the authors-mystifying and per
picking the seekers after the true descrip.
ton. Officers high in rank have given
versions and descriptions of the events of
the memorable three days fighting, prepared
evidently for the purpose of excusing OF
palliating their own shortcomings and
blunders, or to magnify and give greater
Importance to their own services.
+, l asked that grand soldier, Gen. Hancock,
some years ago, why he had not given to
the world in print. the story of his military
achievements? The answer well illustrates
the ingenious and honest old hero. He said
81 made up my mind after the war closed
not to write anything with regard to my
military life, but to leave it to history. II
! history did me justice it would be all right,
if not, it would make but little difference. u
"You will observe" he continued, ''that if
an officer undertakes to write up his own
military career, somebody has to suffer for
his mistakes and blunders. No man can
write impartially of himself. Now, am
human, and l don't propose to put myself