The National tribune., 1895-02-14
GETTYSBURG FIELD.
Remarkable Transformations on this Once
Bloody battle-ground.

Remarkable Transformations on this Once
Bloody battle-ground.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: As the
years 20 by there is constantly manifested
an increasing interest in the wonderful
battlefield of Gettysburg, with its treasures
of art in granite, marble, and bronze, COM
memorating heroic deeds and honored dead.
And now that the National Government is
taking hold of the thought that the work
for the preservation of the battlefield will
not be complete until every important spot
is marked FOX the truth of history, whether
held by the North or South, and many more
acres Of the historic field are owned and
held by if, TO prevent present and future
desecration, and until lines and avenues
connect them all, the future OF Gettysburg
looms up with no uncertain indication that
this great Mecca shall never be forgotten,
where victory turned the tide of war from
its high-water mark to the final ebb at
APPROXIMATION, with Union restored aud a
blessed peace.
The Battlefield Memorial Association,
which for all these intervening years has so
nobly done its work of preserving battle
lines, and promoted the placing of the 400
costly monuments which now so widely
cover the fed of three days carnage, Is
about to transfer its possessions to the
General Government This nucleus for a
great National Park, with the beautiful
National Cemetery in the center, must draw
around il, for its completeness, many acres
more, and especially the 1200-acre plain,
over which the bloody and desperate, famous,
and final LongstTeet's assault was made.
4 Government commission of well-in-
formed and practical men, representing
historian and soldier from both North and
South, is busy perleeting the details of this
great work. a new avenue, marking the
Confederate lines, Is now surveyed, and TO
the surprise, no doubt, of your many read
ers, extends over seven miles. A part of
this is now in process OF building, under
the most perfect system of road-making.
For several years past, 100000 visitors
annually is scarcely al average estimate;
and, from the increasing interest, it viii not
he long before Gettysburg must become
Summer city with a large clientele. The
historic field, the fine scenery, and the mag
n ficent avenues, viii invite capital, and
hotels and cottages will occupy the many
commanding and beautiful sites. Land IS
cheap, air and water pure and bountiful,
and the famous Katalysine Springs have
not yet lost their virtue or their reputation.
The National Memorial Church, most
fitting and beautiful memorial, dedicated to
:" the Prince Of peace" in grateful recogni-
ton both OF victory and peace, and of the
honored dead and the brave survivors as
well, has for some years been slowly gath
eriDg memorial tablets and moderate gifts
from all over the land-from GAR. Posts
and associations, and from private dona-
tions-tO the amount of $4,000, all of which
n. IL
Many memorial tablets are now in position.
More are ready for placing, and there is
still room f0r many more. This very APP
propriate memorial effort has received
new interest and encouragement, and prom
Uses early completion.
The Monumental Tower is to be erected
In memory of the great and good Abraham
Lincoln, whose touchipgly-eloquent words
on this historic spot gave new hope, new
courage, and new conservation, prophetic of
the victory and peace destined TO certain &C
complishment from that hour. A life-size
bronze statue of him, in the act of delivering
that incompatible English classic is to fill
niche on one side of the tower. On the
eastern front, and facing the main thorough
fare to the battlefield, three inches are pro-
yided-the center one for Gen. Meade, and
on one side either Gen. Reynolds or Hancock,
as the Loyal Legion, who will fill it, may
decide. These two are assured the third
is open for some other patriotic gift and
choice.
Many other ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS in inches
on interior walls, windows, columns, tab
lets-will complete this unique feature of
its purpose. Many of these are taken
others awHit aud appeal TO many hearts and
homes TO remember thus individually faith
ers, brothers, SONS.
The late Gen. S. Wylie CRAWFORD selected
the large west window (10x20 feet as a me-
mortal 10 his Pennsylvania Reserve COM
mand, promising to furnish for ii from 81 200
TO Sl,5O0. This promise is record, but
the General died suddenly, and without q
will, and no provision was made for it. 1t
would be graceful act for the Reserve As
ISOLATION TO carry out this intention in
memory OF their old commander as we'll as
of their brave comrades and famous organi-
cation.
These various items concerning the battle
field of Gettysburg may be OF interest TO
your many readers, and with this view
and hope they are respectfully submitted.
II. L. EGE, Gettysburg, Pa.