The record-union., 1895-09-20

CHATTANOOGA (1enn.l J, SepI. I9.-AlteI
an interval OF thirty-two years the blue
and the gray to-day again met around the
crescent of Snodgrass Hill, on the battle
field of Chickamauga, but not as then,
amid the mists and leaden hail which
marked those dreadful days of 1868. max
ing the conflict the most disastrous in It's
casualties to those concerned which his
tory knows. Under one flag, a reunited
host devoted to the advancement and
prosperity of one common country, the
veteran foemen of third of century
ago met to-day to dedicate as national
park the ground made sacred by the
blood of heroes who fought on either side.
The park is one of the most notable In
existence, and unequaled in many re-
spects. 1t extends from Sherman flights,
In Tennessee, to Glass Mills, Ca, dis
tance of twenty-five miles, over all oi
which, together with the necessary ap-
proaches. the Governments of these States
have ceded jurisdiction to the United
States.
At the present the Government owns
between ten and eleven square miles. or
$500 acres, of which $500 are cleared OF
underbruSh. Congress has authorized
the purchase of a total area of about six
teen square miles. 1t has already ex-
pended for the purposes of the park
100000, including the appropriation Tor
the current year, and also beside ST, ,00O
for the expenses OF the dedication. Some
seventy-two miles of railway, more or
less completed, have been made, and five
observation towers erected within the
park limits, and within view OF them are
the scenes of the battles of Chickamauga,
Orchard Knob, Lookout Mountain, Wau-
hot nd M
Ferry.
A broad boulevard will connect the ex-
treme points of the park, much of it be-
ing already constructed along the crest OF
Missionary Ridge, Bragg's line of battle.
From almost any point along its length a
most magnificent view OF the valley and
far off nights is obtained.
In its work of marking the line of bat
tie and position OF troops engaged, the
National Committee has been assisted by
the Commissioners of twenty-five States,
including all of the Southern States
About 800 large historical tablets are al
ready III place, and other tablets giving
locality and distance number 800. Each
battery engaged is being market by at
least two guns. One hundred and fifty
guns are mounted in fighting positions Of
batteries, aud 400 guns are on the ground
ready tor mounting.
Ohio has fifty-iour monuments, Illinois
three. Minnesota five, Wisconsin eight
and United States regulars nine. They
have authorized and the Com tnissionerS
are preparing TO erect as follows: New
York twenty, Pennsylvania eighteen,
Connecticut 2, and Tennessee four.
Chattanooga was early astir, and all the
morning the various roads to the Chicka-
Inauga field were filled with vehicles
carrying spectators of the dedication cere-
monies. a belt line OF cars was organ
~f1I for+ +l,aA ~ -,
it was made possible for the great crowd
Of visitors 10 reach the grounds. The
exercises were held on an immense stand
built near the observation tower on Snod-
grass Hill, the center of the deadly open
ing day conflict.
Besides the Federal officials, including
Secretaries Herbert and Smith, POST
master General Wilson, Attorney-Ge
eral Harmon and Congressman present,
there were the following Gouernors OF
States, some accompanied by their stats,
and members of Congress from the sew
eral States appointed to act as National
Commissioners in erecting monuments
and marks: W. &. Oates, Alabama w.
X. Atkinson, Georgia;-6. p. Altgeld, IL
linois; Claude Matthews, Indiana; +. NJ.
Morrill,. Kansas; +, L. Greenhalge, Mas
sachusetts; }. L. Rich, Michigan; l.. A,
Holcomb. Nebraska; q. Z. Vert, New
Jersey; Levi p. Morton, New York;
William Mckinney, Ohlo; Peter Turney.
Tennessee; Urban a. Woodbury., Yer
mont, and Governor Mcintyre of Colo
rado.
Governors Morton and Holcomb ar
rived here this morning, the former Just
in time to reach the field and witness the
exercises. Missouri, Florida and North
Carolina were represented by delegations
of distinguished citizens, and to crown
all were the almost innumerable host of
lNrn n "a haf a kn haA -
fight it all over again and to rejoice in its
final issue, and who represented nearly
every State In the country. Especially
noticeable were the veterans who came
from Louisville, wearing their Grand
Army buttons.
Early arrivals on the ground were en-
tertained by drill of Battery +, Fourth
Artillery, under command of Captain
Sidney Taylor, and by a battalion of
Tegimental drill, under Captain Poland,
commanding Camp Lamont. These evo-
lutions exhibited TO the spectators the
new tactics and field movements sug-
gested by the Board of Tactics and Drill.
Promptly at noon a salute of forty-four
guns announced the beginning OF the
execution OF the programme so long ar
ranged and ooked forward to. Music
by the band of the Fourteenth Regiment
in camp on the field followed, and at
subsequent intervals it was also heard
with delight. The addresses of General
John NJ. Palmer of Illinois and General
John B. Gordon of Georgia were pre-
ceded by the singing OF America" by
the audience, and followed by "Auld
Lang Syne."
General J. s. Fullerton, Chairman of
the National Park Commission, and as
such Secretary Lamonps representative.
charged with the duty of directing the
dedicstory exercises. introduced Vice
President Stevenson, who presided in the
absence of the Secretary of War. He
said:
II am honored by being called to pre-
side over the ceremonies OF this day. by
solemn decree OF the representatives OF
the American people this magnificent
park, with its wondrous associations and
memories, is now 10 be dedicated tor all
time to national and patriotic purposes.
This is The fitting hour for the august
ceremonies we now lnaugurate To-day,
by an Act of Congress Of the United
States, the Chickamauga and Chattanooga
National Military Park is forever set
apart from all common uses; solemnly
dedicated Tor all the ages-to all the
American people,
1.-The day Is auspicious. 1t notes the
anniversary OF one OF the greatest battles
known to history. Here. in tho dread
tribunal of last resort, vaIor contended
against valor. Here brave men strug-
gled and died for the right, as God gave
them to see the right
"Thirty-two years have passed. and the
few survivors of that masterful day
victors and vsnquished alIke-again meet
upon this memorable field. Alas the
splendid armies which reudezvoused here
are now little more than procession of
shadows.
on Fame's eternal camping ground
Their silent tents are spread,
While glory guards with solemn round
The bivouac OF tie dead. 90;
"Our eyes now behold the sublime