The National tribune., 1895-07-18
THE MILITARY PAR,

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National Character of the Struggles around
Chattanooga-Nearly Every State Had a
Strong Representation-Incep of the
Idea of Making National Park There.
NATIONAL CHARACTER OF THE STRUGGLE
The battles around Chattanooga were
the most thoroughly National battles of
the war. Every State in the South, and
nearly every one in the North, had regi-
rnents and batteries there, and Kentucky,
Missouri, and Tennessee had a strong
representation on both sides The United
States had nine organizations of Regulars
there. 1t differed in this respect from
Gettysburg, which was largely fought
by troops from east of the Alleghenies.
The suggestion that National Park
be established there was therefore an
obvious one; and when it was first made
In 1883 by Gen. Fred Van Derveer,
who had commanded brigade on the
bloody fields with signal ability, and
Gen. II. V. Boynton, who commanded
q regiment under him, the suggestion
met with enthusiastic reception, both
North and South. At the meeting of
the Society Of the Army Of the Cum
berland that year, the suggestion took
practical shape in the appointment Of a
committee, consisting Of Gems Cist,
Manderson, Alger, Baird, and Boynton,
TO take charge Of the matter This
committee met in Washington in Feb
ruary, 1889, and decided to invite Con-
federates representing those who had
fought there to meet with them. A
Joint Chickamauga Memorial Associa-
tion was formed and incorporated, and
the enterprise was formally lanched at
q Joint meeting Of the Union and Con-
federate veterans, held at Chattanooga,
Sept. 19, 1889. The attendance was
very hrge; speeches were made by Gen.
Rosecrans and other Union veterans,
and by prominent men on the Confed-
crate side The Association was COM
pleted and officers elected. Each State
was given a number Of incorporators
proportionate to the number Of troops
it had upon the field.
During the Winter following, when it
was decided TO ask the assistance of Con-
gress, the conclusion was arrived at to
enlarge the original scope Of the plan so
as to include all the ground which had
been fought over for the possession Of
Chattanooga. Therefore, Gen. Boynton,
who has been the most active promoter
Of the work, and to whose intelligent
and earnest persistence the entire success
Of the matter is largely due, drew bill
authorizing the purchase by the Govern
ment Of the entire field Of Chickamauga,
and the requirement Of the main roads
leading to and through that field, and
those along Missionary Ridge and
thence over Lookout Mountain as Ap-
prOaches." The Secretary Of War, act
ing through Commission of his own
selection, was authorized 10 establish the
"Chickamauga and Chattanooga Ma.
tional Military Park" The bill, which
authorized the purchase of ID square
miles OF battlefield, was ably managed
in the House 10y Gen. c. II. Grosvenor
who had distinguished himself in the
battle, passed by the Senate without
opposition, and was approved by Presi
dent Harrison Aug. IS, 1890.
Secretary Proctor, who took deer
interest in the work, appointed as th'
two civilian members of the Commission
Gen. j. s. Fullerton, who was Chief o
Staff TO Gen. Gordon Granger in Tia,
battle, and Gen. Alex. 7. Stewart, wht
commanded division Of the Confederatt
army at Chickamauga, and afterward :
corns- Col. :. G. KELLOGG. Of the Atl