The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1895-09-20
Formal Exercises of Defeating
Chickamauga Park Con-
ducted There.
Vice President Stevenson Presid.
ed-Speeches by Palmer
and Gordon.
Fifty Thousand Voices Join in
the Singing of Patriotic
Anthems.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn, Sept. 20.-One
Of the bloodiest battlefields the world
ever saw was formally dedicated here as
pleasure for the editication and enjoy
ment Of the American people for ali
time. 1t was the dedication Of the bat
tlefeld of Chickamauga, whose beauti-
full ravines and mountain sides We're
strewn with nearly 10000 dead and
wounded men, 32 years ago. The dedi-
cation was conducted by men who 32
years ago fought in that awful strife;
men who at that time sought each 9TH
ers lives; sought to increaSe the blood.
shed if necessary to win the fight.
Two generals, with silver gray hair,
who headed thousands of men in the af
fray, on opposite sides, made the prin-
cipal speeches at the dedication. They
were Generals John M. Palmer and
John B. Gordon. The feud which
stirred them to strife then has been
blCtted out and today they and their
followers are as brothers of one nation
and one family.
1t is doubtful if the world ever before
saw another such scene as was that at
Chickamauga today. Certainly there
never was one more impressive and at
the same time joyfully affecting.
1t was witnessed by no less than
$4,000 people of the North and Of the
South, and at least half of them took
part in that bloody Civil War, of which
Chickamauga was part.
On Snodgrass Hill.
The ceremonies took place at Snod-
grass Hill, whose sides for a mile We're
30 thickly covered with dead 81 years
ago, that the survivors say one could
walk all over it from crest to base,
stepping from one PROSTATE body to
another.
Hours before the exercises begun the
battlefield was alive with those who had
come to attend the dedication. The
first event of the day was the display of
arms by Battery f, Fourth United States
artillery. Then there was battalion
regimental drill, showing the tactics
and field movements, under command
of Colonel Holland. These exercises at
arms were of great interest to the veter-
though the old fellows expressed the
belief that such tactics
Would Have Fallen - Timothy
before mower if placed against those
adopted during the battle of Chicka,
manga.
Vice President A. E. Stevenson pre-.
sided over the dedicatory exercises. He
was introduced by General John s. Full.
lerton, chairman of the Chickamauga
and Chattanooga National park. When
the vice president came forward he was
greeted with loud applause
The meeting was called to order at II
o'clock, and at that hour Snodgrass Hill
was covered with people. The great
natural area selected by the national
commission, ON Snodgrass Hill, was &C
arranged that nearly every one Of the
tens Of thousands of auditors could heal
the speeches and addresses throughout
BY way of beginning there was ma
tional salute of "A guns by the artillery
followed by "The Star Spangled Ban
ner,' played by one of the United States
infantry bands. 1t was cheered to the
echo by veterans Of the blue and Of the
gray, and in their patriotic enthusiasm
many Of the grizzled old veterans shet
tears of joy. When the applause hat
ceased, Vice President Stevenson made
brief address, as follows:
Stevenson's speech.
II am honored by being called to pre-
side over the ceremonies Of this day. By
solemn decree of the representatives O
the American people, this magnifcen
park, with its wondrous associations ant
k memories, is now to be dedicated for al
time to national and patriotic purposes
This is the fitting hour for the angus
ceremonies we now inaugurate. Toda,
by act of congress of the United States
the Chickamauga and Chattanoog,
National Military park is forever Sc
apart for all common uses, solemnl,
dedicated for all ages-to all the Ameri
can people. The day is auspicious. l
notes the anniversary of one of tn
greatest battles known to history. Here
in the dread tribunal of last resort, valo
contended against valor. Here BRAY
men struggled and died for the right
as God gave them to see the right
Thirty-two years have passed, and tn
few survivors of that masterful day
victors and vanquished alike-agail
meet upon this memorable field. Alas
the splendid armies which rendezvouse
here are now little more than q process
sion of shadows.
''On Fams's eternal camping ground
Their silent tents are spread,
While Glory guards with solemn rouu
The bivouac of tn. dead"
Our eyes now behold the sublim
spectacle Of the honored survivors of tn