The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-04-07
WcksBuRa NATIONAL PARK.
Secretary Rigby in Portland in the Interest
of the Movement.

Iowa, came to the city yesterday in the
Interest of the bill now pending in Con-
gress and which has received the favor
able report of the military committee. for
the puro base of 1900 acres of land about
Vickspurg to be converted into national
park to commemorate the campaign
around that city. No land except land on
which actual fighting took place, is to be
purchased and nc. suspicion of speculation
attaches to the movement. The bill pro-
yides for an appropriation of $75 600
needed to purchase the land and keep the
grounds in condition. OF this sum $50, 600
will purchase the land and the remainder
will be expended in restoring the old line
of foT icat:onS
The movement originated among the
Iowa veterans who formed an association
called The Vioksburg National Military
Park Association, and were incorporated
under the laws of Mississippi. Probably
no bill has ever received more substan-
tlal backing than the one that is now be-
fore Congress in furtherance of this move
ment. Its passage is recommended and
urged by many of the leading statesmen
of the country, as well as the rank and
file of the Grand Army of the Republic.
From East to West, from the North to
the Potomac, and even beyond, the men
who defended the Union, and In many
cases those who fought for its division,
unite in wishing for the passage of this
bill. The support in it's behalf is over
whelming. 1t was asked for by resolu-
tions adopted in the last national Grand
Army encampment, fin Louisville. by
Commander-in Chief Walker and by Gen.
Gordon, commandment of the
state encampment in the West which has
met since the bill was presented to Con-
gress has Endorsed the movement. The
commander of every state department of
the West, has Endorsed the bill
by letter, together with Comman-
der McElroy of the department of the Po-
tomac, Commander Cooper of thesdepart-
ment Of Maryland, Commander Cum
mings of Pennsylvania, Commanders
White of New Jersey and Atkinson of
New York, and also such men as Gen.
Horace Porter, commander of the Loyal
Legion; John Palmer, past Commander
in-Chief of the Grand Army, Com
mander Derby, Commander N. M. Puffer,
of Vermont, Commander Louis w. AL
drich of New Hampshire and Past Com
manders-in Chief J. @. B. Adams
and Geo. S. Merrill of Massachusetts.
The Iowa Legislature and the New
York Assembly have asked Congress
to make the needed appropriation
and the Massachusetts legislature
will doubtless add its appeal. Numerous
personal letters in favor of the project
have been forwarded to Speaker Reed,
among them letters from Myron 7. Walk
Or, George s. Merrill John 6. B. Adams,
George S. Evans and Rev. Philip S.
Moxom Of Massachusetts,.
Yesterday Capt. Rigby received these
letters of Endorsement addressed to
Speaker Reed:
Portland, Me-, April 6, 1896.
Hon. Thomas B. Reed,
Washington, D. G.
Dear Mr.. Reed II heartily approve of |
the establishment OF national military |
PARK at V1cksburg. Whatever you may |
properly do to secure the passage at |
this session Of the bill now pending in |
Congress, to secure the establishment |
Of this park, believe will be much ap- |
preciated by the veterans of Maine.
HENRY B. CLEAvEs.
Hon. Thomas B. Reed,
Washington, d. C.
/ cordially approve of Observation-Disclosures |
If a national military park at ,Vioksbura. |
1T may be your pleasure to do |
TO secure the passage at this session of |
the bill now pending in Congress, to es- |
tablish this park, will be greatly appre- |
,iated by me- and l think l also voice |
the sentiment of many veterans of this |
,ity and vicinity in this expression.
Yours very truly,
HOLMAN S. MELCHER.
Portland, April g. 1896.
Several other gentlemen were visited |
and Major Thazter will send |
Captain Rigby letter, today. Gen. |
Fessenden and Gen. Mattooks were not |
in town. Hon Geo. M. Seiders has pre-
pared letter but Capt. Rigby called too
late to get 1t last evening. The captain |
will visit ex-Department Commander |
Green, G. A. r.; Gen. Selden Conner,
Gen. John Marshall Brown, Col. A. W. |
and Major H. S. Burrage
today. He will go to Rockland after |
MS visit ia Portland is concluded, to Wis |
IL DeDartInant Commauder T,orep1o n |