Omaha daily bee., 1896-11-29

R1TTLEELELD P1RKS.

The report of the secretary of war
shows what has been done in improv-
ing the national battlefield parks
There are four of thCse-GettySburg
Chickamauga. Shiloh and Antictam-
and the government has expended on
them, including the purchase money.
S.11391O. The present or succeeding
congress will probably establish another
military park embracing the lines of
operation in the siege and defense of
VickSburg bill to do this having been
introduced at the last session and IA
vorably reported on by the house com
mittec on military affairs. In its report
the committee referred to Nicksburg aS
the only great siege and Investment of
Il degree as any of the momcntouS en-
gagemcnts of the civil war. The open
ing of the Mississippi river depended
upon the fall of Ncksburg. The taking
of that stronghold was in the light of
scientific war, General Grants greatest
achievement General ITallcck. who
was Il scholar of military science, said
of it that lin boldncSs of plan. rapidty
of execution and brilliancy of results.
these operations will compare favorably
with those of Napoleon about Ulm."
General pemberton. the commander of
the confcderatcs, realized that it meant
the surrender of the Mississippi river
and the severance of the COnfcdcracy.
General Gordon. COMMUNICATIVE chief
of the United Confederate Veterans.
has said that the siege of Vicksburg
ranks as one of the most wonderful in
history. In setting forth the claim of
Vicksburg to the distinction which it is
proposed the federal government shall
confer upon it, General Gordon thus
graphically pictured the conflict there:
"Fitly called the Gibraltar of the
South the siege of Nicksburg ranks
as one of the most wonderful in history.
For forty-seven days those blood-stained
and storm-crowncd heights ragged with
ircessant conflict and witnessed by
turns the assault upon its
heroic and stubborn defenders
and the repulse Of the gal |
liant and obstinate attacking army, |
BY day sheeted flame issued from every
crest of the hills around this famous
citadel of courage, and by might the de-
struCtivc and deadly bomb lit up the !
heavens with its lurid and balcful light |
The straits TO which the garrison and |
the inhabitants of the besieged city were
reduced for food ana supplies We're of |
the most pathetic, somber and painful |
known in history. Every foot of ground |
of the proposed military park Is conse- |
Grated by the blood of heroes, and the
story of the siege of Vicksburg while !
written. it is true in the blood of broth |
Crs. is n lasting and imperishable monu- |
ment to American courage and hero
ism"
Our system of national military !
parks would not he complete without !
Nicksburg and rs the people of the |
south, or those who participated in the |
civil war; are mo less desirouS than |
those of the ndrth to have this great |
event of the war thus cOmmcmOrated, |
the measure providing for establishing !
Il military parli at Vicksburg will un-
doubtedly be eIincted. With that done |
the creation of military parks will prob.
ably terminate, ! since there will be
enough to adequately commemorate
American heroism ana American man
hood In the supreme test of war
The sentiment that prompted the es-
of these battlefield parks
is in the highest degree commendable
and the American people will always
provide the money necessary
to maintain them. Succeeding genera
tions viii, indeed, prize them even more
highly than we do and millions in the
future will draw from them inspiration
to loyalty and patriotism.
The senatorial contest In Pennsylvania
Is becoming very animated and may be