The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-10-22
WAR CORRESPONDENTS.

A Beautiful and Expensive Monument
Erected to Them on the Scene of the
Battle OF Champions Gap.
Everybody knows "Gath" George Alfred
Townsend), who won his spurs during the war
as one of the very best of the correspondents In
the field, and since then has made millions OF
admirers by his bright, clever correspondence
about politicians. public men, and current
events. No man IN the English-speaking
world is better known or more eagerly read.
Some IL years ago Mr.. Townsend bought the
land at the summit of Champions Gap, on
South Mountain, where the Sixth Corps won
its brilliant victory over Howell CObbs forces,
Sept. IA, 1862 Mr.. Townsend began by erect
ing picturesque residence for himself, using the
rough stone found upon the ground. He con-
tnued this by erecting other buildings for a
study, and the accommodation of his large
library, kitchen and dining hall, oach-house,
house for coachmaD, barns, ETC., until he has q
pretty little village of his own, right in the
gap 1t is one of the notable places in western
Maryland, and attracts many visitors from all
parts of the country. Mr.. Townsend who is
priuceIy in his hospitality, is fond OF having
his friends, and as these include nearly every
man Of note in the country, he is rarely with
out houseful of most delightful people, whom
he entertains royalty. He very popular with
his neighbors of Middletown and Pleasant
Valleys, who are proud of having so talented a
brings about him. The money he has spent
there has been a substantial help to the work
ing people.
Last year Mr.. Townsend decided to erect in
the Gap fitting monument to the gallant de-
voted men who gathered news at the front, and
kept the people well-informed as to the progress
of the contest. He laid the matter before a
number OF prominent men, and they readily
subscribed q sufficient amount to erect most
imposing testimonial. 1t was recently COM
| peted, and last Friday was formally dedicated
| by Gov. Lowndes in the presence of quite a
gathering of correspondents, artists, newspaper
| men and others. Brief speeches were made by
Gov. Lowndes Mr.. Townsend, Gen. BoyDton,
| Gen. Fullerton, Mr.. L. u. Hay, John McElroy,
| and others.
The memorial stands in the gap. on bit of
made ground, necessary for its representation.
| Its effect in the natural gateway of the
mountainous range, for distance of IL miles, is
| impressive, particularly picturesque, as through
| its openings are seen charming valleys, distant
| nights, and bold SUBMITS 1t is adouble-stoned
| feudal gateway, with one arch on the ground IT.
| feet high and a span of horseshoe shape of red
dish-brown Hummelstown sandstone, each
| block of stone three feet thick. The three
| arches above, each arch nine feet high, are of
blue limestone from Cedar Creek quarries.
Pennsylvania and Virginia furnish the cut
| stone, but the body of the memorial is of Mary
rels Of the large arch shields, on which are
the watchwords of the war correspondents,
Listen" and Hasten" and above those are
heads Of the god Mercury and (symbolized)
Poetry. On panels of red brick in the middle
of the gateway is carved "War Correspond.
ents in large letters. In a niche, nine feet
high, by the side of the upper arches is six
foot figure of Orpheus, sheathing sword and
playing on a Pandean pipe. Three busts OF
correspondents in bronze, to be presented by
their friends. will be placed in the upper arches
AT the rear of the gateway are two gray tablets
Of Bedford (lnd) stone, on one of which are the
names, in double columns. of about LOG North
ern correspondents. with room for others thai
may have been unwittingly omitted. On the
second tablet are the names of the Confederate
correspondents and the artists in the field o
the illustrated papers. There were naturally
far fewer Southern than there were Northern
correspondents
The memorial looks north and south, bu
slants in the direction of the mountain range
1t is simple, strong, striking, and can be seer
from any point ia the neighborhood, the posi-
} tiOn having been happily chosen.