Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-21

plicated than the others. for their evolu-
tions were so much fewer and simpler.
ON the first day they occupied line
OF battle. from which We drove them COM
pIetely away to a distance OF more than
a mile
ON the second day we likewise drove
Thorn over half a mile back from a large
part OF the new line they had occupied
drove them from every point which We
attacked that day.
THE GLORIOUS TIRGINIANS.
n, tho third day-to which we had
Hammered them back" as some one has
ovnressed n. into their true military po-
s,fion"-tbey stood fast and held their
grmnd while your glorious old Vir-
oinians and their comrades from other
states were cut to pieces by the storm OF
shot and she'll as they made the assault
across the open fields. 1850 yards wide,
against the serried ranks or their adVer-
saries behind stone walls. oh. the pity
OF III / never look over that ground
without tears, and oftentImes l go alone
and Law my hand on the pillar which
marks the spot where Armistead ieu,
and bow my head I'm reverence and grief
over the great heart that was stilled
there.
we have not yet got title 10 much OF
the land over which that third-day's as
SAINT wa, made. nor even where the lines
were formed for IL. But our present con-
deunation proceedings. 10 which I have
alluded. embrace a portion OF that ground.
and we hope before long to be able TO
begin the erection OF suitable memorials
on il.
assure YOU that the acquisition OF
anything like complete and trustworthy
information OF the details OF the Con-
federate movements and evolutions has
been and is a herculean task. have de-
voted 10 it my most diligent efforts for
the three years ! have been here as com
missioner, and the truth begins TO unfold
itself TO me pretty satisfactorily now
Nv colleagues on the commission are ex-
ceedingly pleasant and well-informed
gentlemen. and being Union soldiers, are.
Of course. absolutely impartial investiga-
tors and umpires on Confederate prob
lens. We search for information from
every source-frst, the official records,
then notes and memoranda taken by
divers persons on various matters in those
days-surgeons, convalescent wounded,
etc. etc. We also seek TO have as many
as possIble of the Confederates in this
battle come and visit us, and point out
positions aud recount movements; ana
we have had quite a number Of them
there some of high rank, such as Gene
rails Heth Porter. Alexander, Fftz Lee,
Longstreet, and others.
STEEL OBSERVATORIES.
AS 70 avenues. we have constructed and
are having out sundry others. besides
what / have mentioned; some along the
Union lines, some running across be-
tween the hostile lines and positions.
we have built some bridges, and five
steel observatories, seventy-five feet high
ON different elevated points, so as to
Give a perfect view Of tho whole field.
Most persons are surprised when told
that this battlefield including the three
davs' fight, covers twenty-five square
miles.
The government seeks TO make 1t a
monumental field, accurate in historic
details. and a perpetual memorial of our
matchless American manhood; and il In
vites our Confederate States and people
10 cooperate in realizing its plans. The
Ideals a good and worthy one. There is
no humiliation TO be feared. nor any
ground for jealousy or constituencies on
our part. There is military glory enough
there for all TO have a share. Our chill
dren will 20 there from Dixie, in the
future. and feel pride in the prowess Of
their fathers. And even our adversaries
will say. as Lincoln said, II am proud TO
know they were my countrymen who
dorad IN charge these heights"