Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1897-07-02


grand military and civic procession
and imposing ceremonies. Fillmore
was president, and Daniel Webster,
then secretary of state, delivered
the oration, which was one of his
most dignihed, eloquent and impress
sive public speeches.
MEMORABLE BATTLES.
1t was an anxious Fourth of July
that dawned upon the country in
1861 Civil war had become a dread
reality. Confederate troops had
been assembling for weeks across
the Potomac in Virginia Appre-
tensions for the safety of Washing
ton were rife and Federal troops
were throwing up Notifications and
pushing into the field. Almost
daily reports were coming in of
skirmishes and light engageinents
between the opposing forces. In
this crisis the Fourth was celebrated
with renewed fervor. Congress met
in special session on that day, the
only time in the history of the coun-
try that the day has been chosen for
such a purpose. There was a dram
attic force in the arrangement that
was not without its effect in stimu
lating patriotism in the then tense
condition of the public mind. AT
once President Lincoln. sent in his
message calling for 400, 900 men and
$400, 100000 and urging prompt
measures for the prosecution of the
war;
The month of July, 1868, opened
with much of hope and anxiety
throughout the country All eyes
north and south were turned toward
Gettysburg and Vicksburg, and
there was little thought anywhere
save for the opposing armies that
faced each other For several weeks
the invasion of Pennsylvania by the
Confederate army of the Potomac
had been talked of. The state mill
tia of Pennsylvania had been called,
and President Lincoln had sum
moned troops from Pennsylvania,
Ohio, Maryland and West Virginia
to repel the invasion. The Confed-
crates had crossed the Potomac and
several small engagements had al
ready occurred On the lst of July
the two great forces-the flower of
the Confederate and the Union
armies-met in what was to be one
of the greatest battles of modern
warfare. The world knows the san
culinary glory of Seminary Ridge,
Rock Creek, Cemetery Ridge, Little
Round Top and Oak Ridge, and the
great deeds of Meade, Reynolds,
Hancock, Sickles, Howard, Sedg-
wick. Lee, LoDgstreet, Hill, Early
and others. For three days the
country stood aghast and trembling,
but when the Fourth dawned Lee
was in full retreat back across the
Potomac.
Nor does Getty ysburg stand alone
in making July 4, 1868, eminent.
Vicksburg comes in or n share in
the distinction. For many long
weary months Grant by land and
Porter by water had been besieging
the strong city on the banks of the
Mississippi. From the latter part OF
May the investment was complete
The doomed city was bombarded
without interinission day and night,
and it is estimated that 10000 shells
were thrown into its streets every
day. Capitulation was only a ques
ton of days or at the most of weeks
and on the Fourth the wornout
army of brave defenders surrend-
cred, and the triumph of the Union
forces was complete. General Hal,
leck, in speaking of the tactics that
secured this victory, declared thai
s'no more brilliant exploit can be
found in military history" To
gether Vicksburg and Gettysburg
have made the Fourth of July one
Of the most notable days in the mill
tary annals of this country.
THE GREAT PORTLAND FIRE.
Portland, Me, has impressive i
not agreeable reason to remembel
the Fourth of July. 1t was on thu
evening of that day in 1865 that th,
city had a display of fireworks un
equaled before or since. Nearly
one-half of the city was destroyed
by fire A tract 1 y miles long by
; One-quarter of mile wide wa
burned over. The city and COUNTY
buildings, churches, banks whole
sale business blocks and private re
sdences were destroyed Over s.