Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-02
BATTLEFIELD MONUMENTS.
Repairs Needed to One of the First
Erected.

Erected.
Mr.. o. II. Oldroyd of this city recently
took a trip through Virginia. for pleasure
and recreation, and visited many of the
batteficlds of that historic region. He
saw much to interest him and talks enter
tainingly of his experiences. In a CONVEX
sation with a Star reporter, Mr.. Oldroyd
said
There We're two things ] saw on the
battlefield that ! am very much interested
in, and these were the monument comment
Grating the first great battle of the war,
July II, 1861, and the. one at Groveton, in
memory Of the boys who fell there August
%, 1862. They were the first monuments
erected upon battlefields.
1.-The idea of erecting these monuments
was conceived by Lieutenant McCallum of
the 18th Massachusetts Light Battery. and
under his superintendent they We're built
in four days, being completed June 10, 1865
He had large force, of soldiers to execute
the work. The day after their completion,
June II, chosen for the observance of
appropriate dedicatory ceremonies. Gener-
ais Heintzelman, Megs, Wilcox and Ben
ham were present.
Colonel Gallup, with his regiment of the
9TH PENNSYLVANIA Heavy Artillery a SQUAD
ron of the Sth Illinois Cavalry. and Captain
SCOTS battery of the 10th Massachusetts
Light Artillery, were drawn up in line when
the prominent officers arrived on the
grounds. Upon their arrival, the band
struck up a solemn dirge, and the troops
with reversed arms, marched up to the
monument which was to be dedicated
After prayer the burial service of the Epis-
copal Church was read by Rev. DR.. Nc
Murdy. A hymn, written for the occasion
by the poet, Pierpont, was sung a salute
fired by the artillery. and addresses by the
general officers closed the exercises
1.-The other monument erected by the
same parties about two miles distant, was
next dedicated with similar service This
monument is situated near the deep rail-
road cut on the farm of Mr.. VIM. Dogan.
Upon my visit to it / found tree had fall
en- against the top of the monument knock
ing off some of the top stones. The tree is
still resting against 1t. Relic hunters are
clipping the fallen stones, and the cement
is crumblirg from its foundation.
Upon my return home l reported these
facts to Colonel G. F. Humphrey deputy
Guartermaster general, and he kindly took
the matter in charge, but has since in
formed me that there is no appropriation
from which the expenses of repairing this
monument can be paid by his department.
In order. therefore, to have the proper re-
pairs made, ] have engaged Mr. VIM. NJ
Wheeler, with whom ] stopped upon nv
visit, to do the work He will charge but
a reasonable price, and In order 20 meet
this expense | propose to donate the pro-
ceeds of the admissions to see nv collection
of Lincoln memorials and to visit the house
in which the President died, SIG 10th street
northwest, from to II D. m. Saturday
evening, December T. / hope that q suf-
hcient number of people will be interested
In the preservation of this monument
erected in memory of the brave boys who
fell while charging that dangerous ridge to
enable the repairs to be made at once If
not attended to at once. the rain and ice of
winter Will level 1t to the ground"