The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1897-05-02

ticipatiOn.
Believing that it will be SO, and that
it will continue to be a public benefac-
ton, we now, as Chairman of the Me-
mortal Grove Committee, have the
honor and profound pleasure to pre-
sent to the honorable Park Commits
sioners this historic group of trees,
taken from more than forty leading
battlefields Of the late Civil War, which
are to form sacred grove, a living,
growing monument concentrating the
memory of those who fell in battle dur
ing that great conflict for the Union.
AS further introduction we will re-
call to your minds briefly the thrilling
events connected with the history of
each battlefield that these trees repre-
sent.
Here is Gettysburg and Antietam,
battling against invasion to save the
National Capital; we bow with rever-
ence at the name Gettysburg, for we
are reminded of that great heart, who
at that place proclaimed to a distressed
and respondent country, Malice to-
ward none and charity to ALL
Harper's Ferry, with more than one
historic Renaissance that will go
marching on" until the end of time.
Bull Rum the first menace of the war,
where defeat only inspired to greater
courage. Manassas, where the brave
Phil. Kearney fell. Balls Mluff, who
viii not pause and take a second look
at these little unpretentious elms, that
are the only tribute of the kind in all
this Golden West commemorating the
valor and death of a soldier, citizen and
statesman, General John D. Baker.
Taken, as our correspondent, Colonel
Richard Rhodes Of Virginia, informs us,
from near the spot where the brave
General fell. Not only this, but he
kindly sends US another from where
the Red Cross Hospital stood, and yet
another from where he ate his last
meal. All honor to those in authority,
who by this great courtesy and conces-
sion, made it possible for this order (the
Ladies of the G. A. RI and Circle No.
of Sacramento to place this first trib-
ute to his memory in our State Capitol
Park
Winchester, too, is here represented,
where Sheridan put Early on the run,
and Cedar Creek, with Sheridan twenty
miles away, whose timely arrival end
ed in glorious victory and saved the
Shenandoah.
Every mothers heart will throb with
sympathy for the bereaved mother who
lost seven sons in the battle at Ce-
dar Creek. We wish we could read the
letter from Henry K. Chrisman of Mid
dletoWn, Va, who on sending us the
tree taken from near the monument
erected to the memory of these martyrs
for the cause by their comrades from
Massachusetts, related this touching in
cident of the war:
Cedar Mountain is commemorated for
the valor of the day. Fredericksburg
and Charlottesville, both noted and
honored for courage and carnage,
where, alas, too many brave patriots
fell The Wilderness, ah, our Memorial
Grove would sadly fail of it's mission if
we did not plant a tree from the Will
derness, where ball and sword carried
devastation to friend and foe alike, and
flames of burning forests added addi-
tional terrors and hideousness to the
awful day but it was the first mile
post to mark the route in obedience to
the slogan, con to Richmond"
Spottsylvania Courthouse was
drenched in blood, and was post No. .
in the advance, and who has not heard
and read of Yellow Tavern, where the
great cavalry Generals, Sheridan and
Stuart met in deadly conflict, and Gus
ter, who so distinguished himself at this
time, and whose lamentable and tragic
death later on became a National ca
lamity. Custer Circle of Fresno has the
honor to represent this important event
Of the war, when victorious Sheridan
left the brave Confederate General Stu
art dead on the field and his gallant
cavaliers flying in confusion.
Cold Harbor, the last stand of Gen
eral Lee until the James was crossed.
Our friend and correspondent, NJ. NJ.
Jeffries Of Virginia, Superintendent of
National Cemetery, has ably assisted
us to memOrialiZe this important point
from where Richmond was invested
This tree was the first to arrive in re-
Spouse to our call, and it augured well
that it came on the anniversary of our
first President, General Washington.
Gaines Mills, Fair Oaks and Seven
Pines We're great events in our early
war histOry-and our banner circle,
Seven Pines Of San Francisco, is here
represented.
We now turn to the West, and give a
passing notice to historic Lexington,
where Colonel Mulligan so nobly sus-
tanned the credit Of our arms.
Big Blue, where General Prices last
invasion was brought to a disastrous
ending.
Wilson's Creek. the field on which
brave Lyon fell, and Pea Ridge We're
all in our favor.
Fort Donelson, where an army sur
rendered.
Perryville, Stone River, we have them
ALL where hard drought battles and
many brave boys lay down to die in de-
Tense of the flag
Shiloh, the historic Shiloh, where bat
tie ragged as with fails of iron from
daylight to dark, and the day closed
dismaily on our arms, but next days
sun was better omen and victory our
reward
Corinth, strategic point. and at
Vlcksburg another great army surren-
dered, and the great Mississippi once
more ran untroubled to the sea.
At Franklin, Schoneld made his GAL
liant defense. At Nashville the sturdy
Thomas dispersed the last vestige of
the Confederate army
Chattanooga, too, and Mission Ridge.
with the stars and stripes unfurled
upon the nights of Lookout Mountain,
are each commemorated here. Chicka-
manga marked record of defeat, but
the noble army was saved by Thomas
Kenesaw Mountain like Grant in the
Wilderness, was Shermans first sta
tion toward Atlanta and success
though, alas, the brave Mcpherson was