Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1898-10-01
West Va. Monuments Dedicated.

On Wednesday last we had the
pleasure of witnessing the grand and
fitting tribute of the State, paid our
dead heroes. 1t was the dedication
of the four monuments lately erected
on the battlefield at Gettysburg IN
honor of the noble sons of West Vir-
ginia, who so freely gave their life
blood in defense of our country dur
ing the civil strife of 1904.
The dedication ceremonies were tit
ting and impressive, and witnessed
by a dense throng of citizens from all
parts of the State, the survivors OF
the commands, and the Second West
Virginia Regiment. Gov. Atkinson
and staff, and Gov. Hastings and
staff, of Pennsylvania, were present
and took part in the ceremonies.
AtI1 o'clock the march was taken
ND for East Cemetery Hill, the site of
the Seventh Infantry monument and
the scene of the days exercises.
Company A, of the Second Regi-
ment, acted as a special escort tor the
old veterans, who tramped along,
carving the colors of the Seventh In
fantry and the First and Third Cavalry
Regiments, now almost in tatters.
Then came Governors Atkinson
and Hastings on foot, followed by the
members of their stats in uniform.
After them came the regimental band,
and the regiment under command OF
Colonel D. T. E. Casteel, marching IN
fine manner and earning merited APP
plause.
On East Cemetery Hill the regi-
ment was drawn up in front OF the
stand erected and remained standing
and uncovered while the band played
America.
Professor T. c. Miller, Of the State
University, was master Of ceremonies.
PRAYER was offered by the Rev. Alfred
Z. Fletcher, of Fairmont. Professor
Miller introduced Governor Atkinson,
who delivered an excellent dedication
address, which was frequently APP
Dlauded. and transferred the monu
ments to the Battlefield Commis
sioners. Adjutant. General Appleton
followed, giving statistics concern
ing the commands, and John 5. kel
lev, of Philadelphia, the old Colonel
of the regiment, made historical adj
dress. Then the monument was IN.
yelled by his daughter, Miss Anna
Kelly. Governor Hastings was next
introduced by Gov. Atkinson and
made a splendid address.
The benediction was pronounced by
the chaplain OF the Second Regiment,
Rev. A. S. Kelly, the band played
the Star Spangled Banner, " and the
ceremonies came to an end. The
regiment passed in review before the
stand and marched back to camp.
Later in the afternoon Governor At
kiuson. his wife and other West Vir-
ginians visited Camp Snyder and
Shook hands with "the boys. "
West Virginia is represented by
four monuments on the battlefield,
those to the Seventh Infantry, the
First and the Third Cavalry and Bat
terv c, of the First Artillery. The
Seventh Infantry monument, which
stands near the crest OF East Gene
terv HILL is the most pretentious OF
The four. 1t is hspre OF private III
granite, at parade rest, and faces the
east, itom which point came the at
tack of the Louisiana Tigers. which
command the Seventh helped to re-
pulse. On the western tace is this
inscription:
Erected by the State of West Vir.
ginia to commemorate the valor and
fidelity of the Seventh West Vir'
ginia Infantry, Romney to Appomat
toX.
Then follows description of the
regiment part in the conflict.
The two cavalry monuments are
similar, the one standing on the Tan
eytown road and the other on Bufort
avenue, the scene of the first days
fight.
The Battery C's monument stands
| in the National Cemetery and ha'
crossed cannon balls and hammers cu'
on the polished face, The batter,
was engaged in the artillery duel tina
preceded Longstreet's assault on tn
afternoon of the third day.