Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1898-05-12
CHICKAMAUGA PARK

r + there is anything of inspiration in
the association of ideas, any
l. added patriotism and courage
to be gained by daily life on
n field where 14OOO Union sol
diers died in the hardest fought.
most magnificent and thrilling series of
battles in the civil war. the regulars,
national guarlsmen and volunteers
who encamp i'll the Chickamauga Park
should be able to fight like fiendS incar-
nate. Tenting again on the old camp
ground in the midst of one of the most
beautiful bits of country which God has
given to this faircst OF lands. it is hard
to believe that war and death were
within Il few hours ride by rail.
AS, standing on Lookout Mountain,
the eye sweeps over the glorious view
below, Finch's prophecy rushes to
mind
No more shall the war cry sever,
Or the winding rivers be red.
No more, indeed, as to a divided ma
ton, and foreign complications We're
then unthought of. Where battle lines
of 100000 men surged thrty-fivc years
ago. 10000 soldiers of the redeemed re-
public awaited the word which sends
them forth TO strike the shacklcs from
another race The heroism of their
fathers is an open book to these soldiers
of to-day.
DEDICATION SEPT. 10, 1898.
Little more than two short years ago
the Park was dedicated with imposing
ceremonies, after the nation had spent
nearly million dollars on it, ana vari-
Gus States almost half million more.
New York States share being $4,000.
The Governor of Ohio. now the prcsi-
dent of the United States, was there.
All thought then that the park ever
more was dedicated to peace. Western
men, almost entirely, represented the
Union in the six battles fought within
the park. Ohio has more than fifty mon
uments on the fields, and Illinois nearly
100. Twenty-nine States had regiments
in these battles. and each one of these
States either has put up monuments
to mark the position of her troops or
will erect them soon. The General Gov
eminent has remembered in similar
manner the position of the regular regi-
ments. Eight generals who fell on
both sides are commemorated by
mounds of shells and solid shot. Where
batteries were posted are 300 or 400
mounted cannon, of the pattern used in
the war. Half a dozen steel towers
seventy feet high rear their slender
forms from commanding positions on
the fields. and afford to the visitors com
Drehensive views.
The park boundaries inclose about
fifteen square miles, not including the
fine roads or approaches. The largest
part of the park is the battlefield of
Chckamaugn. in Georgia, and the next
largest part takes in Lookout Mountain,
Missionary Ridge and Orchard Knob,
near Chattanooga. in Tennessee. Nearly
fifty miles of roads improved 10y the
General Government connect the differ
ent sections of the park. These are the
same roads which the soldiers of the
two armies used to reach the scene of
battle. All roads which have been open
ed since the war have been closed, and
those in use then which since had been
closed were opened by the park com
mission. Land which was covered with
trees in war days and since had been
cleared was planted with saplings. Ev-
cry effort has been made to put the park
in its war time condition.
To thousands of persons who never
have been there, including many old
soldiers who fought on other fields, the
cyclorama of the battles of Missionary
Ridge and Lookout Mountain which has
been on exhibition in various cities has
given a good idea of the country and
the battle scenes.
It was at Chickamauga. where
Thomas stood like 4 rock" that Gar
field distinguished himself He was
chief of staff to Rosecrans. and was
sent by that general to warn Thomas
that LongStreet. with his 10000 men
was marching to turn the right flank OF
Thomas army. Garfield started of
with n captain and two orderles. They
ran into an ambush. the captain was
wounded, the two orderlies killed and