The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-06-27
N, 1orrv Iitcbfeld West. the ac

Mr.. Henry Litchfeld West, the ac
o,mplished correspondent OF the Wash.
ipgton. ID. O. Post, in the issue Of that
paper of last Sunday, gave six aud a
quarter column article descriptive of
our battlefelds and the trip of the u
S Government detail. which passed
over these fields last week, with the
view of passing upon the question OF
the advisability of converting them in
to a National Battlefields Park. Edi-
torially ON the same day. The Post
spoke as follows:
1t is to be sincerely hoped that the
effort TO preserve the battletields IN and
around Fredericksburg. Va, as ma.
tional memorial park will speedily sue
coed. There Is no locality in the United
States more sacred. more historical,
more worthy in every way Of national
care. The soil has been cOnsecrated by
the blood of countless thousands OF
heroes, by the patient suffering Of hun
dreds OF thousands whose agonies were
worse than death.
Within a radius of few miles around
Fredericksburg there are no less than
dozen battlefields, some Of which, Ike
Charlottesville, the Wilderness, and
Spotsylvania Court House. rank among
the most important as well as the most
desperate Of the war. From the fall OF
1862, when the campaign around Fred.
ericksburg began, until the spring OF
1864, when Grant commenced his move
ment upon Richmond, the territory
which is proposed 10 be embraced In the
park was the theater of many remark
able conflicts. Time has dealt gently
with the landmarks upon these battle
fields. The tren ches constructed by both
the Union and Confederate armies are
in fine state of preservation the more
formidable earthworks are intact, and
the general appearance Of the landscape
has but slightly changed. The park,
therefore, when il shall be established,
will present to the returning veteran a
familiar aspect. while the student of
military strategy can study with graft
flying accuracy the problems which
presented themselves to the opposing
commanders.
The State Of Virginia has done its
part in authorizing the transfer Of
property to the United States and in
arranging for condemnation proceed
ings. OF Congress very little is asked
The sum Of 800, 900, which will pur-
chase the land and preserve 1t for fu-
ture generations. is too small to be an
obstacle in the way Of Congressional
action Some six or seven thousand
acres are included in the proposed park,
so that the price per acre is ridiculous
ly low. In fact, the carefulness with
which surveys have been already made,
the economy which has been shown In
the effort 10 secure the necessary land,
and the unselfish. patriotic purpose
which has inspired and guided the pro-
motors of the project are all worthy OF
the highest praise and must commend
the enterprise TO Congress.
These battlefelds are glorious object
lessons. No one can visit them without
having his patriotism stirred, his love
of country deepened They afford, as
nothing else can do, realization Of the
great sacrifices and courage displayed
on one side, of the devotion and bravery
manifested on the other. No one can
witness the scenes of these desperate
struggles without feeling proud Of his
American citizenship.
In the name Of reunited country,
let these battlefelds be preserved.