The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-06-24

armies in these battles. and l return
with knowledge of strategy utterly
otherwise impossible. For instance,
1.-THE Bloody Angle stood out today
an object lesson II should be utiliz ii
by the government as study for rs West
Point cadets, in annual pilgrimage,
that they might see the perfection Of
military science as applied In actual
most bloody warfare | most heartily
favor. as the result Of my trip, the
purchase OF all the battlefelds by the
government. and making them into
one grand park, that the American Cit
zen for all time TO come, can see and
APPRECIATE the grandest lesson Of the
world in military skill and yalor''
Hon. Frank Hume IL Is great
privilege and pleasure TO have been with
the Park Commission, after lapse OF
over thirty.six years | was astoni,hed
at the wonderful preservation Of the
earthworks. which, though hastily
thrown up, have dehed time. Inc stu
dent Of military history should have an
opportunity Of studying the best Efforts
Of the two modern giants IN military
tactics Lee and Grant-as eXempliied
i'm the stragetic movements around
Spotsylvania Court House My only
interest in this subject Is 10 see these
works and lines preserved, and the only
way this can be done Is 10 have the
Federal Government take charge Oh
them and put the roads IN such condl-
ton that visitors can easily reach them.
And when that is done everyone VIII
wonder why II was not done years
ago
Mr.. Hume was member OF the IA.
nous SouthrOns. formerly commanded
by Jefferson Davis in the Mexican
war. The S0uthrons were incorporated
in the 2lst Mississippi Regiment Of
Barksdale's Brigade, and laid In the
streets of this city during the fearful
bombardment of December II.
Major II. l. Biscoe-' Having visited
the battlehelds in Spotsylvania county
Va. where the Union and Confederate
troops fought during the late civil war
beginning at Marye's Heights, near
fredericksburg, and taking IN all
points Of interest TO Hamllton's Cross.
ing, | found that most Of the land
marks, such as forts, ltle pits artillery
Notifications aud other marks Of inter
est are mostly in good state Of pre-
servation. The approaches to many of
these historic places are easy. as some
Of the roads are in fair condition ana
others very bad II does seem to me
that the L. 5 Government should,
while these places Of such interest can
be purchased at very reasonable prices
secure them for a national park. The
whole country North and South ismuch
interested and this interest must con-
tinue to increase, and unless secured al
an early date, all the land marks viii
be oblterated save few small monu-
ments erected to the memory of the
gallant dead Of both sides on or near
the places they fell -
II. l.. West THE trip Of the last two
days has been an object lesson Of sur
passing interest. | am sure that when
Congress realizes the excellent preser-
walton Of the military features Of the
historic battlefields, there Will be no
difficulty in securing the necessary ap-
preparation | say this, knowing the
favorable sentiment which has developed
In Congress toward battlefield memoir al
parks and surely Of all the projects
which have been brought 10 the atten-
ton Of the National Legislature, this
is the most deserving in its importance
and historical value
Major O + Hine. FairfaX~' ] am very
much impressed by the trip over the
fredericksburg Chancellorsville and
Wilderness battle fields. and am more
than convinced that the general Gov
eminent should at once acquire these
lands for a great national park | was
surprised at the cheapness Of these
lands, at this time. "a well as their
value as farm lands. When | passed
through the Wilderness Campaign, !
was not favorably impressed with this
region but when | saw the fine farms
Of Mr.. Hall, Mr. Ohewning and others
in the heart Of this Wilderness | was
convinced that in the near future these
lands must naturally appreciate in value
and the plow will soon Obliterate the
rifle pits and earth works that are now
so clearly defined, hence these reco rds
Of the heroism and manhood Of Amer
lean soldiers should be preserved before
it is too late by setting apart those bat
tie scenes as national park.
recognized many points where /
was actively engaged from May 9TH 10
the 18th. 1864, and am astOnished
that there are so few changes In the
generation that has passed since SO
much history was written on these
fields
The citizens Of Fredericksburg will
be held in grateful remembrance Tor
the perfect arrangements made to make
these two red letter days in the expe-
rience Of every member Of the party.
George Alfred Townsend-"l had
never seen the batrlefelds before and
my journey through them was agreea-
bic and inspiring To read those bat
tleAoyer will now be a new delight
Nv special interest was in Jackson 5
monument and the works at Spotsyl-
vania. The careful and disinterested
attention of the committee OF treder-
icksburg was happy revelation OF the
Virginia character. -
WHO ENTERTAINED THE VISITORS.
During their stay here Gen. King,
Col. Taylor, Engineer Owen and Mr..
Geo. Alfred Townsend were entertain
ed by Mr.. st. George r. Fitzhugh Mr.
Harry L. West and Mrs. West by Hon.
]. S Potter; Col Wheeler and Col.
Bird by Mrs. A. X Phillips. while the
others were at the Exchange Hotel.