The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-02-15
Weather forecast for Fred
eTicksbur0 and oicinitV.
Thursday rain, fresh east
0n;D1e

present congress tnat more people oil
over the United States feel per
sonal interest in and pray that
it may be passed, than the bill
to establish the Fredericksburg and
Adjacent National Bsttle6elds Mem
orial Park.
The association that has this mat
ter in charge, and will have until the
bill is passed, has membership in
nearly every State in the Union, and
that membership embraces ex.Federal
and ex.Confederste soldiers, Of all
ranks, from private to general, and
even Senators and Members of Con-
gress. The bill ought to be passed
l. Because the movement to estab-
lsh the park was prompted by the
purest patriotic motives on the part
of its originstors. Not an indiyid
ual member Of the association is Pc
cuniarily interested in the sale of the
land, nor has an individual been cal
led upon, in or out of the association,
to contribute dollar to further this
object.
2. Because it is the only spot in
the United States where NATION
AL park can be established. In some
one Of the FIVE battles fought on this
territory every State, North and South
was represented. and every State,
participated and lost in these battles,
therefore, every one shares in the
glory Of these fields, and is justly
proud Of the conspicuous gsllantry
and deeds Of daring displayed there
on by its troops.
3. Because the park will embrace
four Of the hardest fought and most
ssnguinary battles of the civil war,
and two of the most important en-
gsgements connected with them
namely: Fredericksburg, covering a
period Of FIVE days; Hsmilton's Cross
ing and Salem Church, one day each;
Charlottesville, two days; the Viii.
derness, three days; and Spotsyl.
vania Courthouse, which may be con-
sidered a continuation of the Wilder
ness, twelve days.
4. Because this ground contained
in the proposed park was baptized
with. and consecrsted by the best
blood of the two contending armies,
and will be held sacred ty the thous-
ands of soldiers who fought and bled
there, and by their descendants for
all time to come.
5. Because the earth works and
lines of battle erected and laid out by
the masters Of military science, such
as Burnside, Hooker, Meade, Grant
and Lee, should be preserved through |
coming generations.
G. Because these fields afford les
sons in military science, both in de.
fensive and offensive warfare, that
the military student cannot find else
where.
z. Because it is the opinion of mil
itsry scientists, who have visited and
viewed these fields, that military |
students could learn more of the |
science Of war in the study of these
various fields for three months, than
they could learn at West Point in an
entire session.
s. Because more than five hun
dred thousand soldiers have been en-
gagged in deadly conflict within
the small area covered by these |
fields and the preliminary engage
ments leading up to the battles fought |
on them.
0. Because nearly one hundred |
and fifty thousand soldiers were |
either KILLED, wounded or captured |
on these several battle fields.
10. Because more than four hun
dred thousand veterans Of the Union
and Confederate armies, who helped |
to make the memory of these battle.
fields grand aud glorious, earnestly |
pray that they may be preserved, and
that the lines Of battle may be suit
ably marked.
Il. Because the preservation of |
these fields will serve as lasting |
bond Of union between those who |
wore the blue and those who wore the !
gray. AS the taking of salt together
makes lasting friends of the Arab and
his travelling companion, so the fact
offighting on the same fields in our
great civil war, though on opposing
sides, forms bond of friendship
which only the true soldier can feel
and appreciate.
II. Because the radius of eight
miles in Spotsylvania county,
embracing all these engagements,
lie. and must ever be, the Mecca Of
the great civil struggle. No other
place can approximate it in the num-
Der Of battles. the men engaged or
the losses sustained. From Maine
to California and from the lakes to
the great gulf live men who engaged
10 one or more Of these battles and