The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-01-06
The Acknowledgement Of the United

OtRtCc AAAtANe 0Nhs ONARfh 49,
cent report recommended the erection
Of four permanent camping grounds III
the United States for qusrtering troops
for instruction and mobilizing them IN
case OF war.
Ia concentrating troops for instruo'
tion and transportation ia the late war
with Spain such camping grounds were
greatly needed, as those temporarily
constructed were neither suitable nor
healthy, and in addition water was
hard 10 obtain and almost unfit for use
when obtained. The necessity OF suit
able camping grounds, therefore, was
impressed upon the Adjutant' General
and others Of high rank in the army,
and hence the recommendation in the
report referred TO for four permanent
camping grounds. located at different
points throughout the county.
We have no doubt bat this report will
receive due consideration. and the rec
0mmendation carried out in part, II not
altogether We would, therefore, sug'
gest that if any camping ground Is To-
Gated no place in this broad land would
be equal in advantages for its location,
TO the northern portion Of Spotsylvania
county, bordering on fredericksburg
And for this suggestion we give the
following reasons, which must COM
mend themselves to military authori-
ties:
/. In that part Of Spotsylvania county
were fought four Of the largest and
bloodiest battles Of the late civil war
Fredericksburg, Charlottesville, the
Wilderness aud Spotsylvania Court
house. The battledelds form almost
parallelogrsm. the center being some
seven miles from Fredericksburg. IL
is almost certain now that the govern
ment will purchase these battleheids.
and convert them into great National
Battle6elds Memorial Park, so as 30
preserve them. with the earth works OF
each contending army for all time 10
come for historical and professional
study, and to perpetuate the memory
Of the thousands of brave soldiers who
sacrificed their lives on those fields.
Within the area formed by these battle
fields are about eighteen square miles,
beautifully located. picturesque scenery
and the most historic spot, from mil
itary standpoint, on this continent. II
not in the world. In purchasing the
ground for the park. a small additional
appropriation would suffice 20 purchase
and fit up camping ground on spot
made for ever historic by four sanguin-
airy battles between the armies OF the
Union and the Oonfederacy.
2. This part Of Virginia is noted fl
its healthfulness 1t is located at the
head of tidewster, having the advan'
tages Of both the tidewater region and
the mountains, and being remarkably
free from the malaria Of the former
end the fevers Of the latter 1t was
the camping ground Of most OF Gen.
Lees army for two winters and part OF
two summers. while the Army Of the
Potomac was qusrtered near by, and at
no other point was the armies in bet
ter health, and freer Of diseases OF all
kinds. So noticeable was this fact,
that the army surgeons mentioned 1t in
their reports, which are no doubt on
fle in the War Office in Washington.
3. The place is well watered by run
ming streams, with plenty Of forest for
fire wood. Through this part Of the
county run the Pc, the Ny. Massapon'
ak, Hazel Run, and their tributaries,
which furnished all abundant supply
Of pure soft water for the armies OF
Gen. Grant and Gen. Lee in their
memorable contests in 1854 and which
remain today in about the same condi.
ton they were in at that time. But II
an additional supply for drinking and
cooking should be deemed necessary,
and from q source not 80 easily con.
tsminatsd, artesian wells could be
easily sunk. Being at the foot Of the
Blue Ridge mountains. wells sunk to
depth Of three or four hundred feet
would give flowing streams of water
fresh from the mountains, and as pure
as the mountain air.
4. This point is near the capital of
the country, would be easily reached
with supplies for the troops, aud troops
would be under the immediate eye Of
the commanding general aud the War
Department. Fredericksburg is fifty
seven miles from Washington and is
accessible by rail and water from all
directions. Less than two hours could
place the troops in Washington by rail
and two and half hours march would
land them at deep water on the Poto-
mac river at a point which is accessible
to large water craft of all descriptions,
thus making the transportation Of
troops easy and rapid.
In considering the question Of locat-
ing these camping grounds, therefore,
we trust that these claims, and others
that could be mentioned. may be con-
sidered and that one of the camps may
be located in Spotsylvania county.