Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-05-30
TO MARYLAND'S sons
Monument to Her Heroic Dead
Unveiled at Antietams
BLUE and GRAY REMEMBERED
President Mckinley, With Party
From Washington, Was Present.
DECORATIONDA

HAGERSTOWN, Md, May 30-Another
link in the chain which binds together the
once warning factions Of the north and
south was forged today by the dedication
of a monument erected to the memory of
men who wore the gray as we'll as those
who wore the blue and who died in mortal
combat the bloody field Of Antietam.
This event, which is probably without
parallel in the history of the world. was
graced by the presence of the President Of
the United States. accompanied by many
members Of his cabinet: a score or more Of
United States senators, thrice as many
members of Congress, the governor of
Maryland and prominent men from all
parts Of the country. There were also pres
ent hundreds of veterans who fought for
the 'lost cause and thousands who fought
for the side that proved victorious. Side by
side and shoulder to shoulder they stood
with uncovered heads throughout the cere-
mony which marked the conveyance of the
monument from the state Of Maryland to
the national government.
All animosities forgotten, they listened to
the simple STORIES Of those who told Of the
heroism Of the dead and Of the desperate
struggles of those who survived the battle
and still live to tell the many incidents of
the day Of the carnage and strife. A great
crowd of others. who had come from all
spectacle and to greet the chief executive
of the nation, aided by their presence the
impressiveness of the ceremony and added
to the Significance Of the occasion.
Arrival of the President.
The train which brought the President,
the members of his cabinet and the con-
gressionai party from Washington reached
the battle field at noon, where they were
welcomed by Governor John Walter Smith
of Maryland and staff. Adjutant General
Saunders, delegation of the officers of
the Maryland National Guard, and several
posts of the Grand Army of the Republic
of the division of Maryland, together with
members of Herbert Camp of Confederate
Veterans, several camps Of Sons of Veter-
ans of both armies and survivors OF
Brockenbrough's Maryland Artillery, which
fought with the confederate troops and dis
tinguished itself at Antietam Besides
these organized bodies We're scores of con-
federate veterans who had taken part in
the various battles of the civil war. These
were drawn w in line to greet the Presi-
dent, who together with Governor smith
watched them as they passed in review.
The dedicatory ceremonies were opened
by Colonel benjamin E. Taylor, who intro
duced General Henry kyd Douglas. direc-
tor of ceremonies. Prayer was offered by
the Rev. B. F. Clarkson, who was followed
by Governor John Walter Smith in an adj
dress of welcome. Colonel Taylor. as pres
ident of the Antietam battle field commits
sion of Maryland. then presented the monu-
ment to the national government. and Mr.
Eiihu Root, Secretary of War. in brief
address, accepted it on behalf of the United
States. Then followed short addresses.
mainly of reminiscent character, by Cen
erals John b. Brooke. James I1ongstreet,
Orlando B. Wilcox, J. f. Duryee, Sena-
tors Foraker, Burrows, Daniel and others
who were prominent on the opposing sides
in the great struggle. These were followed
in turn by Representative George B. Nc
Clellan of New York. and other members of
the United States Senate and House of
Representatives. This concluded. the band
played Hail to the Chief" and General
Douglas introduced President Mckinley,
who delivered the address of the day.
The exercises closed with benediction
by the Rev. VIM. Dame.
Description of the Monument.
The monument Is of granite and bronze.
octagon. twenty-five feet in diameter at
base and thirty-fve feet high to the top Of
the statue. Upon the base rest columns,
representing eight Maryland commands who
We're present at the battle united in sup
porting the Temple Of Liberty" which Is
of bronze and forms the canopy.
The whole is surmounted by a bronze
statue, representing Peace" with sword
sheathed and pointed downward. The figure
holds a laurel wreath over the hilt of the
sword. On four of the faces Of the monu-
men are bronze bas-reliefs, representing
scenes in the battle. On the interior faces
of the buttresses are eight bronze tablets.
bearing in raised letters the name and rec
ord during the war of the eight oreaniza-
tons commemorated by the monument. The
monument cost $4,000. The original design
drawn by the late Mai. Henry G. Ora
ham of the 5th Maryland Infantry and was
afterward modified by the Harrison Granite
Company, who were the contractors for the
erection of the monument.
The commands thus honored are the Cd
Sd, 4th. 9TH and Purnell Legion, regi-
ments Of infantry: and batteries and b.
enbraush's and Dement'S Batteries of con-
federate artillery.
The movement to erect the monument
grew out of desire of the Maryland mem
bers Of the Grand Army of the Republic
to honor the dead of Maryland who fell in
the battle. The Grand Army at first con-
tenplated erecting the monument only to
commemorate the Union dead. but Norman
&. Scott, state senator from Washington
county in 1888. influential in having
the appropriation include the confederate
dead. The commission was appointed at
the session Of the general assembly in 1888
the sum of $4,000 being appropriated to
erect a monument and suitably mark the
location of the several Maryland commands
engaged on both sides. The battlefield is
near Sharpsburg. Md, place beautiful in
itself at this season. but rendered still more
beautiful by the many monuments erected
there and ornamented by beautiful roads
constructed by order Of the United States
government.
The commissioners having in charge the
erection of the monument are as follows:
Col BENJAMIN F. Taylor, president; Gen
Henry kyd Douglas. Capt. Joseph NJ Suds-
burg, Messrs. George Lennon Osmun La
trobe, William Gibson, Theodore j. Vanne-
man. William II. Parker and William F.
Dement, and Lieut.. George R. Graham sec
rotary.