The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-26
|E ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.
.vsypEST AND CABINET AT FRED
ERICKsBURG.
Laid of Monument Pre-
..~ted by Gen. ButterfieId-
s,eeches by Gems. sickIes, Wheel
or ana other Prominent Men.

FREDERICKSBURG. Va, May SON
- very ground over which the old Fifth
- charged at Fredericksburg, President
~srinIey. his cabinet and Gen. Miles to-
- vitnessed the laying of the corner
sss,s IN Z shaft which will perpetuate. In
sSsrse and granite, the heroism of the
~ Of the Potomac. 1t was an impress
- eeremony, and rendered the more SO
4 y ~ fact that, among the hundreds who
-4tneesed the events, were noted leaders of
s.ss the Federal and the Confederate
seeee. The monument was the personal
~ a Gen. Daniel Butterfield to the Ma
,trnai Memorial Association. This, In
,s.eY. was an unique feature, as the bat
,isoeid monuments heretofore have been
roatIy the gifts of corporated societies or
srvplshed by popular subscriptions. Gen.
rufteraeld was himself present. and
sssisted In the ceremony, but owing to i'll
b1alth the committal of the monument to
~ secretary of war was made by Col.
m one OF the veterans of the Fifth
sorps. The ceremony was with due Ma
ssn1c rites, and at its completion the sec
rslssy Of war accepted the gift in the
ssrs Of the American people.
welcomed ut the Courthouse.
me visit OF the president to Fredericks-
,rrsien Of the Army of the Potomac. The
tovn was in gala dress. and turned out en-
napoe 70 receive the distinguished visitors.
ne prssdent and party were welcomed at
- oourthouse, which was decorated with
a. national colors and the various corps
~ 81 the Army OF the Potomac. We'll
nn1ne speeches were made by prominent
vdorans of the civil war, and afterward
- resident held an Informal reception at
De home of ST. George r. Fitzhugh, where
y vas welcomed by hundreds of the
luossfolk, both white and colored.
~ the close OF the ceremonies the presi-
6Gl1al party returned to Washington, but
IN reunion services OF the Society of the
Any Of the Potomac were continued at
~ h the opera house, where addresses
VSfe made by number of veterans, in
ds4iag Cen. Joseph Wheeler. who said. in
Speech Of Gen. Wheeler.
~ history OF the army of the Potomac
rss1@nts features which are very distinc-
iive In their character. Its record. con-
d1U1ng the numbers engaged and the
aAD1inary character of Its battles, pre-
poltl picture of martial prowess unsur-
mn Of the battles In which this army
vas engaged nearly third of it's officers
and soldiers were either killed or wound
a. while In the great battles of Europe
The losses seldom exceeded one-seventh,
and tn many OF the European battles
which history describes as severe and
angulnary the killed and wounded were
enly from 5 to 10 per cent. of the force
engaged. The fearful casualty list of both
eeolsnling armies in the civil war was
csIDsd BY the determined courage of the
any which attacked and the stubborn
rsdstance OF those who met and resisted
he assauting column.
i vas this heroic conduct which
IN nj fill
sftnMd qualities of American soldiers.
Dstth 10 a. all times surrounded by sad
ues and sorrow, and this Is especially
true when the victims are the youthful,
sueyant spirits who are always first to
eo4I their country's call to arms but the
uavery OF such men on the field. where
iheir lives are sacrificed, Is the most
precious memory In the history of our
country, Their martial example Is our
pr'oe, e,ery, safety and strength
distinguished Party Present.
nir weather favored the presidential
puy IN their visit to the memorial serv-
- Of the Army OF the Potomac here to-
avg special train from Washington ar
nsea a. ll:lV and found the whole popuia-
uen Of this staid vicinity and town group
= hpout the depot or mnssed along Main
Hrset, with the national colors appearing
uGywhere. The president was accom-
psnled w all the members OF his cabinet
except Secretary Wilson There were also
y ~. we party Ven. Miles, Gen, Wheeler,
.orner Adit. Gen. Rugges who was coll
y. go q the presidents old regiment during
'ls war and the Marine band
me procession formed M the depot and.
headed by the Marine band. moved at once
y tne courthouse, where public exercises
80 held and an official welcome rendered
y me Society OF the Potomac The adj
s srss q welcome was delivered by St.
veo1ke Il, titzhugh and response was made
Wy oen Martin I, Mcmahon
speech of Welcome.
Mr Fftshugh's grafton was striking
psee q oratorieal work He paid the high
~ tribute 70 the Army of the Potomac
~ 9 Their Confederate opponents saying
~, 70 erase the names a. the Spottsyl-
ina nattieiields from the history Of .hs
y smetican army would be to rob Il of half
- gsory The same bloodshed on the
:, s.seaeffcfshurg fields. he said, still flowed
\, ". .ne veins OF the American soldiers
!, ~nereser the American arms might be In
~ iuture, whether those who bore them
~ 80 ,ex.r ederals or ex-Confederates or de-
asenaants or the two. they would stand
louder saIsr to shoulder, and their record