Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-05-31

tc0 SAatcsy HONOR OF Mary.
land Soldiers, Unveiled at Anti
etam ENTHUSIASTICALLY Commem-
crates the Valiant Deeds of Both
Union and Confederate Soldiers.
Men Who Wore the Grey and
Those Who Wore the Blue, Fra
ternized and Made Successful the
Days Ceremonies.
HAGERSTOWN, Nd, May SO.-An-
other link in the chain which binds to-
gether the once warning factions of the
North and South was forged to-day by
the dedication of monument erected
to the memory of men who wore the
grey as well as those who wore the
blue and who died in mortal combat on
the bloody field of Antietam. The
event, which is probably without par
allel in the history of the world, was
graced by the presence of the President
OF the United States, accompanied by
many memoirs of his cabinet; score
or more of United States Senators,
thrice as many members of Congress.
the Governor Of Maryland and promi-
nent men from all parts of the coun-
try.
There also were present hundreds of
veterans who fought for the "lost
cause" and thousands who fought for
the side that proved victorious. Side
by SIDE, shoulder to shoulder they stood
with uncovered heads throughout the
ceremony which marked the convey
ance OF the monument from the State
OF Maryland to the national govern
ment.
All animosities forgotten they listen
ed 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 car
mage and of strife. A great crowd of
others who had come from all about
the adjoining country to witness the
spectacle and to greet the chief execu-
tive of the nation aided by their pres
ence the impressiveness of the cere-
mony anu added to the significance of
the occasion.
The train which brought the Pres
ident, the members of his cabinet and
the Congressional party from Wash
lngton, reached the battlefield at noon.
where they were welcomed by Gov.
John Walter Smith. of Maryland and
staff, Adjutant Gen. Saunders, a del
egation of the officers of the MARYLAND
4>ational Guard, and several Posts of
the Grand Army of the Republic of the
Division of Maryland, together with
members of herbert Camp of Confed-
crate Veterans, several camps of Sons
OF Veterans of both armies, and sur
ylvors of Brockenbrough' Maryland
artillery, which fought with the Con-
federate troops and distinguished itself
at Antietam Beside these organized
bodies were scores of Confederate vet
Grams who had taken part in the vari-
Gus battles of the civil war. These
were drawn UP in line to greet the
President, who, together with Gov.
Smith. watched them as they passed
in review.
The dedicatory ceremonies were
opened by Col. BENZ. E. Taylor, who
introduced Gen. Henry Kyd Douglas.
director of ceremonies. Prayer was Of
Tered by the Rev. b. F. Clarkson, who
was followed by Gov. John Walter
Smith, in an address of welcome Col.
Taylor, as president of the Antietam
battlefield commission of MARYLAND
then presented the monument to the
national government and the Hon.
Elihu Root, Secretary of War, in brief
address, accepted it on behalf of the
United States. Then followed short
addresses, mainly of a reminiscent
character, by Generals John B. Brooke
I1n4aS n,lo n
}. E. Duryee, Senators Foraker. Bur
rows. Daniel and others, who were
prominent on the opposing sides in the
great struggle. These were followed
IN turn by the Hon. George B. Nc
Clellan, of New York, and other mem
bers OF the United States Senate and
House Of Representatives. This con-
cluded, the band played "Hail to the
Chlef, and General Douglas introduced
President Mckinley.
The President said:
appear only for the moment that
| make make Acknowledgement for
your courteous greetings and express
my sympathy and approval. am glad
TO meet on this memorable field the fol-
lowers of Lee and Jackson and Loug-
street with the followers of Grant and
sherman and Sheridan, greeting each
others with affection and respect. One
reflection only has crowded my mind.
The difference between this scene and
that OF SO years ago Then the blue
greeted the gray with shot and shell.
we meet after all these years with but
one sentiment, that of loyalty to the
government and love for our flag and
determined to make any sacrifice for
the American union. I am glad of
that meeting of Grant and Lee at Apo
mattox. | am glad we were kept to-
gether and the union saved There
must be comfort in the fact that
American soldiers never surrendered
to any one but American soldiers. I
am glad to preside over a nation of
100000 of people more united than
they have ever been. The achieve
ments of that war are the
heritage of those who failed and
those who prevailed. When We
went to war two years, ago,
the men of the South Wed with the
men of the North in bravery. Togeth-
er the men of the North and the South
are standing to-day for the flag that
we love and which proudly waves over
us ALL
The monument is of granite and
bronze. octagon, % feet in diameter at
base and 35 feet high to the top Of the
statue Upon the base rest columns.