The Washington times., 1903-07-05
UNIQUE CELEBRATION
ON AN OLD BATTLEFIELD
Monuments Unveiled to
Kings Mountain Heroes.
MANY STATES REPRESENTED
Big Gathering Of Descendants of Old
Soldiers Near Greensboro, N. c.
Colonel Henderson Orator.

GREENSBORO. n. c., July 4.-There
was a unique celebration in the old
Guilford Court House battlefield near
here today. 1t consisted of the unveil-
ing of the monuments to several heroes
OF the battle OF Kings Mountain. by the
descendants of the men to whom the
shafts were erected. and the descend
ants of the men who served under them.
Another monument to Washington was
dedicated. There was an address by
Col. E. c. Henderson, of Tennessee. and
short speeches by some of the descend
ants. A number Of visitors from other
States We're In attendance.
The scene OF the celebration is also
unique In that 1t is the only battle
field in the United States which has been
bought and set apart at private expense
as a memorial. The field is five miles
from Greensboro. the latter town. by
the way. being named after the COM
mander OF the American troops in the
fray, Gen. Nathaniel Greene.
Company Formed.
The Importance of the battle has al
ways been recognized, but it remained
for public spirited citizens OF Green's
boro. under the leadership of Hon. David
Schenck. TO make active efforts TO Sc
cure the land on which it was fought as
a permanent memorial.
The "Guilford Battle Ground Com
pany' was accordingly incorporated
March z. 1887, with an authorized capt.
tai of $2S, 600. in shares Of SIS each, Ito
raise funds to purchase. reclaim and
beautify the grounds upon which the bat
tie OF Guilford Court House was fought
March 10, 1881" Judge Schenck being
elected the first president.
Many Improvements.
The first act Of the company was to
purchase the site of the battlefield, about
seventy-fve acres.
AS funds have been forthcoming this
land has been beautiHed by clearing out
the underground in the forests, by SOW
ing the waste fields in cereal crops and
grasses. and by marking the site of the
principal events with appropriate monu-
monts.
The old roadways. long unused, have
been restored as they were in 1871. A
large building in which to hold public
meetings, a lodge for the Keeper, and a
museum for Revolutionary relies, have
been built a lake Of clear water.
numerous springs. protected by neat
spring houses, and shaded walks and
drives. add to the natural attraction.
until today this battlefield is one of the
most interesting places in the state. and
instills its lessons of patriotism into the
hearts OF thousands of visitors from
home and abroad.
Maryland Monument.
one OF the first monuments to attract
the attention o. the tourist is that of
William Hooper. a native OF Boston
whom Adams calls ''one OF the three
foremost orators and statesmen of his
day. whose remains, with that of d
feilow-signer OF the Declaration OF In
dependence from North Ca-olina-John
Penn-have found last resting place in
this memorable spot.
General Sumner, native Of the State,
who fought bravely through the war. is
also buried here.
Members of the Maryland Historical
Society. through the Efforts Of Edward
Graham Dawes. of the Harvard class O,
1854. have honored the memory OF the
First Maryland Regiment by tablets. OF
bronze set in huge granite block.
Boy Honored.
The North Carolina volunteers. a small
body Of whom. under Major winston on
the left wing Of the first line, held their
own throughout the fight and were the
last men 70 leave the ground. are com
memorated in a bronze statue of a min
ute man, set on granite pedestal. on
the spot where they maintained the
Tight so long
This was the gift of Ex-Governor Holt.
Gillies, drummer boy, who was wan
tonly killed by Tarlton's dragons. after
the battle, has lasting memorial in
bronze, the gift OF the students of Oak
Ridge Institute. a large boys school
nearby.
British Relics.
Fair-minded men love to honor brave
foe, and the gallant Colonel Stuart. Of
the Guards, Is recalled by a stone mark
Ing the spot where he fell; his sword.
beautifully chased. with the coat of arms
Of the Blantyre family Of Scotland. was
found on the spot some years ago and Is
now In the Battle Ground Museum.
The persimmon tree. near which Corn
wallis horse was shot from under him
is still standing. and is called to the
visitors attention by a suitable fuscrip-
tion.
a bill passed the House OF Representa-
tiyes last year appropriating $40 900 for
monuments to Generals Nash and David
son. and an earnest and successful effort
has been made 10 have them erected ON
the battle ground. Efforts have also been
made to have the remains Of General
Greene removed to this spot fit resting
place for the real victor OF this battIo