Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1903-08-17
A vET TO THE GETTYSBURG
BATTLEFIELD.

The time is near when the National
Encsmpment OF G.. A. RS will be
convened for 1903 in the mammoth
city of the Pacific coast, a deserved
honor to San Francisco and the state
OF California but the attendance Of
"old vets" will never again equal the
thousands who moved on Washington
In 1902. IL was a gala week. Every
state and territory was represented
even from foreign countries they
came-but not az when war was
abroad In the land, armed with deadly
weapons, but laden with products of
industry and peace, examples of
enterprises in their home states, &C
companied by members of their fam
| lilies and friends, many of whom made
their first visit to the capital city.
1t was a glad meeting Of old comrades
who perchance had not met since the
stormy days of sixty-tbree, happy
reunion of many commands, and few
of the old commanders who led them
were present though aged and infirm,
their joyous hand clasp with the
"boys" showed the vigor of their
, outhful days. The great parade was
grand sight, and long will be re-
membered by those who witnessed it
as once again the "old vets" marched
on historic Pennsylvania avenue,
passing in review the grand stand
fronting the White House, as at the
end of hostilities in 1865 when the
great commanders, Gems. Grant,
Sheridan and Meade graced the occa-
sion with their presence. In their
! places were Commander Terrence,
| Sec. of War Root, with others distip
guished in civil and military life, in
Guiding a celebrated Confederate lead
er, Gen. Longstreet, who was COM
/ plimented with the stirring tune of
"Dixie," played by one of the many
famous bands in the parade that was
heartily cheered by hundreds of spec
tators. Many of the Posts were gor
geously uniformed, their superb
marching, military appearance, per-
feet cadence of step and we'll pre-
served alignment were cheered to an
echo. Though gray and grizzled,
many manned and battle SCARED, they
were more than six hours in line of
parade. Never sgain will the capital
city celebrate such an event. Ten
years had elapsed since the last en-
campment gathered within her gates.
1t was an occasion for thousands to
visit the many battle fields near
Washington. The opportunity was
improved by a party of Vermonters
making a raid on Gettysburg. Unlike
the famous campaign of 1853 in which
they participated they were on mis-
sion of peace imbued with desire to
again visit the scenes where they
faced the stern realities of war. The
route selected was confined to the
field occupied by the Federal Army,
the second and third days of the
battle. Gettysburg Is an ideal coun-
try village located on the eartern
slope of the Blue Ridge mountains in
slight depression f1anked on all sides
by hills and ridges. The most prom
inent are Seminary ridge, occupied
by the confederate army and Gene
terry ridge occupied by the federal
army, running nearly parallel and are
from one to two miles apart. 1t has
population of about 5000 people, is
the county seat of Adams county and
has the appearance of thriving town
located in the midst of fertile sec
ton with many we'll titled fields and
broad pastures. Its place in history
will always be prominent and interest
ing for within its borders was fought
the greatest battle of modern times,
where the great rebellion that cursed
the land reached its high water mark
and received its death blow. The nu
merous evidences of the gigantic
struggle are worthy of study. The
area occupied by the two armies ex-
ceeds twenty five square miles. This
does not include the ground that was
the scene of the cavalry fight the
third day of July. The battle lasted
parts of four consecutive days. The
uneven surface of the ground is such
that from many points there is suf-
ficient elevation so a birdseye view
can be taken of large portion of the
battle field. The government has pur-
chased much of the territory and built
substantial highways running along
the lines of the two armies, also erec-
ted iron tablets that indicate the posi-
tons of different commands so visit
ors can locate their various move
ments. On the steps of Christ church,
located in the center of the town on