The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-07-04
Grand Reunion of Blue and
Gray on That Historic
Field.
The HEROIC DEEDS OF OLD
Addresses by Lane, Burgwyn and Oilers Glow
ingIy Describe The Part The Sons Of the
Old North State Took in That
Struggle.
Especial TO News and observer.) }

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Gettysburg, Pa, July S.-Confederate
and Union veterans gathered here today
in a grand reunion of blue and gray to
celebrate the fortieth anniversary of the
battle OF Gettysburg. This was the third
day of the celebration but the first in
which Southerners took part.
The notable event of the day was the
celebration of the charge of Pickett, Pet
tigrew and Trimble at the very hour it
occurred forty years ago, and at High
Water Mark" where the Confederates
pressed furthest into the Federal lines in
that desperate onslaught. This celebra-
ton was Under the auspices of the North
Carolina Society of Baltimore, which
brought over a large number of South
srners on a special train.
Led by the Gettysburg G. A. r. Post
Band, the Tar Heels sang their State
song, The Old North State"
Major w. M. Robbins of Statesville.
~. c., who is one of the three govern
ment commissioners in charge of the bat
tlefield welcomed the North Carohnians
20 the field their brethren had made glo-
-ious
Judiciously referring to the sectional
disagreements and controversies that led
u to The Civil Wal, he dweft briefly upon
the proWess displayed on both sides, and
referred especially to the part North
Carolina played. He said she lost more
men killed than any other Southern State
and had more men killed at Gettysburg
than any other State in the Union except
New York.
He briefly sketched the battles at Get
tysburg, especially speaking of the charge
OF Pickett Pettigrew and Trimble. He
said that tears rose to his eyes as he
saw moving to- the charge the men of
Pettigrew and Trimble with their arms
and heads bound in bloody bandages to
cover the wounds received in the previous,
days contests.
In closing he alluded to the reunion Of
the sections and the genuine feeling of
fraternity that now exists between the
men who fought each other so heroically
forty years ago.
The band played 1.-THE Blue and the
Gray as Col John R. Lane the veteran
who led the famous Twenty-sixth North
Carolina regiment in the charge, was in
troduced to the cheering thousands. With
Col. Lane was Mr. Charles Fl. Mcconnell
a Michigan member of the Iron Brigade"
who fought and desperately wounded Col
Lane near the stone fence. where they
now clasped hands forty years after the
bloody duel.
Col. Lane, who still bears the marks
OF his terrible experience, told in his own
way the wonderful story of the most ia
nous of North Carolina regiments, which.
at Gettysburg, went into Pickett's charge
with $40 men and came out under com
mand of lieutenant having lost 70S men
the largest loss recorded in the Civil War
One company was entirely wiped out. The
three colonels of this regiment were Zebu-
lon 3. Vance, afterwards Governor and
United States Senator; Harry X. Burgwyn,
the daring and gallant young soldier; and
John r. Lane. His speech aroused the
greatest enthusiasm.
Probably for the first time since the
war on this battlefield, the band played
Dixie while Northerners and Southern
ers joined in the cheering.
Prof Henry E. Shepherd, of Baltimore.
who entered the Confederate service at
II years of age and was wounded at
Gettysburg. then spoke on What North
Carolina did at Gettysburg"
At the close of Prof. Shepherds address
the band played Maryland. my Mary
land"
DR.. T. j. Boykin. leading Baltimore
business man and a veteran OF the Twen-
ty-sixth North Carolina. then recalled
some interesting personal "reminiscences
oil the battle
After the band had played 'My Coun-
try. 'Tis of Thee" Col. w. H. S. Bur
gwyn of Weldon. brother of the daring
Col Harry Burgwyn was introduced and
made a brief address. Then Mr.. M. j
Motley, a Baltimore veteran. made a brie:
but eloquent speech.
The band closed the programme with
''The tar-Spangled Banner, SouthernerS
and Northerners singing together:
THE -spangled Banner, Q long may i;
wave.
Ger the land of the free. and the home
of the brave"