Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1903-09-03
ON THE BATTLE-LlNE|
VISIT TO FIELDS MADE FAMOUS
DURING THE REBELLION.

Gettysburg As II is and As IL Was
When Meade and Lee Met There
Bloody Antietam.--1istorlc Harper's
Ferry.--Scenes About Fredericks-
BURG That Recall the Big Fights.
It's i've hours ride from Phila-
delphia to Gettysburg, Pa. You go by
PENNSYLVANIA railroad to Lancaster,
where you change to the branch Of the
same road leading to Hanover. There
YOU take the Western Maryland to
Gettysburg. 4 generally level eoun-
try. well watered. with fresh fields and
thick verdure, makes il an interesting
section. At Lancaster you cross the
broad Susquehanna over bridge
which was burned by the Federals to
stop the Confederate advance late in
June of '63, before the Army OF the
Potomac had come up and when the
invaders were having pretty much
their own way.
Gettysburg is now town of about
5 200 population, a county seat, which
has grown considerably since it sui
fered the tempest of battle. IL is Wis
tied annually by thousands, and its
principal industry is the turning OF its
historic past into coin of present COM
mercial yalue. There is nothing
worth seeing that is not connected
with the great fight of July |, ? and 3,
1868. But there is plenty OF that.
Gettysburg is probably the best pre-
served battlefield in the world. The
federal government has made ii
park and has expended millions in
building fine permanent roads and
walks, planting and trimming trees,
rearing monuments and markers,
putting up high observation towers,
to say nothing of immense sums ex-
pended BY states and army organiza-
tons in concentrating by stone and
bronze the deeds Of their respective
soldiers. The field is thus made true
TO its history The great struggle Is
reproduced, with nothing lacking save
the living actors, the tumult and the
carnage.
Il would be difficult to conceive a
more ideal spot for vast armies TO
meet in gage OF battle. Nature must
have made il for its mission. The
whole country about Is open, faeili-
tating the easy approach and hand
ling of troops, with all their impede
menta. In the distance to the west is
the beautiful Blue Ridge; to the north
North Mountain, but no high eleva.
lions obstruct the view nearby, IL is
nearly plain, its monotony relieved
by gentle ridges, with now and then
a high spur thrust up alone, like
guardian, and with intervening val
leys along which small streams wind
their way in all directions. Gettys-
burg town lies at the very foot Of one
of these spurs, known as Cemetery
Hill. from the old town cemetery
located there. The hill is southeast OF
the town. The gentle ridge which |
connects Cemetery Hill with Round
Top and Little Round Top runs due
south. and these latter eminences are
over three miles distant. From Gem
etery Hill the elevated land curves
quite abruptly to the eastward, and a
mile or more away Is Cups Hill. I'll
was along this whole ridge that the
Union army took position Tor the sec
ond and third days fights. From its
extreme lett at the Round Tops ~ its
right at Culp's Hill and little beyond |
Is distance of five miles. The posi- |
ton is like fishhook In shape, with
It's eve at the Round Tops, its barb lat
Culp's Hill and Gettysburg lying just
in front OF its initial curve at Gene
terry Hill. With its wings resting on
points easily defended, its front and |
center on high ground. presenting a
convex front to the enemy. Il was an
ideal formation for defence ANY
point assailed could be supported by |
parts OF the line not then |
engaged and the supports could be
returned sooner than the enemy could |
move to take advantage Of the diver |
sion. All this was seen and appre- |
eiated by the Union corps command |
ers, Reynolds. Howard and Hancock, |
who came upon the field before Meade |
did. and 1t was on their representa- |
ton that Meade concentrated here
after the first days conflict. instead of
further to the southeast, as he had |
intended.
The Confederate position after the |
first day was outside of and generally |
parallel to that of the Union army. Il |
rested mainly on Seminary Ridge and |
Oak Hill which are elevations on the
inrther side OF the shallow valley west
Of Cemetery Ridge. The average dis
lance between the two lines was about
one mile easy range for artillery. As
the battle progressed. the Confed-
crates approached close to the Union
position and held advanced ground at
different points along its front. They
occupied Gettysburg on their lett
center, and there are still standing
houses that bear testimony BY shot and I
bullet holes that it was a warm time
IN town about then. The house can 4
be seen in which young woman was
killed while mixing bread. Most of
ne citizens sought refuge in cellars.
The battle OF Gettysburg marked
lood-tide in the Rebellion. Gen. Lee
having disastrously defeated Gen.
Hooker at Charlottesville in the
ipring Of '6S, made up his mind to
AIRY the war into the '.enemys coun-
- 70 fnN~aaa Fhn