Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1904-05-28
GENERAL.
\ Memorial Day Remembrance.

GETTYSBu re-.
Gettysburg is pleasantly situated at
the base of South Mountain i'll fertile
plain between the ridges of Cemetery
Hill on TIE southwest and Seminary
Ridge on the west, and is surrounded by
cluster of low hills forming the back
ground to broad eXpanse of rich
valleys teemlng with cultivation.
Its geographical position is about seven
miles north of the State line dividing
Maryland and Pennsylvania.
The site of Gettysburg, Adams County.
Pa, was originally located by thrifty
German cclonists in l119, gust three
years following the declaration of Ameri-
can independence The town was
founded by James Getty in 1850, became
the county seat in 1900 and was incor-
porated in 1907. The population at the
inhabitants.
In the early Spring of 1863 the ques-
ton of invasion, if considered at all,
was deemed most improbable.
1t must be remembered that battle
fields are not selected by choice or favor.
Various and sometimes uneXplainahle
circumstances and conditions lead con-
tending armies to wage disastrous war
fare when and where least expected.
Gettysburg, however, may be justly
considered an exception, for the direct
causes which led to the elimination of
the great battle We're not only antici-
pated within reasonable time for prepa-
ration and resistance, but a conflict it
self must naturally have been expected
in that vicinity by reason of the advance
of the Confederates beyond the boundary
of Mason and DiXOn'S line
THE BATTLE.
The question is often asked by the
visitor 10 the battle teld-how was it
possible to gather and concentrate the
strength of two great armies i'll the
vicinity of Gettysburg within such a
limited time? How was it accomplished?
In order to intelligently comprehend the
one important fact bearing upon this
question the reader has but to remem-
Der that the Army of Northen Virginia.
commanded by Gen. Lee, was marching
northward for the purpose of invading
Pennsylvania. 1t was the one great
ambition of Lees life that the final re-
suit of the issue should be decided upon
Northern soil. The south had already
suffered terrible devastation, and it was
deemed eXpedient that hostilities should
cease, at least temporarily, in Southern
territory.
In the latter part of the month of
June, 1868, after the battle of Chancel-
louisville, Lees army crossed the Potomac
river. The forces were divided into
three corps, commanded by Gems.
Ewell, Hill and LOngStreet, marching
in the order named. The advance con-
tinued up the Cumberland Valley, a
portion of the command proceeding to a
point on the Susquehanna opposite
Harrisburg Another division, COM
manded by Gen. Early, had in the mean
time reached Chambersburg after a
tedious and hazardous march. This
division crossed the South Mountain
and arrived near Gettysburg on the
morning of June 26, 1868. Early's
project was to join the forces of Lee.
then gathered on the banks of the Sus
quehanna. With this determination,
Gen. Early advanced his troops north
ward, proceeded to York, and continuing
his advance, attempted to cross the
Susquehanna at Wrightsville, but was
frustrated by the Federals burning the
long bridge connecting Wrightsville and
Columbia.
July ID the great battle followed
wherein IA 900 Confcderates, nearly the
entire division commanded by Gen.
George E. Pickett, fell in the fiercest
charge known i'll the history of war. In
the entire battle the Confederates lost
nearly 10000, the Federals $4,000.
TIE NATIONAL CEMETERY.
The location of the National Cemetery
at Gettysburg is on the celebrated ridge
adjacent to the town, Familiarity known
as Cemetery Hill. 1t contains an area
of II acres, and occupies beautiful and
commanding position. From the ele-
walton of Cemetery Hill the view of the
surrounding country is superb. y broad
eXpanse of fertile valleys and plains eX-
tend toward the north, south and west,
to which the mountain cliffs, ridges and
forests away off i'll the distance add Il
charming background. 1t seems es-
pccially appropriate that the site selected
for the National Cemetery should be a
portion of the battlefield.
From the height of Cemetery Hill i'll
1868 the Federal batteries sent forth in
fury their dreadful missiles of slaughter
Now all is peace, the soldier heroes sleep
their last sleep beneath the field long
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