Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1905-06-11
FlttlngIy Celebrated by dwelling
Of Handsome Granite Shaft
on Ancient Field.
LARGE CROWD WAS PRESENT
virsinians ard North carolinlans
Gather Rourd Spot Where Serious
Business of the Great Struggle Had
Its acknowledgements Montague
Among the Visitors.
Staff correspondence.

Staf Correspondence.
BIC; BETHEL. VA. June TO-
ril1 forty-foHrlh anniversary of the
battle nf Bethel saw gathered upon
the historic battlefield where tho first
battle Of the civil war was fought. I
crcw'l probably greater tlan was gath
cred there forty-four years ago.
A clcudIess Sky. and gentle brccze
kissing the foliage of the surrounding
trees. made 1t Il perfect June day. The
star-llke leaves OF the sweet gum, the
silkcn vcr,iurc of the mulberry, the
sycamore bent before the hrcatl, of
wind Just rs they did nearly half a cen.
fury ago. while the little creek which
separated the hostile forces. swept OH
to the sea singing its song rs il did
when the screaming shells and whist
lias lalllCls tore up its banks and
stripped the vcr,lurc covered trees.
In nature ALONE. however. was the
scene similar. for where lines of grey
AMI Hue where drawn up in military
precision. an immense crowd ebbc.l
and flowed. uverrunniug the ancient
hreastworlis and the nearby church.
yard. even the sravestnncs furnishing
scats for weary mortals.
Artillery of Flashing Eyes
The only artillery was that of flash
ing eyes tho only wounds those of
susceptible hearts, of gallant swains.
Tic occasion was The unwilling uf
a handsome granite shaft ia mark the
spot where the first battle of the great
civil strife was fought
North Carnlina joined with Vii einia
in erecting and in unvcilins the mpnu.
mcnt. a large delegation. including the
ElGecombn Guards. ami some of the
NEST distinguished citizens of the Oil
North State jcurncyed 10 The battle
, field and heartily Joined in the cxcl-
ciscs
Governor Montaam's party was do
layed and it was nearly Enon before
Major Edward A Scnlplc, master Of
ceremonies. called the asscmblage To
order AMI gracefully introduced Rcv
A. c. Hopkins. who made an earnest
and impressive prayer.
Mayor Thornton T.. Jones was then
introduced 3iul delivered ar cloouen,
welcome To the visitors. especially To
lie North Caroinians. He, said his
foot was Jon his native heath" rs he
WIS io:n almost within stones throw
of the battlefield. Fle was proud OF
his birthplace and of an ancestor who
took part in the battle. He referred
To his service in the Spanish
war and said i. was peculiarly iittiuy
that the son of Confederate veteran,
who had fought beneath the Stars am,
Stripes. should have the pleasant duty
With all dclicacy and all good taste
Of welcoming Ill 10 the exercises of the
OCCASION
Orator cf the Day.
Rev, p. Pcrdlcton Jones. d. D.. son
If Rev. j. William Jones. D. D.. the
orator of the Gay. was introduced. His
address was a gem Of oratory, and his
eloquent periods were applaudcd IL
the echo
In his introductory remarks Rev. Dr.
Jones paid tribute to the historic set
ting OF the scene. Almost within mod
ern cannon shot some of the most mo
mentous events of American history
had TRANSFERRED There were James
town. Hampton. Yorktown, Williams
burg. Bethel andN Hampton Roads
whetc the Mcrrimac and Monitor tried
conclusions in the battle which rcvolu
tionized the navies of the world.
They were not gathered together tc
revive the bitter memories of the past
but to pay tribute to the virtues OF
those who have gone before and &c
show to the world that we have nc
apology to make for the position the,
assumed and defended with so much
valOr.
1t had been charged that the Con
federate soldiers endeavorcd to dcstro,
the Union, but the Union already had
been destroyed before secession came
and after that momentous action had
been taken 1t was struggle between
the Southern States and the Northern
States.
B Preserved the Union.
He declares that Instead Of being as