Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1907-05-18
TEMPLARS TAKE JAUNT
Knights Temp.ar End COncIaye
with Trip to Gettysburg
TRAIN CARRIES OUT 326
Citizens Take Advantage Of Chance 4
See Battlefeld-capt Longs Story
OF Fight a Feature.

Friday. 1t was set forth on the official
program that 1t would be given the
visiting Knights by Palestine com
mandery No. 2 But the program did
not tell the whole truth. The citizens
of Martinsburg were invited to par
ficipate. They accepted the invitation
and when the train left the Cumber-
land Valley depot 1t consisted of seven
coaches and rarried 1926 Knights and
citizens. The marty returned to the
city about 1880.
The excursion had been well adver-
tised both by poster and through the
newspapers. The latter had set forth
the fine opportunity presented to see
the famous battlefield for small
price. The citizens thought the mat
ter over and discussed 1t among them
selves. presumably. for the statement
went the rounds that 1t would be
necessary to remain over night in Get
tysburg If one went in the ordinary
way. That that fact must have had
weight with the citizens accounts for
the large number, probably
Fine Day For Trip.
The people were on hand early and
the train left strictly on time. There
were many who didn't make up their
minds 10 go until the last minute.
Some of them went without their
breakfast accordingly, for the train
left at the early hour of 7:45, and
when the dinner hour arrived. the way
in which the hungry ones made up for
lost meals was a JOY to spectator and
waiter
No finer day could have been picked
out for an excursion. 1t was perfect
The sky was clear and the air mild.
1t seemed as though summer had
dropped over the earth all at once to
ensure a good time to the Knights.
The mild weather permitted the rails
ing of the windows in the cars and as
the train wendell its way over hills
and through valleys the senses were
soothed with the intoxicating odor OF
the apple blossom waited in through
the open windows.
I. The ride up was almost as enjoyable
as the trip around the field in fact.
Ia ha krat Ia tsrit tba faaIfnO
that he had already gotten his
moneys worth It had been the in
teIStion to leave the train at Bloody
Gap to save an hour in going arounu
the field. But before reaching there
1t was learned that the teams in
which the party would be conveyed
would all start from the public square.
SO Knights and citizens went the same
route
'Tne tain reached Gettysburg about
10 O'Clock A short walk took the
party to the public square where the
,conveyances were in waiting. There
were enough for all, No one was
crowded A short run landed the par
ty at the edge of the battlefield where
it was met by Captain Long who had
been engaged to tell the history OF
the place. He had been heralded as
a master at his business and such he
proved to be.
Tells Story of Great Eioht
He gathered all about him and told
the story of the first days fight He
is natural orator and logical In his
discourse. When he had finished the
account Of how General Lee won the
first days fight all had an excellent
mind picture OF the various move
ments. The serious part of his dis
course he enliyened with incidents Of
human and humorous character
Those who were unfamiliar with tbs
minute history Of the place as well a:
those who listened for the purpose o
the closest attention. That his worl
was appreciated was evidenced by th'
fact that when it came time for him II
tell the story of the third days figh
one man remarked that he wouldn'
miss the talk for the price of the trip
At the conclusion of the talk tn
party was taken around a good POI
tin Of the field. The trip includes
Confederate positions which have beer
thrown open to the public recently
The return to the town for Dime
was made about 1 o'clock. An exec
lent fare had been prepared and ful
Justice was done to it.
AS soon as all had finished the al
terpooas journey was started TIL
balance Of the field was gone over. A
the point where Pickett made his ia
nous charge Captain Long told tn
rest Of his tale His account of tina
great charge was realistic and inspir