Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-06-01
PRESIDENT TAFT DELIVERS AD-
DRESS AT GETTYSBURG AND
HIS DAUGHTER HELEN uN-
Wells GRANITE STATUE.
COMMEMORATES THE
DEATH OF REGULARS
MONUMENT WAS ERECTED BY
ACT OF CONGRESS AND FOR
MALLY TURNED OVER TO GET
TYssuRG PARK COMMISSION.

Gettysburg, Pa, May 31.-The me-
mortal to the regular and enlisted men
in the U. S. army, who gave up their
lives or fought in the Gettysburg cam
paign in 1863, will be perpetuated in
granite on the famous battle, field to-
day when the monument erected by
act of congress was unveiled in the
presence of President Taft The town
of Gettysburg was gayly decorated and
the streets were crowded with people.
President Taft arrived here shortly
before 10 o'clock, after an all night
ride from Pittsburg. A great crowd
surrounded the station. Arrange
ments for the presidents reception
We're perfect. Following visit to all
the historical points the president at
2 o'clock this afternoon took his place
at the head of the military parade,
which formed in town and proceeded
to Bloody Eagle on cemetery ridge.
Taft's Daughter Has Part.
President Taft delivered an ora
tion at the monument, following which
| his daughter, Helen, unveiled the mon
ument as the band played "The Star
Spangled Banner" troops surrounding
the monument presented arms, and
salute was fired by battery. An
address transferring the monument
from the national government e. the
Gettysburg National park commission
was delivered by Secretary of War
Dickinson. 1t w1s accepted by Col.
Nicholson, chairman of the conn is
sion. Following the concll sion of the.
dedication ceremonies, the president
reviewed the troops ami left for Wash
ington at 3:45 p. m.
Description Of Monument.
The monument erected on the bat
tlefleld of Gettysburg to commemorate
the services of the regular army Of
the United States in the Gettysburg
campaign in 1863, which will be un-
yelled this afternoon, is one of the
most interesting, dignified and con-
spicuous memorials on the famous
battlefield. 1t is situated on Hancock
avenue, little south of the Bloody
| Angle, where Pickett's fearless men
struck the Union line with such disas-
trous results to the invading army.
The memorial is shaft 85 feet high
from the ground and is made Of light
color granite from the quarries of
Mount Airy, N. G.
The base plinth of the monument is
43k feet square, with two foot high
is surrounded by beautiful terrace
42kfeet square, with two foot high
fence or wall. Four entrances, each
IA feet wide, with three granite steps
lead to the base of the monument. On
each side of the second plinth which
is 12h feet high is an eagle cut solid
ly on the face of the plinth. Each eagle
is four feet high and all are said to be
the finest modelled eagles ever cut in
granite or cast in bronze in America.
Upon the second plinth rests the
plain shaft, which is So feet tall.
On each side Of the plinth is a
large bronze panel, said to be the larg-
est and finest memorial ever cast in
the United States or any other coun-
try. The tablet facing the east con-
tains the following inscription:
Erected by the Congress to Com
memorate the Services of that Por-
tion of the Army of the Potomac Com
posed of Cavalry, Artillery, Infantry
and Engineers of the Regular Army of
the United States in the Gettysburg
Campaign, June-July, 1862
The tablet on the west side is in.
scribed as follows:
"The Artillery consisting of 26 bat
teries was distributed over the field
among the several Army Corps and
nj IN Do @ \