The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1910-10-13

OF interest 10 every veteran.
Last week we made our first trip to
Gettysburg. We were not in that
battle, nor had we visited the battle.
field during all the years siuce the war
closed.
On Tuesday, September 9th, the
fine monument erected by the state in
honor of the Pennsylvania soldiers who
fought at Gettysburg, was formally
dedicated, and in company with many
thousands OF old soldiers and citizens
we were present to witness the cere-
monies and honor the occasion.
1t is impossible to state how many
visitors were present but the crowd
was as large as any that ever visited
the town since the battle was fought
We heard it estimated at thirty
thousand, but think that estimate too
large. However, the crowd present
was an immense one, but it was
orderly, good natured, and was we'll
handled. The people of Gettysburg
have become skillful in handling the
large companies of people who go there
from time tn time.
The memorial structure erected by
| the state in honor of her sons who
fought at Gettysburg is an imposing
structure. We cannot give its dimen-
sions, but it is large. 1t is square
structure, forty feet square, and forty
feet high, The distinguishing feature
about it is the series OF tablets arranged
about it at the base, on the outside,
each tablet bearing a complete roster
OF Pennsylvania regiment or battery
that fought at Gettysburg. Each
tablet, made OF brass, or brass and
copper, bears the names of all the
officers and men who were in the battle.
OF course the killed, wounded and
missing cannot be designated. We
understand here are over seventeen
thousand names on these tablets. This
indicates the number OF men the state
OF Pennsylvania had in the battle
about one-fourth OF the men Meade
took into the fight. So far this memo
rial has cost over one hundred and fifty
thousand dollars, and it Is not com
pleted.
The dedicatory services were brief
and simple, and took place Tuesday
afternoon. There was prayer by
Chaplain M. B. Biddle of Pittsburg; an
address by General Fl. S. Huidekoper
on the part Of the commission that
erected the memorial, turning it over
to the state; Governor Stusrt's address
accepting 1t for the state; an oration by
General James w. Latta, on behalf of
the state infantry; an address by
General d. Mem. Gregg, on behalf of
the state cavalry, and one by Captain
James A. Gardner, on behalf of the
state artillery. These addresses we're
all brief. We have not room to repeat
any OF them except the Governors
which was as follows:
"SoIdiers of the Army OF the
Potomac:
"Ot all the places made historic and
immortal by heroic deeds there is none
toward which the patriot turns with
greater reverence OF interest than Get
tysburg. Here it was that the flower
OF the north and south met in battle
array; here it was that the, waves of
rebellion broke and fell before the stern
and unyielding bravery Of the Army of
the Potomac, and receded, never to
return; here is found the story OF
courage, of bravery and fortitude, the |
like Of which will, ever remain un-
equaled. Forgetting not the men OF |
other states who fought upon this field,
we are here today especially to honor
the heroic sons of Pennsylvania who
here fought In defense Of their country
"And now, in the presence of your
surviving comrades OF the Army of the
Potomac and the people OF Pernsyl-
vania, who have honored this occasion
by their presence, wish to express my
sincere appreciation and thankfulness
for the services rendered to the COM
monwealth by the Gettysburg Battle
field Memorial commission, and, as
Governor of Pennsylvania, representing
all her people, / accept from your hands
this enduring evidence OF peoples
regard, which, for, all time will be
known as Pennsylvania Memorial
placed in honor of the soldiery of
Pennsylvania who served this country
at Gettysburg, feeling that it will
always remain an inspiration to the sue
ceeding generations, and remind them
OF the deeds that made this place i'm
mortal, remembering also that to those
who fought here and to those who stood |
the test on the other fields of conflict, we
are indebted for the preservation of the
freest and best republic the world has
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