The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-03-28
FREDERICKSBURG NATIONAL
BkTTlEFIELDS PARK

Interest has been strongly re-
awakened in the project for making
National park on the scenes OF
the terrific lighting around Freder-
icksburg. This is eminently sacred
ground in American history, since
lar more young Americans brayeiy
died there iOr what they believed 10
DO right tnan upon any other spot III
me country. More brave men dleu
mere than in any other similar area
IN the world. Since the sword
,esan to devour-in all the long
as.ory OF the world mighty wars
mere mas never been such persistent
.hd sanctuary fighting with sueh
-. great number OF men actually en-
.ased and such appalling losses as
...cucred in the several times that
lie onion army attempted to force
ne Confederate line OF the Kappa
hammock.
IN our first effort. under Burn
side. Dec. IS. 1862, the Union loss
VAS 1855. while the Confederate
loss is reported as less than 5000.
In the second attempt. May ia
1858. when Hooker crossed to Chah-
celiorsvllle. the Union loss was over
goo while the Confederates re-
ported a loss of l2.2Sl.
in the third attempt under
Meade. Nov. 26-2S. 1868. usually
spokcn OF as the Mine Ran
C,rnoion III, Union less was 5000,
while the Confederate lcss is report
ed az nearly 5000.
The fourth attempt. il Nay 1861
when Gems. Grant and Meade cross
ed into the wilderness and fouSht
n bloody series of engagements end
ING with SpO,sylvania Court House
The Union loss is reported as anou'
3S 0O0. while the Confederate loss
will never be known. but 1t must
have approximate some what near
In the colossal d,s.iUcti,n IN me
Union ranks.
n mas bcea estimated by some
;har nearly 10000 men fell on boih
siaes i'm that terrific lighting
Ground so hlllowcd ty The last
dread sacrifices Of such NUMBERS OF
men should be preserved forever Ill
the most effective way as me
mortal TO those who died there and
rs an object lesson to future genera
lions The Grand Army of the
RepvbHc Committee 10 undertake
tho great work OF appropriate,
~ marking these baltlefie'ds and
erecting monuments TO those VINO
fau fsere consists OF the following
comrades. g.,
JOAN MeElroy. Chairman Wash
John ID Black. Valley City. \. d.
Daniel r BaHou. Providence X. l.
Lanes -. Morrison. Phiiadalp
Albert =. Sholos. Flushing. \. !
IJora.io G. King. Brooklyn, y. y
n c MNiken. Portland. Me.
John Day smith. Minn'apo''S
MINI. .,r,,..
A hill has been prepared. carr!
ing an appropriation Of SlOO,vV0 toi
Ifbe Dres Vation OF the earthworhs
and Olls lC lCS vi INV g..
~,nrtiDr of roads from one POM
10 another the purchase OF lahu
for mounmcnts and such o,h-r pui-
nos as nav be necessary IN con
ssryirg inc bat.lefields Ia sucn
sbona rs will be monumeniai Oh IN
o1si and instructive 70 the future
This bin will be introduced a. ,ns
COMING session OF Congress anu
aycrv effort made TO secure -
passage. IL.
a. many more men OF both sides
+oolz mart in these operations than
in any other during the great war
the interest in the park is Naiioh-
vide. The survivors and the De
scendants OF those who fought on
both sides are found in every CITY,
Town and hamlet in the uniteu
states. and they have the de9pes'
interest in this work. Now that
something effective is about to be
done in this toO-long-neglected worh
popular sentiment win az once de
-olop in favor OF Il. and We ASH
all those who had personal expert
o,ce there to assist in devei-
ming this interest and securing tns
-,.ceoss Of the project.-Naloha
T-ibune Washington, March %.