The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-07-21
MEET ON old
War FIELD
President Taft Attends Meeting
Of Blue and Gray
ON FIELD The OF MANASSAS
GROWING FEATURE OF MANAs-
sAs PEACE JUBILEE - FIFTY
YEARS AGO TODAY GREAT CIVIL
WAR WAS FouGHT-oLp VETS
MEET THERE AGAIN.

Manassas, Va, July 21.--The BLUE"
and Gray" marched across the fields Of
Manassas to meet each other again to-
day This incident, unique in history,
the meeting of federal and confederate
veterans on the field where they fought
a mighty battle just Atty years ago,
attracted as witnesses the president Of
the United States, the governor OF Vir-
ginias the home Of the confederate cap
ital and visitors from many states.
II was the browning feature OF the
Manassas peace jubilee and reunion
which began last Sunday with a SER
mon on the courthouse lawn by Rev.
II. N Couden, chaplain Of the house Of
representatives who lost his sight
while serving in the union ranks.
President Taft and Governor Mann
long ago had accepted invitation to be
the guests of honor of the day, to re-
view the lines Of gray haired veterans
and make addresses in the afternoon,
In the evening they will meet the
old soldiers and other visitors at a.
public reception.
The following programme had been
arranged for the day:
a. m.--Veterans in Blue and Gray as.
semble at Henry house on battlefield.
10 a. m.--Addresses OF welcome by Col
Edmund Berkeley, Eighth Virginia,
and .. s. Sen. Thomas S. Martin of
Virginia.
Responses by General John e. Gill;
man, commander in chief of the Grand
Army Of the Republic, and Gen George
q. Gordon, grand commander Of the
United Confederate veterans
Presentation OF souvenir badges by
Col. Robert HI. Thompson OF washing
ton.
Noon-Veterans marshaled in review,
and the men in the Blue and the
Gray clasp hands.
p. m.--Luncheon and Love Feast
p. nl.-Return to Manassas.
D. m.-Forty -eight younr woman
representing the states of the union
clasp hands and forming a circle,
sing the Manassas National Jubilee
Anthem
4:SO p. m. Addresses by the president
Of the United States and the governor
of Virginia.
30 p. M. Luncheon rendered to Pres
ident Taft and Governor Mann by
Mrs. Robert A. Porter at Annaburg.
1880 p. m.-Public reception Of the
president and governor at Anna
burg.
IL was on July 81, 1861, just fifty
years ago tomorrow, that Bull Run. or
the first battle of Manassas was
fought. The confederates under John
son were accredited with a decisive
victory over the union forces under
Mcdowell, the retreat Of the federaIs
leaving practically clear road I'd
Washington for the confederates: 1T is
said, had they chosen to continue their
advance on the capital. This was the
first real battle Of the war. and Its
result awakened the north for the first
time to realization OF what the seces-
sion of the southern states meant. 1T
was here that 'StonewaII'" Jackson
gained the name which will be assoc
ciated with his memory for all time.
In August, 1868, Manassas was again
the scene Of bloody battle. Lee and
Longstreet and Sykes, Reno and Rey-
nolds fought to draw, the battle lines
being exactly the reverse OF what they
were the year before.
The Jubilee reunion was planned by
committees Of the Grand Army OF the
Republic and the United Confederate
Veterans interesting events have taken
place each day this week, sessions OF
the national organization Of the THE
Blue and the Gray and Their Sons"
being held today.
The Manassas National Anthem,
adopted BY the committee, was written
BY Mrs. Mary Speed Mercer Of Elm
City, N. g. This Ii the chorus:
America All hall to thee.
Thanks be 70 God who made us free,
North. south east. west, hand clasped
in hand,
United We they children stand"
~ NsesAa n