Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1913-06-05


Grams of the Civil War, both Blue and
Gray, will meet again on the battle
field at Gettysburg, Pa, after fifty
years, but this time it will be in amity
and affection
The state of Pennsylvania on May
13, 1909, created commission to con-
slider and arrange for proper and
fitting recognition and observance, at
Gettysburg. of the f1ftieth anniversary
Of the battle of Gettysburg; to invite
the cooperation of the congress Of
the United States. and of other states
and commonwealth" defined the com
missions duties and prerogatives and
made an appropriation for preHmin-
airy expenses.
Text of Invitation to Veterans.
The invitation is as follows: Penn
sylvania, by its commission formally
invites the congress of the United
States and her Sister States and Com
monwealths to accept this invitation
from the commonwealth upon whose
soil the battle of Gettysburg was
niversary and to help make it an
event worthy Of its historical signif1-
canoe, and an occasion creditable and
Impressive to our great and reunited
nation" and likewise invites the c.
operation and participation of the
Grand Army of the Republic and of
the United Confederate Veterans.
State VIII Act as Host.
Pennsylvania-she providing all en-
tertainment at Gettysburg during July
100000 "honorably discharged vete-
rams of the Civil war" and she and
the national government together, as
provided by the act of congress of
August 26, 1912, by each paying $780,
10000 for the war department with
the $500, 100000 fetal, to create and
maintain great camp around the bat
tlefeld, complete in all its provisions
of camp and garrison equipment, with
all QuartermaSter, commisSary, hospi-
tai and other necessary supplies am
pie for such forty thousand veterans:
Free Transportation To and From
Gettysburg.
With each commonwealth, state
and territory rests absolutely the de-
termination. as each deems best, to
what veterans of the Civil war it
will issue free transportation, Penn
sylvania's invitation being that to
such "honorably discharged veterans
of the Civil war" as come to Gettys-
burg for the above celebration, either
upon free transportation or at their
own expense, and preseat proper Gre
dentia1s proving them to be such vet
Grams, she will provide food, shelter
and entertainment during that period,
but she furnishes free transportation
to no one, save only to her own vet
Grams or veterans now resident with
in her borders, and to them only
under legislative direction, which
is now pending in her general assem-
bly,, the national government furnish
ing no free transportation at all
The Trunk Line Passenger associa-
ton in whose territory Gettysburg is.
has granted a one and three-ffths
round trip excursion rate, good going
June 25 and returning to original
starting point by July IS, a twenty
day ticket, good only on same route
going and coming and costing two
cents per mile, but each state must
make it's own arrangements with the
similar associations covering the ter
ritory from that state to Pennsyl-
vania. The railroads at Gettysburg
park or accommodate there any cars
on side tracks.
To Hold Reunion in Great Tent.
A great tent, seating between ten
thousand 100000 and fifteen thou
sand 15,000) veterans, will be eraet-
ed Immediately adjoining the camp,
and therein will occur the above ex-
ercises, excepting the military parade
and fireworks, and therein, save for
the hours set apart for the above ex-
ercises, the veterans may hold all
reunions they may desire, the tent
being arranged to be subdivided into
numerous separate Enclosures. All
veterans of the Civil war, north and
south, are urged to wear their army,
corps, division, brigade and society
badges, as a means of Identification
to their comrades in like commands.
In the expectation that it will assist
in imparting information as to when
and where their different organiza-
lions meet, and in bringing together
comrades who would otherwise. by
reason Of lapse of time, fail to recog-
nize each other.
Program for Four Days.
The program for the four DAYS ex-
ercises and entertainment is not vet