El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-08-30
VETERANS Of
TWO ARMIES
FRIENDLY
Chattanooga G.. A. R. Reun-
ion to Be Attended by
Many Old Confederates.
HISTORIC BATTLE
FIELDS TOsBE SEEN


which is to be held in Chattanooga
from September Is to 20, bids fair to
become as cordial a reunion between
the blue and the gray as was the cele-
bration at Gettysburg last month, al
though the part taken by the men In
gray will be purely voluntary and is
Unannounced upon the program The
warm welcome given to the confeder-
ate veterans at Gettysburg made them
glad of an opportunity to return the
compliment Capt J. F. Ship, a con-
federate veteran of Chattanooga, is in
receipt of a letter from another con-
federate officer which states that he
never had his gray uniform so hon.
ored as by the Grand Army men at
Gettysburg. special committee has
been appointed from the United Con-
federate veterans to welcome the boys
in blue to Chattanooga
Is Honor to South
With the exception of Louisville,
where the G. A, R. encampment was
held in 1895. no town south OF the Ohio
river has been hOnOred in this way.
The gathering of the union veterans in
what was once the heart of the con-
federacy will be one of the most in
teresting events in the history of the
organization. The peculiar interest in
the surrounding country gives it spe-
cal attractions for the old union vet
Grams. 1t is near Chickamauga the
site of one of the greatest battles of
the civil war. Missionary Ridge and
Lookout mountain, each Of which was
the scene of a battle fought for the
possession of Chattanooga, are also
within easy reach Good roads go out
to all Of these points so that every vet
eran in attendance can revisit them
if he so desires.
The Chickamauga battlefield has now
become a national park, which has been
greatly improved during the past de-
cade. Both the state and the national
governments have contributed to the
improvement of the park, which con-
tainS nearly 1000 memorials and mon
uments. At the northern entrance to
Chickamauga park standS Fort Ogle-
thorpe, soon to be enlarged to a mill
tary brigade post. The 18th .. S
cavalry is now stationed at this post
One of the events planned for the en-
campment will be a sham battle fought
upon Chickamauga battle ground by
the soldiers from Camp Oglethorpe,
augmented by forces from Fort Nc
PhersOn, at Atlanta
Old Landmarks Remain
A number of the old buildings which
sheltered Union officers and served as
hospitals for the wounded, and morgues
for the dead, are still standing
and will be easily recognizable by the
union veterans. Some of them are in
good repair and others in ruins. The
Oldest in the vicinity Of Chattanooga
is the old mission house upon Byrd'S
hill east of the crest of Missionary
Ridge Gideon Blackburn, who came
as missionary to the Cherokee in
dians, erected this house in 1908. 1t
was used as a shelter for wounded
soldiers during and after the great
battle.
The Reed house, a modern hotel,
stands upon the site of the old Crutch-
q TrT1 1nF1 was h~e-
pital. Hundreds of soldiers were car
ried to IL from the Chickamauga bat
tlefield, ten miles away. This hotel
was used as Headquarters at different
times for both the union and confed-
crate officers. Councils were held in
it by Jefferson Davis and members of
his cabinet Afterwards generals
Grant, Thomas, RoSecrans and other
union leaders stopped there During
the battle of Chickamauga, Charles
Dana, assistant to the secretary of war
in LincOlns administration, occupied
a room in Crutchfield house in which
the war department During the war
time there was also a Crutchfield farm
containing 1000 acres which was the,
scene of many thrilling experiences
It contained a large farm house which
was used as q hospital General Sher-
man landed upon this farm while on
his way to attack Gen. Cleburn on Mis-
siOnary Ridge. All of this region is
now covered. by residences and indus
trial plants, but numerous tablets mark
historic sites
To Open With Reception.
The encampment will open with a
brilliant reception. Addresses of well
come will be made by governor Ben
W Hooper, of Tennessee, the mayor of
Chattanooga and others which will be
responded to by commander in chief
Alfred =. Beers, of the Grand Army
of the Republic The Sunday before
viii be observed as patriotic Sunday by
all the churches in Chattanooga. Wis
ltlQg clergymen connected with the
organization of the Grand Army of
the Republic viii fill most of the pull
pits.
Although Chattanooga is smaller
than most OF the cities in which en-
campments have been held hearty CO.
operation between the executive COM
mittee and the citizens of the town
mas PROVIDED ample accommodations
Tor more than $4,000 guests who are
expected. At the reunion of the con-
federate veterans held in Chattanooga
In May over 100,00 were in attendance
All were comfortably provided for, and
the town is upon its mettle to measure
up to the full standards of southern
hospitality towards its guests from
the north. Most of the private homes
are opening their doors to strangers
who will come to attend the encamp-
ment 1t is expected that the attend
ance from Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and
Illinois will be especially large. Sol
diers from these states chiefly com
posed Of the army of the Cumberland.
which for more than two years car
ried on the struggle for possession Of
4 Chattanooga, then regarded as the
great central gateway of the south.
Many Women Expected
A feature Of the G. A. r encamp-
>ment will be the number Of women who
accompany their husbands and fathers
Most of these belong to the Women's
Relief corps, which will hold its 31st
annual convention at the same time
that the men are holding their meet
ings- The sessions of the convention
viii be held in the First Methodist
church Of Chattanooga. Between the
business sessions of the convention will
he ARRANGED rs manv s0ciaI affairs PC
can possibly be crowded into the time
The Daughters Of the Confederacv
viii vie with the confederate veterans
in their attentions to the people from
the north.
The Grand Army OF the Republic is
the most unique and al the same time
the strongest organization of its kind