The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-08-17

reunion at Gettysburg as Confederate
soldier. 1t was an occasion never 10
be forgotten, an era OF peace and good
will
Nowhere else could such q celebration
have taken place. 1t took England 200
years to forget the passions Of civil
War and erect q monument TO the
memory Of oliver Cromwell.
What a vivid contrast and change IN
half-century Fifty years ago the
Confederate came to Gettysburg with
out invitation: last week a S comrades
beloved Fifty years ago the Confed-
crates came amid the mighttcst battle
that ever shook the American con-
t;nent; last week they came with a
welcome and reception that nnds no
parallel in the history OF the world.
FIFTY years ago the boys in Blue and
the boys in Gray were strong ana
stalwart Now most OF them have
reached threescore years and ten. What
an imposing and impressive sight An
army OF aged men, with the SHOWS OF
winter upon their heads. but with
hearts as warm ever beat In the
bodies OF men. The occasion impressed
some thoughts upon my mind. IL Was
time OF friendship and fellowship.
The fierce heat OF the sun and the tre-
mendous strain to which the veterans
were subjected were forgotten amid the
iov OF reunion. The boys in Blue had
q light in their eyes not seen upon
land and sea and a welcome for the
BOYS in gray. So sincere and so man
Is that il did more than anything mat
ever occurred TO wipe Out seetioi'at
lines and to bind hearts that were once
estranged Ii cost the national govern
,nent and the States a little more IMAM
Il million dollars 10 have this reunion.
Did il pay? \ thousand times. Yes.
In drawing the veterans OF the two
armies closer together. in rekindlne
the patriotism which the world adniires
and viii never forget. and III iresn
allegiance to that government when
enables the Confederate as Well as the
Federal TO lift up his voice 70 the ut
most bounds of our country and say,
Blessed is he that blesseth the. again
and again | ciasped hands with the boys
IN Blue Always and everywhere theE
had a kind word and a heartfelt greet
ing. 1t wac difficult at times TO get
away from them. one said TO me,
have been sunstruck, have heart dis-
ease and my wife told me il would XIII
me 10 come to this reunion, but ! tclc
her / must see the boys in Gray II IL
cost me my life" Another veteran
said TO me, You can have anything
have but my wife" A Federal cap
two hours drove me over the battle
field. especially 10 the spots followed
by the heroism of the two armies
While waiting for the train amid the
crash and crowd of thousands stool
by a Federal officer, aged ninety-siH,
John Boggs, Fourth pennsylvania
cavalry. AT first ne was very angry
and seemed TO hold me responsible for
the jostle which he received. friend
OF his in front said TO him that was
a Confederate soldier. Tears came INTO
his eyes and he said TO me. II you are
a Confederate soldier, you can push me
down. and / won't say anything TO
YOU" Friendship and fellowship is
good for the veterans OF the cross as
we'll as for the veteran Of our common
country one object seemed 10 ami
mate the veterans OF both armies
Differences Was sunk for the time be
ing in the desire to promote friendship
and fellowship. Other ships, titanic IN
size and cost have evoked the admira-
ton of the world, but none so dear To
the human heart as the ship freighted
with human affections. There was
every phase of political belief at Get
tysburg-Republican Democrats. Pro-
hibitionists, Socialists Standpattcrs
ProgreSsiyes. etc, but OF these you
heard not-only of the common good
Conservation to one great ideal be-
comes the Christian. Says Paul, This
one thing | do.
more imam once WIS ItiliHbcu Vi
the danger and result of delay as ! put
before me the three days battle at Get
tysburg.
The first day the Confederates drove
hack the Federals in confusion and
disaster. The second day they struck
such blow that staggered the Fed
eral Army.and Meade advised n retreat.
Neither Lee or Meade expected II battle
at Gettysburg. Heth's division started
TO Gettysburg TO supply themselves
with shoes. This brought on skir
mlsh and a battle, whose results no
man can calculate. and which will
never die. At the end of the first day
the Confederates could have easily
have taken and held Cemetery Hill
the key to Gettysburg. On the morn of
the second day an order was issued it
is said, by Lee to take Cemetery Hill,
but 1t was not carried out 1t was not
until the afternoon that Meade came
and Federal reinforcements poured In.
Then an attack was made. brilliant and
glorious. almost successful in complete
route of the Fcderals. but it was too
late. On tho third day Pickett. it la
said. was to have charge early In the
morning. but 1t was not until $40 p. NJ,
after the most terrific cannonading the
world has ever seen, but he started