The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1913-07-11
AT GETTYSBURG.
Cen B. H. league, Commander of S
C. Division, q. C. v, Writes of the
Gathering of Veterans On
Historic Field.

To the Editor of the State:
By this time the South Carolinians
who attended the Gettysburg reunion
have no doubt returned and are at
home again after experiencing one of
the most remarkable and wonderful
trips of their lives The majority went
On the Southern railways special
train, which started from Augusta last
Sunday afternoon and which landed
US at Gettysburg six hours late, our
delay in the beginning being caused
by the proverbial 'hot box" Just
here it may be we'll to draw conclu-
sions as tc which is to be preferred,
the delays Of special train or the
bother of change of cars On regu-
lar schedule, which will get you there
in time. Our special landed US at
night in the grand camp and we were
soon in our quarters, but to our dis
may found our tents pretty general
ly depleted of cots and bedding
raid having been made on them by
others who wanted to double their
share It was not long, though, be-
fore those were replaced and tired
veterans lay upon the battlefield. Sup
Der had been missed so that all were
ready for the ample breakfast that
was given them in the morning. The
part of the camp allotted the Con-
federate veterans was along Confed-
crate avenue of the now beautifully
laid out battlefield and fortunately a
grove of trees between it and the
tents proved a source of great COM
fort, for the weather the whole week
was fearfully hot. Our State flag was
planted at the head of the street Of
the South Carolina camp as was also
a genuine palmetto tree, The gift OF
your liberal and spirited townsman,
j Col. w. A. Clark The camp was
also designated by the streamers
which adorned our special train and
which bore the device South Caro-
lima Veterans for Gettysburg" These
emblems attracted immediate attention
and caused a visitation to us of many
hundreds of the boys in blue.
Soon after breakfast on Tuesday
morning the men scattered, each one
anxious to find the spot where SO
years ago he had shot his foe, cap
: tured his flag, lay wounded or attain
| ed his nearest approach to the en-
| emy's line Of battle. Many attended
the meetings in the "big tent" which
: had a capacity for $4,000 people anc
which at any meeting was no less
F than two-thirtls full. The numerous
historic points of the battlefield, the
camps of the different States, the
monuments on the field, the specia
reunions, the exercises Of each day
and the magnificent display of fire
works all contributed towards filling
every moment of our stay full Of in
terest and pleasure. The magnitude
of that great camp was astounding
and illuminaced at night by myriad'
of electric lights. A survey Of it Wa'
most beautiful and brilliant sight
The systematic management Of thi'
great gathering of people was a won
der of itself and it was its eflcien
: employment Of small army of Unitet
States soldiers, State constabulary AM
> civilians that protected the crowd
from harm and perfected the details
which abounded in such pleasure
comfort and satisfaction for them. 1
was the most successfully stupendou
) undertaking in a semi-civil and mill
tary way ever undertaken in any age
, and fortunate and blessed was the IN
dividual who was there as guest o
the great and grand State of PennsyI
vania. The spirit of friendliness ant
amity that pervaded the meeting O
: this multitude of people was beyond
: comprehension and comparison. Tht
/, "glad hand" was offered continual!