New-York tribune., 1913-06-29
The Semi-Centenary of Gettysburg.

The reunion of Northern and Southern veterans
which begins to-day on the battlefield of Gettys-
burg will he a unique historical event. About hty
thousand survivors of the Civil War-not necessa-
riy survivors of Gettysburg-will celebrate the hf-
teth anniversary of the most tremendous and de
cisive battle ever fought on this continent IN"
friendly interest taken in this celebration by the
South as well the North, and the participation
in it at the invitation of the federal government
and the state of Pennsylvania of those who fought
against the Uuion as well as those who fought for
it. give it an absolutely exceptional character
Nothing like it has ever occurred before, and moth
ing like it is likely to occur again.
This reunion is naturally the crownng event
among the many sem-centenarieS of the Civil War;
Gettysburg was the turning point of that war The
high.water mark of Confederate effort was the
clump of trees on General Hancocks line at when
Lee directed PickettS charge The invasion of Penn
sylvania was undertaken for the purpose of reliev
ing the increasing pressure on the South and OF
staving off or offsettng the threatened capitulaton
Of Vicksburg II was venture of reasoned daring
Lees generalship had been rewarded with many
striking military successes, and it was within the
bounds of probability that he might once more de-
feat the Army of the Potomac Northern SOIL
driving it back on Baltimore and Washington iSo-
iatng the capital and striking terror through the
North.
Lee had won against greater numerical odds al
The Second Battle of Manassas, at Fredericksburg
and at Charlottesville. He was justified in stalk
Ing the fortunes Of the COnfederacy on victory at
Gettysburg and in fighting there through three days
the crucial battle Of the war. He lost not through
mistakes Of strategy or tactics. but solely because
the Army of the Potomac had at last found leader
who knew how to employ its strength and who gave
II its first real chance 10 demonstrate IS equality III
endurance and heroism with the splendid Army OF
Northern Virginia.
Gettysburg is therefore the most appropriate
place to celebrate the reunion Of the sections, for
It was there that the possibility of that reunion
was really made secure. Moreover Gettysburg is
the one great battlefield in this country-or in the
world, for that matter-which has been scrupu'
lously preserved and turned into an easily studied
and tastefully marked and embellshed military
park The battle was fought in rolling. open coun-
try and any one who visits it quickly master
the positions and movements Of the opposing forces
Several million dollars have been spent by the fed
eral government and the states in making roads
and erecting memorials and no other battlefield in
the world compares with Gettysburg In the number
and artistic merit Of its monuments in its setting
Of natural beauty. It is a place stepped in in
spring associations and true shrine Of American
patriotism.
The Tribune will give from day to day In It's
news columns vivid picture Of what is happen
ING at the veterans reunion. It will also. as a
special feature reproduce in their order the letters
written fifty years ago from the field of battle by
its former editor, Mr.. Whiteaw Reid then serving
as correspondent for The Cincinnati Gazette
and using the dc plume Agate" These letters
will revive IN striking manner the immediate con-
temporary view of the great battle and emphasize
the contrast between those bloody days and the
fraternity harmony and oodfellowshp which now
rule there after fifty years.