Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1913-07-15
From the Gettysburg EieId,

This letter, written from the reunion a,
Gettysburg, was received by the Democrat just
before publication Of the last Issue, and too late
for use that week Though is.iis LATE, 1t will
h1w the impression made upon one veteran Uy
the AFFAIR."
GETTYSBURG, PA, July 4, 1918.
Imagine. the Androscoggin valley
widened by four or five times-five to
thirty miles in rolling hills back to the
SUBMITS as high as Oxford County
Mountains. Rock formation all disinte-
grated and deep rich soil to the tops
heavily wooded mountain sides-oak,
hickory, and other hard woods-no pine,
spruce or fir Every road side, lane or
farm house in heavy shade. One to
three barns 60 to 100 feet long to each
farm. with growing crops enough to Gil
them Houses showing all outward
signs of wealth. One easily believes the
boys will stay at home to inherit such
homes as these. This for 100 miles from
Philadelphia to Gettysburg. Imagine
sgain-an almost level plain l-2 miles
by l-2 miles, city of big brown tents,
each capable of accommodating sixteen
to twenty mer, but only twelve assigned
TO each. Streets twenty feet wide and
miles in length. Little Round Top and
Culp's bill are not mountains, but small
in history they tower mountains high.
The Maine delegation was on the field
at 7:30 P. NJ. Sunday, June och. The
principal exercise Of the veterans was
travelling in search of the spots they &C.
cupied fifty years ago, and looking for
the comrades of by-gone days.
The highest estimate made of expect
ed attendance was 10000. Tuesday night
DR.. Bradbury informed the writer there
were 6S, 900 men on the ground, includ
ing the Blue and Gray, and 5000 more
on the way to arrive during the night.
The death rate was much less than the
average at home for the same number OF
people. Comrade Brown of Lvermore
Falls was the first to die in camp. Wait
ing in line for his rations he reeled
moment, tripped over tent rope and
fell. Comrades took him at once to the
hospital, where he died soon after. DR..
Bradbury embalmed the body and per-
sonally attended to its shipment home.
The United States government furnished
the cssket, wrapped in Old Glory, and
the State of Maine furnished the trans
portatiou.
The doctors staff, the members of the
state militia and the Boy Scouts have
proved themselves an honor to the state,
and Maine may we'll be proud of them.
They are everywhere and know every
thing about the camp. Is veteran
lost, they take him TO his street, his
regiment, his tent. Always courteous,
they deserve the respect of our people at
home, as they have won il here.
Grumblers are always to be found, but
there is no occasion for it here.
The sleeping accommodations are of
the best. Cots and blankets for every
one, and foo without limit, aud the
best in the world.
The reunion of the Blue and Gray is
perfect and cordial. The unfortunate
stabbing Of some people by drunk n
young Southerner does not typify the
feeling by any means. He called Ahra-
ham Lincoln a nasty man aud got what
every man will while veteran is alive
a swat in the jaw.
OF course there ia room to grow elo-
quent If the writer was capable OF such
effort, bat suffice it to say the Old Boys
have had the time of their lives-good
quarters, good food, the finding of old
friends, and the last Hurrah for Old
Glory on Gettysburg's victorious field.
SCOTT.