Newark post., 1913-07-09
Impressions Of The
Gettysburg Reunion
Written for The Post.

w WfttteH JOf me fOSt.
Without precedent in history and
unique in many ways, the reunion
Of veterans at the semi-centennial
celebration Of the battle on the
Battlefield Of Gettysburg last week,
has become world famous and taken
it's place in the history Of the ma
ton.
Greater even than the battle
was the reunion Of those who
fought there; for words may de-
scribe the confict-the rattle Of
musketry, the rumble of batteries
roaring defiance, the dash Of cav
airy, the hurting Of column against
column, thescream Of shot and
shell, the cries of pain of wounded
and dying, the odor of blood and
powder and the gray pail Of smoke
lowering over the field Of death
all this the imagination can con-
ceive. But words fail in describ-
ing the reunion-a spectacle so sub
lime that only ones higher and
better nature can family grasp and
perceive it's real import.
The fires Of wrath and hatred
that here burned so fercely fifty
years ago have been extinguished
and in the stead new fires of love
and patriotism kindled, by whose
gentle heat the two sections have
been welded into one grand united
nation, actuated by ideals of justice
and peace and equal opportunity
for all.
1t is not sign of weakness, but
Of hig moral courage to admit be-
ing in error; and Of magnanmity
in refraining from Haunting vic
tory in the face Of the vanquished;
and nevr were these noble qualities
demonstrated to greater effect than
at the reunion. Hands clasped
hands and eyes looked into eyes,
finding there the qualities worthy
of admiration and emulation, and
not trace Of the rancor and bit
terness of so years ago.
And this spirit Of love pervaded
the entire field-from the brown
tent city to the most hotly contest
ed"ns?i swapping "reminiscences of
days happily past. What pity
that all these tales could not be col
lected and preserved for coming
generations. A more interesting
collection, aside from it's historical
value, would be hard to find. Dur
ing these recitals many interesting
bits were related not found in our
histories.
The camp in itself is worthy of
note, being the largest this coun-
try, and probably the world, has
ever seen. More than 5000 tents,
arranged in over so streets, formed
vertiable canvas city, with pop
ulation of around 10000, of which
$4,000 were veterans, all Of whom.
with few exceptions, were over 70
years old, a notable fact in itself |
Much praise was bestowed by the
veterans on the arrangement and |
administration Of the camp, every
thing possible being done to secure
their comfort, and aside from the
heat all were happy and contented.
An instance of the treatment ac-
corded them was given by New
! ork vetrean who had been enter
5alnlng several visitors with stories
II the battle and leaders, remark
ng, "lf you boys will excuse me I \
Will go have dinner. We are having
.ricaseed chicken with all the trim
nlngs, and ice cream for DESSERT.
That is the way they feed us here" +"
One of the many interesting
acts herelated was that 65 "John- !
lies came frmo New York at the 7
states expense. !
Another veteran, an officer of .
llchlgan regiment, who was cap-
ured and sent to Pickett's head
uarters during the charge, relat- y
d how, after the charge, Pickett :,
ode up to his tent and turning to Il
ne Union officer said, 81 went in ST
lere with 5000 good men and 81
ame out with 1,200," then broke u u
own and cried like child. ie
Numberless incidents occurring all lie
yer the field showed how fully the m
sterans entered into the spirit of IN
e reunion. A tall Union veteran be-
ith an empty sleeve walked up la
Confederate and grasping him &c &c
the hand said, "How are you? St St
bod as you were so years ago?' hu
ack came the answer, eyes sir, ed
tier, and a moment more thye ed ;l
IRE chatting away like old friends. sh'
'uples and groups of Blue and un
ray walked or stood about the no