The Republican journal., 1914-04-30
GETTYSBURG.
Fifth and Last Days Tramp Over the Battle
field.

After the morning meal we started off
on our final tramp over the field, as we
were to start for home the next morn
ing. 1t was one of the days seemingly
made to order for the old veterans; not
too hot or too cold, but just right to take
in the beauties of nature. How different
were our thoughts from those on the
morning SO years ago when we left the
field. As we tramped along Hancock
avenue our thoughts turned toward the
National Cemetery and Culps Hill, just
beyond on the extreme right of the
army on the first days battle. In the
National Cemetery stands the New York
monument, near the unknown dead. 1t
is beautiful monument with granite
base and surmounted by figure typify-
ing the Angel of Peace, who holds IN her
hand wreath of victory. 1t was dedl-
Gated July, 1898. Next we visited the
graves of the boys of Co. E., that we
might tell those at home where and how
they rest. We then took last look at
the Old Cemetery from which Cemetery
Ridge takes its name. The headstones
bear many marks of the fierce battle
that ragged there so years ago. Inc
guns stand on the same spots wnere oo
years ago they sent forth their missiles
of death. Again we wandered over the
National Park, where there is steel
tower. Climbing this tower you have a
fine view of the surrounding country.
Passing along Hancock avenue we came
to the statue of Gen'l Meade, standing
near the old house in which he had his
headquarters during the End and Bird days
battles, We visited the spot where on
the early morning of July End the olo
18th Maine marched onto the field with
4O6 men, all told. Half of this number
were killed or wounded. Markers have
been placed to show the different POSI-
tons up to the monument near the high
water mark, where stands their monu-
ment, showing where they stood on thu
afternoon of July 3rd, when Pickett,s
men came over the stone wall. Hancock's
statue stands on East Cemetery Ridge.
He commanded the LIST, End and Bird
Corps on July End. We visited the
statue of Gen'l Warren on Little Round
Top; also the statue of Gen'l Reynolds,
who commanded the 1st Corps on the
1st day and was killed while making
reconnaissance in front of the enemy.
Then we returned to camp for dinner.
In the afternoon we visited the sklrmlsn
line. or as near as it could be ascerta1ned,
where were four companies of the 18th
Maine-D. E. F. and G.-with Capt.
Fogler as officer of the day. These men
went out in the early morning of July
Bird between the two armies, laying HAT
on the ground with nothing to eat since
the night of the End and with but little
water to drink in scorching July sun.
Thew laid there until Pickett's charge
drove them back to Cemetery Ridge,
where they helped to stop Pickett's men.
It has been said that it takes more real
courage to lay down under fire with no
chance to reply than it does to face the
enemy in the field. There may be less
danger in the former, yet all testimony
gives preference to the latter.
Now we are back to camp to await the
morning, when we start off for home.
Saturday morning dawned bright and
beautiful. We partook of our last meal
on this historic ground and babe adieu to
Comrades we shall never meet again:
Comrade C. C. Roberts Of Chicago, and
Comrade Andrew D. Black Of California,
both formerly of Stockton. 1t was