The Marietta journal. (Marietta, Ga.) 1918-1944, 1924-05-29
MANY PROMINENT
GEORG|ANS COME
TO SEE WORK BEGIN
Confederate Soldiers Present Re-
call Battle of so Years Ago
On Mountain

On the spot where the armies of
the Southern Confederacy three times
repulsed the assaults of foe supe-
rior in numbers and equipment,
where the sons of the south made a
last desperate effort to stem the mill
itary tide that was to envelope At
lanta and leave it desolate waste,
there was inaugurated Saturday a
project that will enshrine one of the
most historic natural monuments in
America.
On the slopes Of Kennesaw noun
tain, where 10000 of General Sher-
mans soldiers died in the attempt to
dislodge the Confederate forces from
their position on the crest Of the
hill, where 5000 southerners laid
down their lives in defense of the
cause that was more to them than
life itself, beginning was made on
a great highway that shall lead to
the very summit Of the mountain, to
the center Of the battlefield that stu
bears the scars Of war.
Governor Clifford Walker was the
central figure in the ceremonies that
marked the start of actual construc-
ton Of Kennesaw Mountain Battle
field Park, and of the highway that
will permit visitors to inspect the
scene of the historic conflict. He
turned the first spadeful of earth at
the point where the new road leaves
the Dixie highway and winds snake
like up the steep mountainside.
Veterans Recall Struggle
1t is almost sixty years since the
Battle of Kennesaw mountain, on
June 18, 1864, and many of the
white-haired veterans, some of them
in their uniforms of gray, and all of
them with the little bronze crosses of
honor on their breasts, who partici-
pated in the ceremonies here this af-
ternoon, had a part in the bloody
struggle. And in the gathering at
the foot of the mountain there were
also veterans of that other army
which battled to dislodge the Confed-
crates from the rocky crest of Kenne-
saw. Their interest today was just
as intense and their sentiment just
as lofty as those whom the fortunes
of war arrayed on the other side so
years ago.
Colonel J. Cotton Lynes, a distin-
guished veteran of the Confederacy,
was master Of ceremonies, wearing
his gold-braided gray uniform as he
stood on the porch of the modest lit
tie country home to describe briefly
the purpose Of the celebration and
to preside over the exercises.
Introducing Hollins Randolph, pres
ident Of the Stone Mountain Confed-
crate Memorial association, Colonel
Lynes recalled the historical signifi-
canoe of the occasion and brought to
mind the clash of arms that occurred
on that spot six decades ago.
Praise Given Cobb County
Pointing out the close association
of Kennesaw mountain with the great
Confederate memorial on the granite
face of Stone Mountain, only few
miles away, Mr.. Randolph gave en-
phasis to the sentiment that preserves
such historic spots and keeps alive
the ideals of the old South.
Incidentally, he paid highest trib-
ute to Cobb county as the birthplace
of men who have made history, men
who have wrought well for their day
and generation, men who are now
outstanding figures in the nations
life and activities.
His mention of William Gibbs Nc
Adoo, native son of Cobb county.
whose nomination as the Democratic
candidate for president now seems
imminent, drew roars of applause.