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3 1924 083 812 275 
 
FIFTIETH 
 
 ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION 
 
 NEW YORK VETERANS 
 
 GETTYSBURG 
 1913 
 
NEW YORK STATE MONUMENT IN THE NATIONAL CEMETERY 
 
STATE OF NEW YORK 
 
 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 
 
 OF THi 
 
 BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 
 
 1913 
 
 REPORT OF THE 
 NEW YORK STATE COMMISSION 
 
 ALBANY 
 
 J. B. LYON COMPANY, PRINTERS 
 
 19 16 
 
New York Monuments Commission 
 
 FOR THE BATTLEFIELDS OF 
 
 GETTYSBURG, CHATTANOOGA AND ANTIETAM 
 
 New York, March 26, 1914 
 
 To the Legislature: 
 
 I have the honor to transmit herewith report of the celebration 
 of the fiftieth anniversary of the battle of Gettysburg by Civil War 
 veterans of the State of New York, July, 1913, under the auspices 
 of this Commission. 
 
 Respectfully yours, 
 
 LEWIS R. STEGMAN, 
 
 Chairman. 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Introduction - - - - - 7 
 
 Report of New York Monuments Commission ... 13 
 
 Programme of " New York Day " - - - - 27 
 
 Introductory Remarks by Col. Lewis R. Stegman ----- 29 
 
 Prayer — Rev. W. S. Hubbell, D. D. - - - - 29 
 
 Introductory Remarks by Gen. Horatio C. King - - - 30 
 
 Address — Governor William Sulzer, of New York - - - 33 
 
 Oration — Rev. Newell Dwight Hillis, D. D. - 35 
 
 Address — Major John H. Leathers - 49 
 
 Address — Col. Andrew Cowan - 52 
 
 Poem — Col. Edmund Berkeley - - 66 
 
 Address — Captain Albert M. Mills - - - 68 
 
 Poem — Gen. Horatio C. King - - 74 
 
 The Battle of Gettysburg — Horatio C. King, LL. D. - - 78 
 
 Circulars Issued in Preparation for the Celebration - 90 
 
ILLUSTRATIONS 
 
 New York State Monument ... 
 
 Bronze Tablets on New York State Monument 
 
 Bronz Tablets on New York State Monument 
 
 New New York Monuments Commission 
 
 New York Monuments Commission Camp 
 
 Official Group at Camp 
 
 Speakers at the Big Tent " New York Day " 
 
 Big Tent on Field ... 
 
 New York Section in Reunion Camp 
 
 Veterans Waiting for Quarters 
 
 Line up for Grub 
 
 Dinner in the Camp 
 
 Lutheran Seminary, 1803 
 
 General Wadsworth Monument, Seminary Ridge 
 
 Little Round Top, 1863 
 
 The Devil's Den, 1863 
 
 Culp's Hill, 1863 
 
 General Slocum Monument, Culp's Hill 
 
 General Greene Monument, Culp's Hill 
 
 The Angle — Pickett's Charge 
 
 General Webb Monument, The Angle 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Frontispiece 
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 GENERAL SLOCUM AND THE COMMANDING OFFICERS OF THE RIGHT WING 
 
 (Medallion on New York Monument) 
 
 DEATH OF GENERAL REYNOLDS ON SEMINARY RIDGE 
 
 (Medallion on New York Monument) 
 
THE GREAT CELEBRATION 
 
 THE report of the part taken by the State of New York in 
 the unparalleled celebration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of 
 the battle of Gettysburg would be incomplete without some 
 prefatory introduction of Pennsylvania's generosity. 
 
 Its inception is due to General H. S. Huidekoper, who was 
 followed by Col. John P. Nicholson, Chairman of the Gettysburg 
 National Park Commission. 
 
 In his message in January, 1909, the Governor, Edwin S. Stewart, 
 commended to the Legislature the recognition of this semi-centennial 
 by appointment of a Commission with the authority to invite the 
 co-operation of other States. A Commission was selected and in 
 response to its appeal a representative was accredited to the Com- 
 mission from every State and Territory, the District of Colimibia, 
 Porto Rico and Hawaii. 
 
 Governor Hughes, of New York, appointed General Daniel E. 
 Sickles, General Horatio C. King and General George S. Nichols, 
 Commissioners from this State. The latter did not serve, but the 
 others attended the meetings whenever called and participated in 
 its discussions. 
 
 In September, 1910, a large meeting of representatives, including 
 members of a special committee from Congress, met at Gettysburg 
 and agreed practically upon the plan of the celebration. It con- 
 templated the seemingly extraordinary position of extending a 
 general and hearty invitation to all ex-Confederate soldiers to 
 unite in this wide reunion and the final wiping out of all sectional 
 feeling engendered by the Civil War. Some doubt was expressed 
 that the South would participate, but the warmth of feeling mani- 
 fested by the Northern representatives that the result would be 
 satisfactory and beneficial prevailed. 
 
 [7] 
 
8 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 
 
 The Northern States responded to the appeals for appropriations 
 and some of the Southern States made provision for the transporta- 
 tion of their veterans. The Federal Government voted a liberal 
 appropriation and assigned its army officers under charge of Major 
 James E. Normoyle, as chief, and Major W. R. Grove, his 
 assistant, with Capt. H, F. Dalton and others, to erect the required 
 encampments and aid in providing for the food and medical care, 
 if necessary. The high-walled conical tents furnished cots for 
 twelve, but few, if any, were fully filled, though it was stated that 
 the vast camp received nearly sixty thousand. The anxiety that 
 many old soldiers would be killed by the heat and exposure was 
 dispelled when at the close of the gathering, the nimiber of dead 
 was just nine, and these principally from organic diseases. 
 
 It is not necessary to enumerate the innimierable details which 
 led up to the opening of the Reunion. The final Pennsjdvania Com- 
 mission comprised: Col. J. M. Schoonmaker, President, Lt. Col. 
 I/cwis E. Beitler, Secretary, Samuel C. Todd, Treasurer, and Com- 
 missioners Brevet Brigadier-General Wm. D. Dixon, Brevet Colonel 
 R. Bruce Ricketts, Corporal Irvin K. Campbell, Captain William 
 J. Patterson, Captain William E. Miller, Captain George F. Baer 
 and Captain John P. Green. Hon, John K. Tener was the Gov- 
 ernor of the State at this date. 
 
 The New York Legislature conferred upon the New York Monu- 
 ments Commission the arduous duty of taking its part in the Reunion. 
 Its labors are more particularly set forth hereafter. In all its work 
 and observations it had occasion to see and admire the wonderful 
 activity of Col. Beitler, whose efforts covered every featvu-e of the 
 Reunion. 
 
 Gettysburg College, which was leased by the State for Head- 
 quarters, was the general rendezvous of the large number of guests. 
 New York headquarters had its excellent and well conducted camp 
 just to the rear of the College. The Lutheran Seminary, whose still 
 existent cupola was the observation point of Generals Reynolds 
 and Buford on the first day's fight and of General Lee, thereafter, 
 
BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 9 
 
 was occupied by the female relatives of several of the Northern 
 and Southern officers who were in the battle. The State constab- 
 ulary maintained complete order in and out of camp. A large force 
 of U. S. infantry, cavalry and artillery added to the picturesqueness 
 of the scene. The Red Cross, the Safety Stations, the medical 
 attendants and nearly four hundred boy scouts were omnipresent. 
 But the greatest sight of all was the magnificent fraternity of the 
 " boys in blue and the boys in gray " as they sauntered over the field 
 which they had once contested so bravely and bitterly, all retelling 
 the story of fifty years ago and rejoicing in a restored Union. 
 
 PUBLIC EXERCISES 
 
 In the enormous tent, with its thirteen thousand chairs, many 
 reunions and all the public exercises were held. At two o'clock 
 on Tuesday, July 1st, an immense concourse gathered. Colonel 
 Schoonmaker presided and the program included: Prayer, by Rev. 
 Dr. G^eorge B. Love joy, Chaplain-in-Chief of the Grand Army of 
 the Republic; Address of welcome by Hon. Lindley M. Garrison, 
 Secretary of War; Address of welcome by Governor John K. Tener;, 
 Address by Alfred B. Beers, Commander-in-Chief of the Grand 
 Army of the Republic, and Address by Bennett H. Young, Com- 
 mander-in-Chief of the United Confederate Veterans. The final 
 prayer was assigned to Rev. Dr. H. M. Harrill, Chaplain-in- 
 Chief, United Confederate Veterans, who, for some reason, was 
 not present. The meeting closed by the band playing " America." 
 
 On the second day Col. Andrew Cowan, President of the Society 
 of the Army of the Potomac, presided with the following exercises: 
 Prayer, by Rev. Newell Dwight Hillis, D. D., Pastor of Plymouth 
 Church, Brooklyn; Addresses, by Maj .-General John R. Brooke, 
 U. S. A., and Sergeant John C. Scarborough, of North Carolina; 
 reading of Lincoln's speech at Gettysburg Cemetery by Wm. 
 Barry Bulkley, of Washington; Oration by Hon. Roswell B. 
 Burchard, Lt.-Governor of Rhode Island, and Benediction by Rev. 
 Dr. J. Richards Boyle, Chaplain of the Military Order of the Loyal 
 Legion. The President also presented these members of the family 
 
10 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 
 
 of General Meade: Miss Henrietta Meade, daughter, Mrs, George 
 G. Meade, daughter-in-law, George G. Meade, grandson, George 
 Gordon Meade Large, Mr. and Mrs. John B. Large, Robert H. 
 Large, S. Sargeant Large, Saunders L. Meade, Mrs. Charles P. 
 Fox, Mr. and Mrs. George J. Cooke, Miss Salvadora Meade and 
 Miss Henrietta Meade Large. 
 
 The sons and grandsons of General Longstreet and General 
 Pickett were on the platform, but left just before this unexpected 
 introduction. 
 
 On Thursday, July 3, after a great many regimental reunions, 
 the great tent was again prepared for the ceremonies of Governors' 
 Day. At two o'clock Governor Tener, presiding, took charge. Of 
 "the large number named on the program to speak, the following took 
 part: Rev. Henry M. Conden, Chaplain of the House of Repre- 
 sentatives, prayed; and addresses were made by Vice-President 
 Thomas R. Marshall, Speaker of the House, Champ Clark, James 
 B. McCreary, Governor of Kentucky, William Sulzer, Governor 
 of New York, William Hodges Mann, Governor of Virginia, James 
 S. Cox, Governor of Ohio, Simeon E. Baldwin, Governor of Con- 
 necticut, Adolph E. Eberhardt, Governor of Minnesota, Louis B. 
 Hanna, Governor of North Dakota, Charles R. Miller, Governor 
 of Delaware, William T. Haines, Governor of Maine, and Samuel 
 M. Ralston, Governor of Indiana. 
 
 These exercises concluded. New York took charge of the tent and 
 until 6 p. m. conducted its proceedings, which are given fully in 
 another part of this report. 
 
 The plan of the Reunion included the laying of the cornerstone 
 of a Peace Monument on July 4th, with the President and Chief 
 Justice of the Supreme Court as guests of honor. The project of 
 the Monimient was not acted upon by Congress and the invitations 
 were declined. On June 28th, the President notified the President 
 of the Commission of his intention to be present on the 4th. He 
 was met and escorted to the tent, made a brief speech and was 
 returned to the train within an hour. The disappointment was very 
 
GENERAL SICKLES (WOUNDED) AND HIS GENERALS 
 
 (Medallion on New York Monument) 
 
 GENERAL HANCOCK (WOUNDED) AND HIS GENERALS 
 
 (Medallion on New York Monument) 
 
BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 11 
 
 great that the Head of the Nation was not present during the 
 whole week. 
 
 OTHER INCIDENTS 
 
 Other incidents of special interest are worthy to be mentioned 
 here. The first was the unveiling of the Statue of Brevet Major- 
 General William Wells, of Vermont, by the Veterans and Citi- 
 zens of the Green Mountain State. Addresses were made by Col. 
 Myron M. Parker, Governor Allen M. Fletcher, Gen. Theodore 
 S. Peck, Hon. Wm. P. Dillingham, General E. M. Law, C. S. A., 
 General Felix H. Robertson, C. S. A., Col. John McElroy, Col. 
 Heman W. Allen, Col. Henry O. Clark, General L. A. Grant, 
 ex-Governor V. A. Woodbury, Gen. E. F. Dimmick, Col. W. D. 
 Mann, Capt. George Hillyer, C. S. A., Col. John W. Bennett, 
 Mr. W. B. Van Cunmiings, and Col. Gilbert D. Bouckman. 
 
 The second were the exercises by the Sixth Corps at the Eques- 
 trian Statue of General John Sedgwick, recently erected by 
 the State of Connecticut. Col. Andrew Cowan presided, and 
 addresses were made by Hon. Simeon E. Baldwin, Prof. John C. 
 Himes, Gen. Elisha H. Rhodes, General Horatio C. King, Captain 
 John H. Leathers, and H. K. Bush-Brown, the sculptor. Rev. W. S. 
 Hubbell pronounced the prayer and benediction. 
 
 On July 2nd, Indiana held a prominent Reunion in the large tent. 
 Two excellent addresses were made, by Nathaniel D. Cox, Chair- 
 man of the Indiana Commission and Hon. Samuel M. Ralston, 
 Governor of that State. 
 
 The ceremonies of the hand shake over the wall at the Angle, on 
 the afternoon of July 3, were of intense interest, despite the great 
 heat. The " Philadelphia Brigade " Association (Webb's Brigade), 
 Comrade Thomas Thompson commanding, and John W. Frazier, 
 adjutant, and one hundred and eighty men, and Pickett's Divi- 
 sion Association, Major W. W. Bentley commanding, with 
 Charles J. Loerb, secretary, and one hundred and twenty men, 
 took part in it. They formed in two opposing lines, a hundred 
 feet apart, as they did fifty years before. The Union flag 
 and the " Stars and Bars " confronted each other. Standing on 
 
12 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 
 
 the wall the Hon. J. Hampton Moore, M. C, from Philadelphia, 
 presented to Pickett's Division a beautiful silk United States 
 flag in an eloquent address. During the speech the two 
 standard bearers advanced and crossed the two flags. At its con- 
 clusion, the new flag was held above both the others, while Major 
 Bentley, with patriotic eloquence, accepted the flag on behalf of 
 the Association. The two lines then advanced to the stone wall 
 and meeting bviried their faces on each others shoulders while the 
 thousands of interested spectators raised a shout of praise and 
 grateful appreciation. 
 
 On the same evening there was a magnificent display of fire 
 works on Little Round Top, comprising about everything in 
 pyrotechnics, with a great salvo of dynamite gims and belching 
 mortars. 
 
 Soon after the departure of President Wilson, the closing cere- 
 monies began. At the sound of the mid-day ringing of the church 
 bells in Gettysburg, all officers, men and guests stood at "Attention " 
 on the College Campus, and at the several camps, veteran and 
 military, while the main colors were slowly lowered. A Battery 
 fired the national salute. As the echoes died away, the bugle rang 
 out and the Flag of our perpetual Union was again raised, the 
 band played the " Star-Spangled Banner," and The Great Reunion, 
 the greatest of its kind the world ever saw or ever will see, was ended. 
 Pennsylvania earned the thanks of the nation for its vmparalleled 
 generosity, carried out with marvelous tact and precision. The 
 splendid official report, prepared by Colonel Beitler, with its wealth 
 of pictures, will perpetuate its memory long after the days when 
 the last man of the Blue and the Gray shall have " crossed over the 
 river to rest in the shadow of the trees." To those who were fortu- 
 nate enough to be at the Reunion, there will remain always a deep 
 and lasting impression of the affectionate relations between the 
 Northern and Southern veterans as they walked in close embrace 
 and renewed their vows to honor and protect the preserved and 
 united country: one flag, one home, one destiny. 
 
NEW YORK MONUMENTS COMMISSION 
 
 FOR THE BATTLEFIELDS OF GETTYSBURG, 
 CHATTANOOGA AND ANTIETAM 
 
 116 Nassau Street, New York. 
 
 March 24, 1914. 
 To the Legislature: 
 
 An Act of the Pennsylvania Legislature, approved May 13, 1909, 
 created a Commission, known as the Fiftieth Anniversary of the 
 Battle of Gettysburg Commission, whose duty it was to consider 
 and arrange for a proper and fitting observance at Gettysburg, 
 of the fiftieth anniversary of the battle of Gettysburg, with authority 
 to invite the co-operation of the Congress of the United States and 
 of the other States and Commonwealths; and by an Act approved 
 June 14, 1911, to enable the Commission to further carry out these 
 provisions in accordance with its report, recommendations and plans, 
 the sum of $50,000 was appropriated, provided that the total amount 
 to be expended by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in connection 
 with this celebration should not exceed $250,000. 
 
 Governor Hughes of New York appointed Major-General 
 Sicldes, General Nichols and General Horatio C. King commis- 
 sioners from the State of New York, as associates from this State, 
 to co-operate with the Pennsylvania Commission. As far as can 
 be ascertained, however, that Commission took no practical official 
 action in connection with the work of the Pennsylvania Commission. 
 
 The Congress of the United States entered heartily into the 
 plan suggested by the State of Pennsylvania for conducting the 
 celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the battle of Gettysburg, 
 and appropriated the sum of $150,000 in furtherance of the object 
 in view. The State of Pennsylvania then appropriated the sum 
 of $150,000 for the piu-poses of a large military camp to be located 
 
 [13] 
 
14 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 
 
 on the battlefield. The Congressional and State appropriations 
 combined amounted to $300,000. Thereupon, U. S. A. engineers 
 and quartermasters were detailed to perform the practical work 
 necessary to establish a camp on the battlefield of Gettysburg pre- 
 pared to accommodate 40,000 Civil War veterans — Union and 
 Confederate. The Pennsylvania State Commission assumed the 
 labor of apportioning the number of veterans to which each sovereign 
 State would be entitled. New York State, under this apportion- 
 ment, was granted space in the general camp for 10,000 veterans. 
 Later on, this apportionment was reduced to 8,000. Upon these 
 fixed figures, the New York Commission based its action for the 
 larger part of the time preceding the opening of the encampment. 
 A short time before the encampment was formallj'' opened, the 
 State of Pennsylvania made a more extended allowance of tents 
 for the accommodation of New York veterans, but too late to be 
 of service to this State. It is very doubtful, though, whether any 
 more New York veterans would have availed themselves of any 
 extension of numbers than those who made application and actually 
 participated in the encampment. 
 
 In every relationship of business connected with the camp, the 
 officers of the Pennsylvania Commission — Colonel James M. 
 Schoonmaker, chairman, and Colonel Lewis E. Beitler, secretary — 
 extended every possible courtesy to the New York Commission. 
 Great thanks are due as well to the members of the Gettysburg 
 National Park Commission — Colonel John P. Nicholson (chair- 
 man). Major Charles A. Richardson and Colonel E. B. Cope 
 (engineer) — whose efforts and the splendid arrangements made by 
 them for the celebration contributed largely to its success. 
 
 The tentage and subsistence furnished in the camp to the vet- 
 erans were excellent, and have been extolled from one end of the 
 country to the other. 
 
 By section 1, chapter 227, of the Laws of 1912, which became 
 a law April 9, 1912, with the approval of the Governor, the New 
 York Monuments Commission for the Battlefields of Gettysburg 
 
BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 15 
 
 and Chattanooga was appointed a Commission to plan and conduct 
 a public celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the battle of Gettys- 
 burg. This Commission was given power to enter into negotiations 
 and co-operate with the State of Pennsylvania in relation to such 
 a celebration. 
 
 This Act contemplated a movement of 25,000 veterans and an 
 expenditure of $265,000; and it was apparent at the outset to those 
 entrusted with this enormous task that the responsibility thereby 
 placed on them vastly exceeded that of any similar project hitherto 
 undertaken by the Commission. The Commission, therefore, felt 
 that the duty confided to it by the Legislature in this assignment 
 was worthy of its best efforts, calling for thorough organization and 
 proper circumspection throughout. 
 
 The nearest approach to a celebration of this magnitude, con- 
 ducted under the direction of the New York Monuments Commis- 
 sion, was the dedication, in 1893, of the New York State monument 
 at Gettysburg. 
 
 On April 24, 1912, the New York Monuments Commission held 
 a special meeting for the purpose of considering in every detail 
 the provisions of chapter 227, Laws of 1912. General McCook, 
 Colonel Stegman and General King were appointed an executive 
 committee. Quarters were secured for the Commission on the 
 second floor of No. 1 East Ninth Street, and on May 1, 1912, thej'^ 
 installed their office there. The chairman and the secretary were 
 authorized to communicate with the State Superintendent of 
 Prisons, with a view of securing from him the ofiice furniture needed 
 by the Commission. 
 
 It was decided at this meeting that there should be two units of 
 organization — Grand Army of the Republic Posts, and the 
 " unattached " (those veteran soldiers who did not belong to that 
 organization) . 
 
 The question as to the particular meaning that should be given 
 to the words " resident " and " citizen ", for the purpose of the 
 
16 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 
 
 Commission, was also taken into consideration, and it was deter- 
 mined, that for an applicant to be eligible he must be an honorably- 
 discharged soldier, sailor or marine, from the army, navy or marine 
 corps of the United States, or an honorably discharged soldier of 
 the armies of the Southern Confederacy, in the war of the Rebellion, 
 and now a resident of the State of New York. 
 
 For application form and form for identification of applicants, 
 it was decided to adopt those which appear on the printed blanks 
 comprised in this report. On the sheet containing these forms an 
 announcement was made that no application would be received by 
 the Commission after May 1, 1913. 
 
 The issuance of Circular No. 1, included herein, also resulted 
 from deliberations occupying the Commission at the meeting held 
 April 24, 1912. The first instalment of 5,000 copies of this circular, 
 dated June 12, 1912, was distributed among various Grand Army 
 Posts, newspapers and veterans throughout the State. Subse- 
 quently, a second edition of 6,000 copies was procured and distrib- 
 uted. 
 
 Following the distribution of Circular No. 1, the work of distrib- 
 uting the application blanks, referred to in paragraph 4 of Cir- 
 cular No. 1, was taken up. In all, 25,000 application blanks were 
 printed. 
 
 Inquiry was made in advance of the G. A. R. Posts respecting 
 the number of application blanks desired by them for the use of 
 their members. These blanks when sent out were accompanied by 
 a circular letter of instruction, pointing out, among other things, 
 the importance of selecting a conveniently central point in the 
 county, or, if preferred, two or three points, where a large nmnber 
 of veterans might be expected to meet when starting for Gettys- 
 burg. Also, in the case of blanks intended for veterans who were 
 not members of G. A. R. Posts it was requested that these veterans 
 be instructed to communicate with this Commission direct. 
 
 Applications for transportation came in slowly dm'ing the year 
 1912. At the opening of 1913, however, they began to increase in 
 
NEW YORK MONUMENTS COMMISSION, 1913 
 
BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 17 
 
 volume. The clerks employed were kept busy, many corrections 
 having to be made in the applications, by reason of errors committed 
 b}^ the applicants, requiring the re-mailing of documents and letters 
 of information. 
 
 In December, 1912, a meeting for the election of officers of the 
 New York Monuments Commission, and the Gettysburg Fiftieth 
 Anniversary Celebration Commission, was held at No. 23 Fifth 
 Avenue, Borough of Manhattan. General Horatio C. King was 
 elected Chairman of the Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration Com- 
 mission and Colonel Lewis R. Stegman Chairman of the New York 
 jNIonuments Commission for the Battlefields of Gettysburg and 
 Chattanooga. A. J. Zabriskie was appointed engineer and secretary 
 of both Commissions by action of the respective Commissions. Extra 
 recompense was promised to the engineer and secretary for the 
 additional arduous labor which it was felt would be entailed on that 
 officer in connection with the Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration of 
 the Battle of Gettysburg, 
 
 Chairman King at once issued circulars of advice as to the methods 
 of filing applications and rules applicable thereto. Copies of the 
 circulars are hereto annexed. These circulars were sent to G. A. R. 
 Posts and to every individual soldier who had written for infor- 
 mation. Newspapers throughout the State noted the important 
 points of information for the benefit of their readers and the veterans 
 of the various localities. 
 
 In April, 1913, the office of the Commission of the " Fiftieth Anni- 
 versary Celebration " was removed to 116 Nassau Street, Borough 
 of Manhattan, offering as it did more convenience for the transaction 
 of business, and at a cheaper rental. 
 
 During the session of the Legislature of 1913 a new Battlefields 
 Commission was instituted, the old or former Commission being 
 abolished. This Act of the Legislature became chapter 550, Laws 
 of 1913. 
 
 Under this law the Governor appointed three Civil War veterans, 
 namely Colonel Clinton Beckwith, Colonel Lewis R. Stegman and 
 
18 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 
 
 General George B. Loud, and the Adjutant General, Henry D. 
 Hamilton to act as commissioners. General Loud declining the 
 appointment, General Horatio C. King was appointed in his place. 
 
 The new Commission organized at the State Arsenal, Thirty- 
 fifth Street and Seventh Avenue, Borough of Manhattan, on May 
 22, 1913. Colonel Lewis R. Stegman was elected chairman and 
 A. J. Zabriskie was appointed engineer and secretary. The new 
 Commission immediately superseded the old Commission, taking 
 charge of the entire business in hand. 
 
 Colonel Beckwith at once applied himself to the examination of 
 all applications of veterans for transportation and so continued until 
 the final completion of that work. 
 
 The work of the new Commission was conducted upon the same 
 lines of procedure as those of the preceding Commission as to rules 
 and applications. 
 
 From the knowledge acquired in the reception of applications, 
 it had been learned that not as many veteran soldiers of New York 
 State would take advantage of the celebration as had been anticipated, 
 under Chapter 227, Laws of 1912; and at the suggestion of the 
 members of the new Commission Chapter 725, Laws of 1913, was 
 passed. This Act appropriated $150,000 for the transportation of 
 veterans to the field of Gettysburg, and retm-n, in addition to the 
 $15,000 theretofore appropriated for office hire and all the incidentals 
 required for so large an enterprise — making $165,000 in all, or 
 lowering the estimate of 1912 by $100,000. 
 
 In the latter part of the month of May, 1913, Colonel Beckwith 
 and Chairman Stegman visited Harrisburg, Pa., and conferred with 
 the Pennsylvania Commission, with headquarters there, in regard 
 to many details of business; and from thence proceeded to the 
 Gettysburg battlefield to survey the proposed government camp, 
 then in process of erection. They also visited Littletown and Han- 
 over, distant from Gettysburg twelve and fourteen miles, repec- 
 tively, for the purpose of finding a location for the proposed special 
 
BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 19 
 
 train of the New York Monuments Commission and its guests during 
 the celebration. This was an essential necessity, as no railroad trains 
 were to be permitted to remain on the tracks at Gettysburg longer 
 than was necessary to detrain soldiers from the arriving trains. 
 Hanover was selected as the site of the proposed New York Com- 
 mission train, and arrangements were entered into to provide suffi- 
 cient automobiles to transport all guests from the train to Gettys- 
 burg, and return, over fair roads, and within an hour's ride either 
 way. 
 
 At a meeting of the Commission held in the early part of June, 
 a report on the above conditions was submitted for its consideration. 
 The possible excessive heat of the weather in July at Gettysburg 
 was discussed, and at the suggestion of Adjutant General Hamilton, 
 who kindly offered to lend tents for the occasion, it was detei*mined 
 that instead of remaining in a special train at Hanover, if the ground 
 could be acquired at Gettysburg, the Commission and its guests 
 would go into a regular tent camp, furnishing its own subsistence 
 and material. This suggestion was adopted. Thereupon, Captain 
 Charles E. Fiske, of the Adjutant-General's staff, and Chairman 
 Stegman visited the office of the Pennsylvania Commission, at 
 Harrisburg, and through the kindness and courtesy of Colonel 
 Beitler, secretary of that Commission, possible locations for a New 
 York Commission camp at Gettysburg were described. The plot 
 of ground just north of Pennsylvania College, and containing 
 Steven's Hall ■ — a part of the College — seemed to offer the best 
 facilities for such a camp as was contemplated. Captain Fiske and 
 the chairman immediately proceeded to Gettysburg, and after care- 
 fully surveying several situations as possibly eligible finally deter- 
 mined upon the Stevens Hall site as the most convenient place. 
 This site is located on a square bounded by Carlisle and Washington 
 Streets and Lincoln Avenue and Stevens Street. Captain Fiske at 
 once devoted himself to the formation of the camp. This camp was 
 
20 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 
 
 established to accommodate seventy people, with dining tent, 
 kitchen, storehouses and special shower bath tent. Tents were pro- 
 vided for the Governor, Lieutenant-Governor and Comptroller, for 
 use while visiting camp or for the reception of visitors. 
 
 Through the courtesy of the Pennsylvania Commission, special, 
 rooms for the accommodation of the Governor and Mrs. Sulzer, the 
 Lieutenant-Governor and Mrs. Glynn, and the Comptroller had been 
 assigned at the Pennsylvania College, near the New York Com- 
 mission camp. These State officers were to be guests of the Pennsyl- 
 vania Commission, by special invitation. 
 
 The camp of the New York Commission, as formed and laid out, 
 was to accommodate the Adjutant- General and his staff, the guests 
 of the Commission, State Senators, Assemblymen, the orators 
 invited for the occasion, newspaper correspondents, clerks, stenog- 
 raphers, military orderlies and the help required in the subsistence 
 department. 
 
 In the meantime, in the New York office the necessities of quick 
 and expeditious work required for the transmission of the trans- 
 portation certificates, identification cards and New York State com- 
 memoration badges of bronze, authorized by the Commission, for 
 each of the veterans entitled to the same, compelled the Commission 
 to hire many additional clerks. By reason of this action, the Com- 
 mission was enabled to mail all the requisite documents to each 
 individual veteran (at his post office address) in ample time for use 
 in the trip to Gettysburg, and return. It is believed that no veteran 
 in this State who made proper application for transportation was 
 disappointed in this matter. That many failed to go was due to 
 personal inclination after the receipt of the transportation certifi- 
 cates, disabilities, business, and in some cases death. 
 
 Although the limit of time for the reception of applications had 
 been set and advertised for May 31, 1913, the Commission extended 
 the time to June, and practically issued transportation certificates 
 to June 25th. Every legitimate personal call at the office of the 
 Commission was accommodated, and all letters promptly answered. 
 
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BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 21 
 
 Pursuant to chapter 227, Laws of 1912, the Governor, Lieutenant- 
 Governor and Comptroller, the Governor's staff, ten Senators and 
 fifteen Assemblymen, and the New York Monxmients Commission, 
 were designated to proceed to Gettysburg to participate in the 
 celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the battle, covering from 
 July 1 to July 5, 1913. In addition, the Secretary of State, the 
 Attorney-General, the State Treasurer and State Engineer were 
 invited to accompany the New York delegation. 
 
 President pro tem. Wagner, of the Senate, furnished the fol- 
 lowing list of Senators to be guests of the Commission on the 
 occasion: Wagner (President pro tem.), Herrick, Carswell, Palmer, 
 Murtaugh, CuUen, Brown, Frawley, Fitzgerald and Ramsperger. 
 
 Speaker Smith, of the Assembly, furnished the following list of 
 Assemblymen: Smith (Speaker), Sweet, Tallett, Small, Kiernan, 
 Birnkrant, Fitzgerald, Fallon, Heyman, John J. Kelly, Hinman, 
 Garvey, Joseph D. Kelly, Kornobis and Levy. 
 
 The Governor's staff consisted of the following officers: The 
 Adjutant-General, Brig-Gen. H. D. Hamilton, Major Foster, 
 Captains Fiske, Harris, Collins, Costigan, Finke, Teets, Walsh, 
 Berry, Redington, and Lieutenants Niver, Malone and Walton, of 
 the New York Naval Reserve Commander Josephson, four orderlies, 
 and Mr. Robinson, stenographer to the Adjutant-General. 
 
 The newspaper correspondents who accompanied the party were: 
 Mr. Merriwether, of the New York World, Mr. Sherwood, of the 
 New York Tribune, and Mr, Jones, of the New York Globe. 
 
 Lieutenant-Governor Glynn and Assemblyman Hinman sent 
 letters of regret. 
 
 With the New York Commissioners, Colonel Beckwith, General 
 King, Colonel Stegman and the Adjutant- General (noted as with 
 his Staff) were: A. J. Zabriskie, engineer and secretary of the New 
 York Monuments Commission, Rev. Newell Dwight Hillis, D. D., 
 orator of " New York Day ", Captain Albert M. Mills, orator 
 " New York Day ", and Chas. F. Tinkham, stenographer. 
 
22 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 
 
 All the official party to accompany the special train were duly 
 notified to be present at the State Arsenal, corner Thirty-fifth Street 
 and Seventh Avenue, Borough of Manhattan, at 8:30 a. m., Mon- 
 day, June 30th. The train accommodation was furnished by the 
 Pennsylvania Railroad and consisted of several Pullman cars and 
 a diner. The train left New York for Gettysburg at 10 a. m. 
 Breakfast was served on the departure of the train. Lunch followed 
 en route. The route followed was by Philadelphia, Lancaster, York 
 and Hanover into Gettysburg, where the party arrived about 
 5:30 p. m. 
 
 At the depot, at Gettysburg, the official party was met by Captain 
 Fiske, of the Adjutant-General's staff, and were seated at once in 
 automobiles for conveyance to the Commission's camp. The camp 
 was soon reached and the official party duly installed in the tents 
 allotted to them. Soon thereafter dinner was served. Many of the 
 guests then visited the town. 
 
 Twelve automobiles having been contracted for the use of the 
 guests of the Commission, they were duly apportioned, and the 
 guests, thereafter, had the free use of the automobiles to which they 
 were assigned. 
 
 On Tuesday, July 1, the official party left camp for an inspection 
 of the battlefield. Several salient points were selected for observa- 
 tion, and from these positions of advantage the chairman of the 
 commission explained to the party the several movements of the 
 Union and Confederate armies, with such incidents of interest as 
 occurred upon that particular portion of the field. Among these 
 stoppages were included the line of Buford's Cavalry, and the 
 infantry lines of the First Corps of the Union Ai-my; thence they 
 went to the Eleventh Corps lines, in the first day's fight; thence 
 to Gulp's Hill and the Twelfth Corps line, with part of the Sixth 
 Corps in support on the second and third day's battle; thence to 
 Cemetery Hill, part of the second day's fight; thence to the Angle, 
 the location of the Second Corps and the celebrated Pickett's charge 
 
BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 23 
 
 of Confederates on the third day; thence to the Round Tops, where 
 a full view was had of the positions of the Third Corps, Fifth and 
 Sixth Corps in the second day's fight. The party then proceeded 
 along Confederate Avenue, covering the positions occupied by the 
 Confederate Army during the second and third day's battles, and 
 thence to the Commission camp for lunch. 
 
 The afternoon was devoted to an examination of the large main 
 camp, particularly the New York State allotment. The veterans 
 from this State expressed great admiration for the excellent manner 
 in which they were being treated, both in tentage and subsistence. 
 Every sanitary precaution for health known to camp life had been 
 adopted by the United States authorities. Good roads traversed 
 every portion of the camp. Hydrants, with ice attachments, 
 abounded, affording plenty of cold water for the benefit of the 
 veterans. 
 
 It may be well to note here that the United States government 
 authorities and the Pennsylvania Commission had provided complete 
 hospital accommodations in Gettysburg, while hospital tents were 
 erected on every road and byway, in charge of Red Cross nurses, 
 and commimicating with each other and the main hospital by tele- 
 phone and telegraph. Ambulances traversed every road, ready to 
 pick up and relieve any disabled veteran. To this magnificent 
 service is due the small number of casualties which occurred during 
 the encampment. It is estimated that 70,000 Union and Confederate 
 veterans attended the celebration, about 55,000 of whom were in 
 the large camp. According to the official report of casualties, only 
 nine veterans died during the encampment — an extraordinary low 
 percentage for the large nmnbers who attended, and considering the 
 excessive heat which prevailed. Two of the death casualties were 
 New York veterans — John H. Reynolds, of Port Chester, N. Y., 
 and Otto L. Starn, of Almond, N. Y. Both these veterans died of 
 organic diseases. The sunstrokes were not many and there were 
 no deaths from that cause. The roads and streets were patrolled 
 
24 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 
 
 by U. S. Cavalry, and the State Constabulary of Pennsylvania, 
 with police powers, and the utmost order prevailed. 
 
 On Wednesday, July 2nd, the New York official party divided up 
 into sections, many again visiting portions of the field, while others 
 visited adjacent towns of historic interest in connection with the 
 field. Adjutant- General Hamilton and staff paid official visits to 
 the United States Army officers and to other State military men 
 on the ground. Governor Sulzer and Mrs. Sulzer arrived at Gettys- 
 burg and were assigned quarters at the Pennsylvania College. The 
 Chairman of the Commission called upon the Governor and extended 
 a welcome to the Commission camp. The Governor and Mrs. Sulzer 
 participated in the Commission dinner at the camp. 
 
 On Thursday, July 3rd, many visitors called at the camp and 
 were pleasantly entertained. In the morning Governor Sulzer and 
 Mrs. Sulzer, accompanied by the chairman and Mrs. Stegman, 
 Colonel Beckwith, Captain Mills and Captain Redington, in auto- 
 mobiles, visited the whole field, returning in time for lunch at camp. 
 The guests of the Commission journeyed to many different places. 
 In the afternoon, at what was distinguished as the " Big Tent," 
 in the main camp ground, " New York Day " was celebrated. More 
 than five thousand veteran soldiers participated in the exercises. It 
 was an occasion that thrilled the hearts of all New Yorkers present 
 and made them feel very proud of their State. In the evening there 
 was a grand display of fireworks on Little Round Top, which was 
 viewed by the guests from advantageous points. 
 
 The proceedings of this great meeting are embodied in full in 
 succeeding pages, under the title of " New York Day at Gettys- 
 burg." 
 
 Friday, July 4th, was devoted by the guests of the Commission 
 to visits to the veterans' camp and expeditions to outlying towns. 
 In the morning. President Wilson delivered an oration to the 
 veterans in the big tent. Large numbers of the veteran soldiers 
 commenced starting for home. 
 
BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 25 
 
 On Saturday, July 5th, the New York Commission delegation 
 broke camp at Gettysburg. The automobiles being ready, a start 
 was made for Antietam battlefield, in Maryland, at 7 a. m. Pro- 
 ceeding by the Chambersburg Road, the party reached Chambers- 
 burg, Pa., about 9 a. m. After a short stop in this town, the journey 
 was resumed, via Greencastle, Pa., to Hagerstown, Md., where 
 another short stop was made to bring the automobiles together. From 
 Hagerstown the party proceeded to the Antietam field, halting at 
 the famous and historic Dunker Church. At this point the chair- 
 man of the Commission described the battle of September 17, 1862, 
 of the right and center wings of the Union Army. The party then 
 rode over to the scene of the operations of the left wing of the Union 
 Army, where a halt was made at the " Bm-nside Bridge," also famous 
 and historic, and where a short address was made by the chairman, 
 descriptive of the events on that part of the field. The return trip 
 to Hagerstown was made in a very short time; and the special 
 official train was found ready at that point to convey the party to 
 New York. The party was soon entrained and found a most relish- 
 able luncheon prepared for them which was heartily enjoyed, after 
 an automobile ride of fully eighty miles. The train started from 
 Hagerstown at 3 p. m. and proceeded by the way of Harrisburg, 
 Lancaster and Philadelphia, reaching New York at 10 p. m., where 
 all the party was safely detrained. En route dinner had been served. 
 
 During the week spent in attending the celebration not an accident 
 occurred to any of the official party. The itinerary of the Com- 
 mission was well carried out, and, as far as could be learned, every 
 guest of the Commission was highly delighted and gratified with 
 the trip. 
 
 Great credit is due to Engineer and Secretary A. J. Zabriskie 
 for the perfect railroad arrangements, and to Captain Charles E. 
 Fiske, of the Adjutant-General's staff, for the splendid success of 
 the Commission camp. 
 
26 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 
 
 Many of the posts of the G. A. R, of the State passed resolutions 
 commending the Commission for the care and consideration shown 
 the veterans in every detail that would enhance their comfort and 
 happiness during the celebration. 
 
 New York State has every reason to feel proud of its splendid 
 representation at this great celebration. Its veterans conducted 
 themselves in every possible respect in a way to reflect honor upon 
 their Commonwealth. 
 
 Respectfully submitted, in behalf of the New York Monuments 
 Commission, 
 
 LEWIS R. STEGMAN, 
 
 Chairman. 
 
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NEW YORK DAY AT GETTYSBURG. 
 
 NEW YORK VETERANS SEMI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRA- 
 TION OF THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG, 
 
 UNDER THE DIRECTION OF 
 
 THE NEW YORK MONUMENTS COMMISSION IN THE LARGE 
 TENT ON THE BATTLEFIELD, 
 
 At 4:30 p. M„ Thursday, July 3, 1915. 
 
 A Cordial Invitation Was Extended to All Union and Confederate 
 Veterans and to the General Public. 
 
 NEW YORK VETERANS CELEBRATION 
 GETTYSBURG JULY 3, 1913. 
 
 PROGRAM. 
 
 Music — Citizens Band. 
 
 1. Remarks by Colonel Lewis R. Stegman, U. S. V., Chairman 
 
 of the New York Monuments Commission, introducing 
 General Horatio C. King, U. S. V., the Presiding Officer. 
 
 2. Invocation — Rev. W. S. Hubbell, D. D. 
 
 3. Introductory Remarks by Chairman King. 
 
 4. Address — His Excellency, Hon. William Sulzer, Governor of 
 
 New York. 
 
 Music — Citizens Band. 
 
 5. Oration — Rev. Newell Dwight Hillis, D, D., Pastor of Ply- 
 
 mouth Church, Brooklyn. 
 
 6. Hymn — " My Country, 'Tis of Thee ", Smith. 
 The audience will join in the singing. 
 
 My country, 'tis of thee. 
 Sweet land of liberty, 
 
 Of thee I sing. 
 Land where our fathers died, 
 Land of the Pilgrims' pride. 
 From every mountain side 
 
 Let freedom ring. 
 [27] 
 
28 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 
 
 Our fathers' God to Thee, 
 Author of liberty. 
 
 To Thee we sing, 
 Long may our land be bright, 
 With freedom's holy light, 
 Protect us by Thy might. 
 
 Great God our King. 
 
 7. Remarks — John H. Leathers, C. S. A., Sergeant-Ma j or, 
 
 Second Virginia Infantry, Stonewall Brigade. 
 
 8. Address — Colonel Andrew Cowan, U. S. V., President of the 
 
 Society of the Army of the Potomac. 
 Music — " Dixie." 
 
 9. Poem — Colonel Edmund Berkeley, Eighth Virginia Regiment, 
 
 C. S. A. 
 
 Music — Citizens Band. 
 
 10. Address — Captain Albert M. Mills, U. S. V., Eighth New 
 
 York Cavalry, Gamble's Brigade, Buford's Cavalry. 
 
 11. Poem — "Gettysburg" (by request). General Horatio C. 
 
 King, U. S. V. 
 
 12. Benediction — Rev. W. S. Hubbell, D. D. 
 
 13. Music — " Star Spangled Banner ", Key. 
 
 REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS 
 
 The special meeting of the New York veterans and invited guests 
 under the auspices of the New York Monuments Commission was 
 held in the great tent July 3rd, at 4 :30 P. M. More than five thou- 
 sand veterans gathered at the exercises and manifested by their 
 enthusiastic applause the rare literary treat afforded them. 
 
 After music by the Citizens Band, Colonel Lewis R. Stegman, 
 Chairman of the New York Monuments Commission, called the 
 meeting to order, and said: 
 
 Comrades of the State of New York, Comrades both Union and 
 Confederate from all the States, who may be present, we bid you a 
 very hearty welcome to our New York Day Celebration. I do not 
 propose to make any lengthy remarks. Fifty years ago, upon this 
 
BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 29 
 
 field, I made remarks that are indelibly impressed upon my memory 
 and do not need to be repeated here. 
 
 In the world's history there is no record of such fraternal greeting 
 and brotherhood between old-time foes as is being exhibited on this 
 great battle ground. It will never be repeated again. It could not 
 be except between Americans, the most gallant and dauntless soldiers 
 of the world. 
 
 On this field was displayed a valor never surpassed in military 
 annals. The men who fought here did not realize the tremendous 
 consequences of the battle. It was the pivotal point of the war. 
 It decided that we should have but one Government, one Flag and 
 one Destiny for the whole American people. And I am glad to say, 
 fifty years afterwards, that New York Boys, Commanders and Men, 
 played an important part in the terrific engagement which decided 
 this destiny. 
 
 I now take great pleasure in introducing to you the presiding 
 officer of this occasion. General Horatio C. King, of the State of 
 New York. 
 
 General King then asked the Rev. Dr. Hubbell, D. D., Chaplain 
 of the Military Order of the Medal of Honor to pronounce the 
 Invocation. 
 
 Prayer by the Rev. W. S. Hubbell, D. D. 
 
 Almighty God, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, who hast given 
 us liberty beneath this flag, in righteousness by the will of the people. 
 Grant, we pray Thee, to the multitudes whom Thou hast ordained in 
 power the spirit of wisdom and equitj'', that our Nation may be 
 established in peace, unity, honor and strength. 
 
 Bless with Thy protecting care. Thy servants, the President of the 
 United States, the officers and men of the Army and Navy, our 
 Governors, Law-makers, Magistrates, Counsellors and all others en- 
 trusted with authority, so preserving them from evil and enriching 
 them with good that our people may prosper in freedom and may 
 glorify Thy name in all the earth. 
 
 We ask it for the sake of the Prince of Peace. Amen! 
 
30 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 
 
 General Horatio C. King: I feel it both a great honor and a 
 great privilege to preside on an occasion of this character, one that 
 has never been paralleled in all times, and probably never will here- 
 after. When I look over this sea of aged men, I can hardly realize 
 the lapse of time — fifty years — when you and I, my comrades, 
 mere stripling boys, stood shoulder to shoulder and elbow to elbow 
 in the greatest contest for the grandest purpose ever known in all 
 the world. Surely, the time has passed so rapidly that it seems but 
 yesterday when we were engaged in that awful struggle. Time flies 
 with all of us, and yet I feel, and you must feel with me, that in 
 tramping over this field time is obliterated and we are boys once more. 
 
 I am reminded of a pert little darkey in a Sunday school in Wash- 
 ington, in her white dress with red furbelows, leaning back in her 
 chair and fanning herself with a turkey feather fan, while the teacher 
 was telling the class of things which occurred in Palestine a long 
 time ago. " Yes, my dear children, the Saviour came into the world 
 to save sinners, to save you and to save me — nineteen hundred years 
 ago." The little darkey threw herself back and exclaimed, " My! my! 
 how de time do fly." 
 
 I am also reminded of another story; about a Dutchman who, 
 having obtained a goodly share of this world's goods, went to an 
 artist to have his father's picture painted. The artist said, " send him 
 up here." The Dutchman replied, " Mein fader is dead." The artist 
 asked, "Haven't you a photograph of him?" "Nein! nein! we 
 have no picture of him whatever." But the Dutchman gave the artist 
 the best description he could of the deceased parent and the accom- 
 modating painter painted him from the figments of his imagination. 
 When completed the family were invited to the studio, where they 
 sat for some time in rapt admiration. Finally, Katrina broke the 
 silence, and raising her hands heavenward exclaimed, "Ya! ya! 
 Zat is mein fader, but mein Gott how he has changed! " 
 
 Well, we are somewhat older, boys, and we have changed some- 
 what, but our hearts are as young as ever. I realize the fact that 
 
SPEAKERS AT THE BIG TENT ON <'NEW YORK DAY," JULY 3, 1913 
 
BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 31 
 
 a presiding officer's duty is to preside. I am going to be brief in my 
 remarks. About this hour, half a century ago, the last despairing 
 effort was made to carry Cemetery Ridge. No more splendid valor 
 was shown on any battlefield than that which determined the fate of 
 the Confederacy, and covered both armies with imperishable renown- 
 Looking forward fifty years seems an interminable vista. Looking 
 backward the incidents are as fresh as if they had occurred yesterday. 
 I have embodied this in a brief poem that I have called " A Retro- 
 spect ", and I will read it to you. 
 
 A RETROSPECT 
 
 By General Horatio C. King 
 
 The fleeting years, full fifty now. 
 
 Are numbered with the past. 
 And memory with all its joys 
 
 And griefs come trooping fast. 
 But first and foremost of them all, 
 
 Stand forth in bold relief 
 The days when you and I went forth 
 
 To battle — these are chief. 
 
 We hear the rattle of the drum. 
 
 The bugles lively play. 
 The tiresome march, the dusty roads. 
 
 The halt at close of day; 
 The gleaming camp fires' ruddy glow. 
 
 The story, jest and song. 
 And then the hours of blessed sleep 
 
 That made the heart grow strong. 
 
 The reveille at break of day. 
 
 The hurrying to and fro. 
 The long roll with its grewsome call 
 
 As facing death we go 
 Into the storm of leaden hail. 
 
 Of screeching shot and shell. 
 To realize what Sherman said 
 
 That war — " Why war is hell ! " 
 
32 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 
 
 The hopes and fears that filled our hearts 
 
 As wavering lines were broke, 
 And straining eyes peered eagerly 
 
 To pierce the veil of smoke 
 That hid perchance the advancing line. 
 
 The reinforcements true. 
 That drove the exultant foemen back 
 
 Gave victory to the blue. 
 
 And then, alas! the morning roll 
 
 Along the shortened line — 
 The voices now that answer not 
 
 Until a power divine 
 Shall rouse them from their shallow trench 
 
 To hear the approving Lord, 
 " These for their God and Country died ! 
 
 And great is their reward." 
 
 All quiet along the Potomac now. 
 
 The mud-stained tents are down. 
 The fires are out, the drums are dumb — 
 
 Of war there is no sound: 
 But o'er the land that we preserved 
 
 Our flag still flies unfurled. 
 The benison of future years, 
 
 The glory of the world. 
 
 General Horatio C. King: The comparatively young gentleman 
 ■who sits upon the stage behind me had the misfortune to be born too 
 late to enter into the great struggle celebrated here to-day, but I 
 am sure that the fighting qualities he has manifested since he became 
 Governor would have put him in the fore front of the battle. He is 
 the honored Governor of the Empire State, and men of different 
 political faith are lending him their loyal assistance in the splendid 
 vv^ork he is doing of "making good!" It is with great pleasure I 
 now present Governor William Sulzer. 
 
ADDRESS OF GOVERNOR SULZER 
 
 My Friends: 
 
 WE meet on the far-famed field of Gettysburg, dedicated to the 
 freedom of man, consecrated to the perpetuity of a reunited 
 country; and memorable forever in the illustrious pages of 
 oiu" glorious history. 
 
 No pen, no tongue, no brush, can ever picture or describe the 
 scene enacted on this field. 
 
 Gettysburg is fame's eternal camping ground — an inspiration 
 and a shrine — the epic poem of the Union sacred to the heroic men 
 living and dead, whose struggle here made Gettysbiu"g immortal, 
 and hallowed this ground for all the centuries yet to come. 
 
 All honor and all glory to the men, from upland and from lowland, 
 that met here to do or die for Country. Their fame is secure. Their 
 memory will endure. Their deeds shall never be forgotten. 
 
 Fifty years ago, great captains, with their men in blue and gray — 
 the bravest of the brave, from North and South, that ever faced a 
 foe — struggled here and there across this plain, amid the roar of 
 cannon, for three long weary days, in the mightiest contest that ever 
 shook our land; and in that clash of steel, and by the trial of battle, 
 it was decided then and there, that all men must be free, and that 
 the Republic of the Fathers shall not perish from the earth. 
 
 Half a century has come and gone since that terrible conflict, 
 but the intervening j^ears have only added greater splendor to the 
 sacrifice sublime, and a grander glory to the victory triumphant. 
 
 History tells us truly that on this field was fought the decisive 
 battle of the war between the States; that it was here the flood tide 
 of the fate of the Union — of all that we are, and all that we hope to 
 be — turned toward Old Glory ; that it was here the triumph of the 
 Stars and Stripes over the Stars and Bars saved from dissolution the 
 greatest Republic the sun of noon has ever seen; and that the valor, 
 
 [33J. 
 
34 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 
 
 and the heroism, and the devotion and the chivalry here displayed, 
 by the men of Lee and the men of Meade, will live throughout the 
 years of time — the heritage of all — in the song and story of 
 America. 
 
 General Horatio C. King: There is scarcely anyone in this 
 audience who has not heard of Plymouth Church in Brooklyn and 
 of its marvelous master mind, the late Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, 
 who passed over to the great majority twenty-six years ago. The 
 service rendered by that Church and by that Clergyman, during the 
 four years of the war, were most important. Particularly so were 
 the services of Mr. Beecher in that herculean effort which prevented 
 the recognition by Great Britain and France of the Southern Con- 
 federacy. Recognition would have greatly prolonged the war and 
 might have compassed our defeat. Mr. Beecher was rewarded by 
 President Lincoln, who designated him to speak at the flag raising on 
 Fort Sumter at the close of the war. We have a noble Church and a 
 very devoted people. Perhaps I can describe their devotion no better 
 than by citing a single instance of an elderly lady who was very 
 exact in respect to all the church services. She and her daughter 
 kept a little home together. One evening after the dinner dishes were 
 cleared away, the lady put on her things to go to Church. The 
 daughter, knowing her mother's methodical ways, exclaimed, 
 " Mother! mother! aren't you going to wash the dishes? " " No, no," 
 
 she replied, " to with the dishes, I'm going to prayer meeting." 
 
 This devotion is universal with us still. 
 
 I now take the greatest pleasiu^e in presenting to you a most 
 worthy successor of Mr. Beecher, the Reverend Newell Dwight Hillis, 
 D. D., Pastor of Plymouth Church, Brooklyn. 
 
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ADDRESS OF REV. NEWELL DWIGHT 
 HILLIS, D. D., 
 
 Pastor, Plymouth Church, Brooklyn, N. Y. 
 
 GREAT battles, like great mountains, demand distance and 
 perspective. Travelers never understand the Alps until they 
 look back from Italy. Now that fifty years have passed since 
 the battle of Gettysburg, the veterans of the Army of the Potomac 
 have traveled far enough away to understand the place of their battle 
 in the history of liberty. Time has cleared the sun of clouds. 
 Students have had leisure to compare the Civil War with other great 
 conflicts, and Gettysburg with other decisive battles. Foreigners 
 being the judges, Gettysburg marks the turning point in history. 
 The historian Mommsen was not an American, but a German, and 
 Mommsen thinks the Civil War was the greatest conflict in the annals 
 of time. Green was not an American, but an Englishman, and John 
 Richard Green thinks Gettysbm'g the most momentous battle in 
 history. The dimensions of the war stir a note of wonder. The 
 battlefield was a thousand miles in length; there were 2,000,000 men 
 in arms. More than 2,200 battles were fought; every hillside of the 
 South was billowy with the country's dead ; an army of crippled heroes 
 came home; another army of widows and orphans went comfortless 
 through the land. In retrospect we see that the era of the Civil War 
 was the heroic era in our country. It was an era of intellectual giants 
 and moral heroes. It was the era of our greatest statesmen — 
 Webster and Calhoun ; it was the era of our greatest soldiers — 
 Grant and Sherman, Sheridan, Thomas and Meade; Lee and " Stone- 
 wall " Jackson. It was the era of our greatest orators — Wendell 
 Phillips and Henry Ward Beecher ; of our greatest authors — Emer- 
 son and Whittier, Longfellow and Lowell ; of our greatest editors — 
 Raymond and Greeley. 
 
 It was the era of our greatest agitators — Garrison and Lovejoj^ 
 and of our greatest President — the martyred Lincoln. The spectacle 
 
 [35] 
 
36 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 
 
 is so wonderful that the historian must make room for an Infinite 
 God to enter the earthly scene. 
 
 The history of wars and battles is of two kinds — narrative 
 history and philosophic history. The time for the narrative historian 
 has passed by, and the time for the philosophic historian has fully 
 come. Thoughtful men distinguish between the occasion of war and 
 the cause of the conflict. The occasion of an explosion is a spark, 
 but the cause is in the powder and the air. The occasion of the 
 Revolution was a ship laden with tea, sailing into Boston Harbor; 
 the cause was the determination of the Colonists to achieve self- 
 government. The occasion of the Rebellion was slavery, but the 
 cause of the war was the attempt to overthrow a government con- 
 ceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are 
 free and equal. Striking, indeed, was the influence of slavery upon 
 the life and thought of the great South. By a singular coincidence, 
 the year 1620 brought the Mayflower and the spirit of liberty to 
 Plymouth Rock, and the same month brought the slaveship to James- 
 town, Va. It was as if the morning star of hope appeared in the 
 sky at the self-same time that the orb of night, of blackness and death 
 stood on the horizon. From the beginning the institutions and the 
 climate of the North were unfriendly to slavery. The Puritans be- 
 lieved that the rewards of free labor were vastly in excess of the 
 profits derived from slave labor. In some of the Northern colonies 
 slavery died a natural death from inanition; in others, laws were 
 passed freeing all slaves at the end of ten years. But on account 
 of the excessive heat of the South, white men were not equal to pro- 
 tracted labor under the August sun. The crops of the South were 
 cotton, tobacco and indigo, and white men were not suited to their 
 cultivation. Meanwhile, because of her wars, England needed all 
 her own men at home, and in vain the Southern colonies advertized in 
 London for English labor. Then it was that slave ships were fitted 
 out, and black men were brought from Africa to supply the Southern 
 need. At first the profits were small, but it was soon discovered that 
 the kidnapping and selling of slaves was a most lucrative business. 
 
BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 37 
 
 Just as the gold mines of California and Australia became the basis 
 of name and fortune to certain English families, so the slave trade 
 furnished the wealth of estates and titles in the seventeenth century. 
 
 In 1713, Queen Anne entered into a treaty with Portugal and 
 Spain for a monopoly of the slave traffic. This treaty provided that 
 Portugal should have exclusive right of assembling the slave gangs 
 in the interior ; that Spain should have the wholesaler's right of pur- 
 chasing at the sea coast, while English ships were to have the sole 
 right of carrying the slaves to the colonies. Between the year 1620 
 and 1820, it is believed that two million slaves were transported from 
 Africa to the Southern seaports, of whom two hundred and fifty 
 thousand died upon the voyage. The time came when the South 
 revolted from the traffic. Virginia passed a law fixing a time when 
 no slave ships would be allowed to land. But the profits of the Crown 
 were so large as to appeal to the avarice and cupidity of King George. 
 The English King sent a warship to the mouth of the James and 
 threatened Virginia with bombardment if the law was not rescinded. 
 
 But despite the rewards of slavery, the anti-slavery sentiments 
 steadily grew stronger all over the South. When the first abolition 
 meeting was held in Baltimore, in 1832, eighty-five Southern abolition 
 societies sent delegates. It was a Southerner, also, Thomas Jefferson, 
 who made the strongest protest against slavery at the time of the 
 Declaration of Independence. " When I remember the justice of 
 God, I tremble for my country when I think of slavery," said the 
 great Virginian. In the conflict the anti-slavery men were outvoted, 
 and the provision excluding slavery from the country was lost in 1789 
 by a single vote. But from the very beginning liberty and slavery 
 were two opposing spirits. They fought in their infancy, quarreled 
 in their youth, and in their manhood, in 1861, entered upon a death 
 grapple. From the beginning it was certain that the house divided 
 against itself could not stand. That either liberty would drive slavery 
 into the Gulf and drown it, or slavery would drive liberty into the 
 Great Lakes and drown freedom. The country had to be all one 
 thing, or all the other. 
 
38 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 
 
 For two hundred and ten years liberty and slavery dwelt together 
 in the national house, but little by little the South came to believe 
 that slave labor was peculiarly fitted to their intense heat of the 
 summer and to the cotton and tobacco which they cultivated. Slowly, 
 also, the Northern merchants and manufacturers came to believe that 
 the slave labor starved manufacturing, because the slave was a poor 
 buyer while the free laborer, winning a high wage through his intel- 
 ligence, was a good buyer of tools, books, arts, comforts, conveniences. 
 The South produced raw cotton, and sold that cotton in England, and 
 received in return manufactured goods, and the South, therefore, 
 inclined, toward free trade. The North held that wealth was not in 
 raw material, but in the amount of intelligence put into cotton, wool, 
 brass and steel, and, therefore, the North was increasingly interested 
 in manufacturing and in the development of intelligent working men. 
 From the beginning, therefore, it was inevitable that the two theories 
 should come into collision. 
 
 The men who set the battle in array were Webster and Calhoun. 
 Webster said, " The Union is one and inseparable, and each State 
 subordinate." Calhoun answered, " The State is sovereign and 
 supreme, and the National Government secondary." Webster be- 
 lieved that the Union was like the sun in the sky, and each State was 
 a planet, revolving around the central orb. Calhoun held that each 
 State was a planet, revolving in any orbit that suited it, and always 
 free to break away from the other planets. Webster's favorite illus- 
 tration was that of the human body. The whole body is supreme, 
 and the hand and foot are subordinate members. Calhoun answered 
 that if South Carolina was the hand or the foot, it had the right to 
 cut itself away and leave the body to go its own way. For thirty 
 years the discussion raged in Congress between Webster and Calhoun 
 and Hayne. 
 
 Little by little the discussion was transferred from the Senate 
 Chamber to the lecture platform and the pulpit. Finally slavery 
 became the subject of universal discussion at the fireside, in the school- 
 room and on the street car and in the daily press. Agitators went 
 
BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 39 
 
 up and down the land inspiring in the people the love of liberty; 
 editors began to sow the land with the good seed of freedom and love 
 of the Union. The North was turned into one vast debating society. 
 At length the voices became loud and angry. Growing more bitter, 
 the slavery men murdered Love joy in Alton, 111. Wendell Phillips 
 became a voice for liberty in Faneuil Hall; Beecher sold the slave 
 girl from Plymouth pulpit. Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote her 
 " Uncle Tom's Cabin." Charles Svminer answered the murderous 
 attack of Brooks with the argument that liberty was universal and 
 slavery sectional. John Brown dropped a spark in the powder maga- 
 zine at Harper's Ferry. Then Beauregard fired on the flag at Fort 
 Sumter. In a moment the whole North was aflame, and the move- 
 ment for the Union and Liberty swept like a prairie fire across the 
 North. In that hour the discussion between Webster and Calhoun 
 was submitted to the arbitrament of war. At Bull Run Calhoun's 
 argument was in the ascendancy. At Gettysburg Webster's plea that 
 the Union was one and inseparable seemed the stronger. At Ap- 
 pomattox the discussion was concluded. Then Grant and Lee, 
 representing the North and the South, wrote with a sword dipped in 
 blood their approval of Webster's argvmient that the Union was one 
 and inseparable, and that " a government conceived in liberty and 
 dedicated to the proposition that all men were free and equal, shall 
 never perish from the earth." 
 
 In retrospect, therefore, we see that the occasion of the war was 
 slavery, but the cause of the war was the love of the Union. Slavery 
 was a cancer that had fixed itself upon the vitals of the South, and 
 God anointed the soldier to be the surgeon to cut away the deadly 
 disease, that liberty might recover her youth and beauty. 
 
 There are certain critical moments in history that are big with 
 destiny. Perilous hours come to the individual, the city and nation, 
 when everything hangs upon a single thread. That was a critical 
 moment for Athens when her sons met the Persians at Marathon. 
 That was a critical moment for civilization when Charles Martel met 
 
40 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 
 
 the Saracen with his polygamy and brute force. That was a critical 
 moment for democracy when Wellington met the imperialism of 
 Napoleon at Waterloo. That was a critical moment for the colonies 
 when Washington set forth from Valley Forge. Big with destiny 
 also was that hour when Lee set the battle in array at Gettysburg. 
 For two years the South had been uniformly victorious. The Army 
 of Virginia had won a series of brilliant victories. The South had 
 come to feel that Lee was invincible — the man of destiny — whose 
 star could not be eclipsed. 
 
 The news that Lee had invaded Pennsylvania sent a thrill of 
 terror across the land. On Sunday, the citizens of Carlisle and Har^ 
 risburg left the churches to go forth and throw up breastworks; 
 Philadelphia and New York were overtaken by panic. And then it 
 was that Meade went up against Lee and his victorious host. It was 
 an hour of destiny. Abraham Lincoln, rising from his knees in Wash- 
 ington, saw an Invisible Figure enter his battle scene and take 
 charge of the hosts. It was as if the Infinite God had said to the 
 invading wave, fretted with fire as it rolled North: " Here stay thy 
 proud waves ; thus far and no further ! " From that moment the 
 cause of secession ebbed away like a receding tide. Gettysburg broke 
 the spell of Lee over the army of the South. Southern people began 
 to lose faith in their cause. 
 
 Contrariwise, Gettysburg put new strength into the Northern 
 soldier's arm, encouraged the banker to take the war bonds and fired 
 the hearts of the farmers and the women and the workingmen, keep- 
 ing the stuff at home that they might support the Soldier boy at the 
 front. And it is not too much to say that it was Gettysburg that 
 enabled the North to win the victory at Appomattox. 
 
 But more striking still the influence of Gettysburg upon the 
 attitude of England toward the North. From the very beginning of 
 the war, the mother land was on the side of the South and slavery. 
 The leaders of Parliament, like Gladstone and Salisbury, had invested 
 in Southern bonds. Both wanted the South to succeed, that they 
 might obtain their interest and conserve the capital. The English 
 
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 patrician who believed in aristocratic government did not want the 
 Repubhc and democratic institutions to succeed. Lord Macaulay had 
 prophesied the speedy smashup of the RepubUc. Carlyle scoffed at 
 us, saying that our declaration of independence made the vote of 
 Judas equal to the vote of Jesus. It seems strange that Carlyle could 
 have said that the Civil War was simply the burning out of a dirty 
 chimney ! 
 
 But if the believers in monarchy wanted the Union to go to pieces, 
 through the success of the South, the poor people of England wished 
 the South to succeed for very different reasons. Several millions 
 of people in England live on the cotton industry. Great cities like 
 Manchester bought their raw cotton in the South, manufactured it 
 at home, and sold the cloth in Asia. The English spinners had reached 
 the point of starvation — their bread, crusts; their raiment, rags; 
 their days, want, and their nights, tears. Naturally these working 
 people were on the side of liberty, but starvation fronted them, and 
 the only hope of obtaining cotton and work was in the victory of the 
 South. "When, therefore, the news of Gettysburg reached England, 
 Henry Ward Beecher, traveling abroad in search of health, saw that 
 the psychological moment had come. Taking advantage of Gettys- 
 burg, he began a nine days' oration, with its introduction at Man- 
 chester, its first argument at Glasgow, its second in Edinburgh, its 
 third in Liverpool and its peroration in London. Statesmen and 
 scholars who were judges of oratory tell us that the world has heard 
 no such eloquence since the day when young Demosthenes pleaded the 
 cause of the Republic against Philip of Macedon. The London Times 
 reported his opening speech in full, but published an editorial full 
 of bitterness against the North, full of sympathy for slavery and 
 secession and the South. Such was the excitement of the English 
 people that the London Times found it necessary to publish in full 
 Beecher's remaining speeches. 
 
 When nine days had passed, the English nation experienced a 
 revulsion of sentiment. Queen Victoria sent for her Prime Minister. 
 
42 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 
 
 A messenger was sent to Paris. George W. Smalley, the repre- 
 sentative of the London Times, is responsible for the statement that 
 England and France had entered into a secret compact to recognize 
 the South the following January, and that now the decision was 
 reversed. From that hour the North had no occasion to criticise 
 the attitude of England. Abraham Lincoln asked Henry Ward 
 Beecher to lift the flag at Fort Sumter, saying that but for Beecher's 
 speeches in England there might have been no flag to raise. Let 
 us be just. One consideration remains to be stated. We must 
 remember that but for Gettysburg*there would have been no speeches 
 by Beecher in England. It was the Army of the Potomac that 
 spoke through Beecher's voice, and it was the thunder of victory 
 after Pickett's charge that compelled England and France to stop, 
 and retrace their steps. For in the hour of struggle and of victory, 
 at high-water mark, it was decreed that France and England would 
 never recognize the South, but would line themselves up with liberty 
 and the Union. 
 
 Wonderful as was the influence of Gettysburg upon the cause 
 of liberty and the Union, its influence upon eloquence and literature 
 has not been less striking. It is a singular fact that the world's 
 examples of supreme eloquence are all related to battles. Our 
 country holds only four examples of supreme eloquence — Patrick 
 Henry at Williamsburg, Wendell Phillips at Faneuil Hall, Henry 
 Ward Beecher in England, and Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg. 
 Marathon gave us Pericles' oration, the sedition of Catiline gave 
 us the oration of Cicero, the struggle in India gave us Burke's 
 indictment of Warren Hastings, and the collision between Union 
 and Secession gave us Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg. In rank- 
 ing the great men of history, Bismarck once said there are five 
 supreme statesmen in all times. Strangely enough, it took all the 
 other nations of the world 5,000 years to produce three of these 
 leaders, while the young Republic, in 100 years, produced the other 
 two — Washington and Lincoln. Great as has been the influence 
 
BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 43 
 
 of the battle of Gettysburg it may be doubted whether in the long 
 run the influence of Abraham Lincoln's speech will not prove an 
 equally effective force upon democracy and liberty, and the destiny 
 of the human race. The libraries hold no story so sublime and 
 pathetic as the story of Lincoln. Be the reasons what they may, 
 when the Ruler of Nations wishes to secure a forward movement 
 of society, he has passed by the King's palace in favor of the poor 
 man's house. When God wished a father for the bondsman. He 
 went to the log cabin in Kentucky. Calling to his side heaven's 
 favorite angel — the angel of suffering — He laid the poor man's 
 child in the arms of the angel — and whispering " Oh, sorrow, thou 
 best loved child of heaven and earth, take thou this child and rear 
 him for me, and make him great. Plant his path thick with thorns, 
 cut his little feet with sharp rocks, load his young back with heavy 
 burdens, pull out of his arms everything that he loves, break the heart 
 a thousand times, like a box of alabaster ointment, and when he 
 is strong by burden-bearing, sympathetic through suffering to the 
 sigh of any black child ■ — when every footprint up the Hills of 
 Difficulty has been made crimson with his blood, bring him back to 
 the throne, and with him shall be emancipated 3,000,000 slaves!" 
 That is how God made Abraham Lincoln to be the greatest man 
 in the history of the Republic. 
 
 Our students to-day, in American Colleges, translate the orations 
 of Demosthenes against King Philip and of Cicero against 
 Catiline. Five thousand years from now, in Chinese universities, 
 these students of the future may translate some oration out of 
 English literature, but the oration will not be by Burke or Fox — 
 by Gladstone or John Bright. That which the Chinese student will 
 translate into his mother tongue will be the oration of Abraham 
 Lincoln at Gettysburg. Wonderful in its simplicity, purity and 
 sunniness of style, it is wonderful also because of the nxmiber of 
 mother ideas of liberty that it contains. Edward Everett's oration, 
 three hours long, was a bushel of diamonds carefully polished. 
 
44 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 
 
 Abraham Lincoln's ten-minute speech was a handful of seed corn 
 that has sown the world with the harvest of libertJ^ Gettysburg, 
 therefore, broke the power of Secession, and freed the slaves on 
 the one hand. But the greatest thing about the battle of Gettj^s- 
 burg is the fact that it made possible the speech of Abraham Lincoln, 
 that has changed the history of liberty for all time to come. 
 
 Let us now make a large place for the indirect influence of 
 Gettysburg upon the free institutions of other lands. Certainly 
 the time has come when all the nations of the world are going to 
 school to the young republic. One hundred years ago, Sydney 
 Smith scoffed at us, asking derisivelj'', " Who reads an American 
 book? " Now has come a time when England has a commission 
 of educators studying our free high school system. Think of 
 John Milton's country going to school in educational democracy to 
 this young republic! Rome is 2,500 years old, but the Eternal 
 City has sent its commission to study the liberty of this new land. 
 Now you have Rome — Eternal Rome — sitting at the feet of the 
 republic to learn. But yesterday ours was the only republic, arising 
 like a new star upon the western horizon. Then France turned 
 her gaze toward the new planet, and became herself a democracy. 
 Now Switzerland is a republic. Then Portugal threw off her 
 swaddling clothes, and came out of the tomb. To all intents and 
 purposes Holland and Denmark are self-governing. Looking 
 toward the Southern Cross, lo — all the govermnents of South 
 America are republics. And last February, postponing their action 
 until the birthday of Abraham Lincoln, four hundred millions of 
 people in China cabled the capitals of civilized nations, saying that 
 one-fourth of the human race had given up autocracy, and gone over 
 to self-government, under the influence of the republic. The great 
 watchwords for which Abraham Lincoln stood are Liberty, Equality, 
 Opportunity, Intelligence, and Integrity. Liberty — that means 
 political democracy, and every youth a patriot toward his country. 
 Equality — that means no special privileges to elect persons or 
 
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BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 45 
 
 classes, but to every youth the right to climb as high as his industry 
 and ability will permit. Opportunity — all the barriers in the high- 
 ways that lead to the schoolhouse, to land, office and honor must 
 be opened to the washerwoman's child not less than to the banker's 
 son. Integrity — our institutions are founded upon them, obedience 
 to law and the path of law is the path to liberty. 
 
 Be the reasons what they may, there is that in the industrial, 
 intellectual and political progress and good fortune of our people 
 that has captured the imagination of foreign lands. Your foreign 
 despatches assert that the Emperor William of Germany, in his 
 address made but yesterday to his people, affirmed his belief that 
 within three generations every country in Europe would have given 
 up autocracy, government by one; autocracy, the government by 
 the few; to go over to democracy, the government by the many; and 
 to elect their own rulers and presidents under the influence of this 
 repubhc. 
 
 But the success of this republic and the Union was assured at 
 Gettysburg. The defeat of the Union at high-water mark would 
 have been the greatest disaster that ever overtook the children of 
 men, and the victory at Gettysburg, safeguarding the Union, made 
 America the educator of all foreign lands, by making it certain that 
 a government conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition 
 that all men are created free and equal, can permanently endure. 
 
 Comrades and veterans of the Army of Virginia and the Army 
 of the Potomac: 
 
 For all thoughtful men the great days in the history of our 
 country are that first Independence Day, when the bell rang in 
 Independence Hall in Philadelphia, and that other July day, fifty 
 years ago, when the Infinite God entered the earthly scene and chose 
 both for the North and for the South, and commanded the waves 
 of invasion to stay at high-water mark. But scarcely less signifi- 
 cant this day and this hour! For it is to the minute just fifty years 
 ago by the stroke of the clock since Pickett's charge came to an end. 
 
46 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 
 
 Out of sixteen thousand men, three hundred leaped over the stone 
 wall and fell upon the bayonets and the pistols of the Union soldiers, 
 waiting to welcome them to their graves. Busied with many things, 
 unfortunately, the ninety-five millions of our people do not to-day 
 understand the full significance of this Reunion. Never before in 
 the world's history have two armies that stood over against each 
 other like two castles with cannon shotted to the muzzles, met in 
 friendship, good will, and with a common enthusiasm for the same 
 flag — when only fifty simimers and winters have intervened. 
 
 Now has come a time when we are not two sections, but one 
 nation. Should Northern soldiers die in this hovu", until there was 
 not one man left who struggled here, you Union men could close 
 your eyes in happiness and peace, knowing for a certainty that 
 every interest dear to this coimtry and our flag is safe in the hands 
 of the Army of Virginia, and the sons and the daughters of the 
 Old Confederate soldiers. They, too, hate slavery with a bitter 
 hatred. They, too, love the Union and the flag with an immeasur- 
 able love. If every Northern boy plays false in generations to come. 
 Southern boys will stand true, for they have found out how slavery 
 devastates and saps the industrial life of a people, and how liberty 
 and union feed the vital forces of manhood. Gone, all the barriers 
 that once separated! The last fire of hatred has died out into cold 
 ashes. Blood has been red again, going to the roots that feed the 
 blossoms of the tree of liberty. Now the whole nation is proud — 
 proud of the men in gray and the men of blue alike! Though you 
 old veterans live a thousand years, you shall never witness another 
 day like this, nor another scene so significant and so glorious. 
 To-day the whole nation is turned into a vast whispering gallery, 
 and there is but one voice that speaks — the voice of liberty. 
 
 Ninety-five millions of folk are we, but the nation has but one 
 heart — and that heart is very proud. This pilgrim host is vast and 
 immeasurable, but it has only one thought — that the land is one, 
 and that the flag waves at the head of the Southern and of the 
 
BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 47 
 
 Northern columns alike. It was said of that old hero, that going 
 down into the river of death, he came up on the other side, and that 
 all the hosts came out with trumpets and banners to meet him and 
 not until you, scarred veterans, receive your final welcome and make 
 your great entrance into the City Beautiful, will you know a day 
 like this. In this hour, the pathos of your years is upon the land. 
 Gone, your youth ^nd your beauty! After four years in the army, 
 multitudes of you came forth, shot through and through, invalided, 
 broken forever. And for fifty years your life has been one long 
 Gethsemane, one black Via Dolorosa, when every day the Angel 
 of Success offered a cup overflowing with bitterness. Now your 
 long martyrdom is nearly over. Some of you say that you are old 
 and broken. How can a soldier be old who has brought liberty — 
 eternally young, eternally beautiful, into being? How can a veteran 
 be poor who has achieved eternal riches of freedom for all the people 
 of the earth? How can an old soldier be obscure when he is lifted 
 up and made glorious in the presence of the assembled millions of 
 his native land? Already, for a multitude, the signals are hanged 
 out from the battlements of heaven. Here you shall " fold your tents 
 and silently steal away." After all the thunder of Life's battle you 
 shall encamp in the Promised Land, and hang out your signals of 
 victory. But, going in, you shall not be unknown or unwaited for. 
 Will not your companions in arms stand expectant? Will not the 
 patriots, the heroes and the martyrs, who struggled at Marathon, 
 who bled at Marston Moor, who fell at Valley Forge, or struggled 
 unto death at Gettysburg, stand waiting to receive you? You have 
 earned a right to come in, to be greeted by the great soldiers, Grant 
 and Lee; by the orators who pleaded for liberty, by the statesmen 
 who struggled for law ; by the heroes who died that the Union might 
 live, and by the Great Emancipator, the Martyred President! And 
 when the last roll call is heard, and the last page of this chapter 
 of liberty is written, it shall be said, " I saw an old soldier come up 
 out of the Valley and Shadow, and all the heroes came forth to 
 
48 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 
 
 meet and greet him, and with trumpets and banners they brought 
 him home! " 
 
 This masterly address was frequently interrupted with en- 
 thusiastic applause. At its close General King said that such a 
 discourse called for something more than a mere perfunctory vote 
 of thanks and suggested that its appreciation be manifested by a 
 rising vote. The vast audience arose and made the great tent ring 
 with their resounding cheers. 
 
 All then joined in singing " My Country, 'tis of Thee." 
 
 General King: The blending of the Blue and the Gray is the 
 distinctive and most beautiful feature of this great occasion. Many 
 years ago at a Reunion of the Society of the Army of the Potomac 
 in Burlington, Vt., a distinguished orator, Luther B. Marsh, 
 epitomized this commingling in an exquisite illustration which I 
 quote : 
 
 " From the Helvetian Alps there comes a stream, which, in its progress of 
 a few hundred miles, leaps down four thousand feet — during its turbulent 
 descent beating its waters into foam - — - enters and maintains its current through 
 the length of the Geneva Lake, and thence emerges a river of pure and 
 heavenly blue. From an opposite direction, down through the valley of the 
 Chamouni, come the gray waters of another stream. After overcoming many 
 obstructions, through valley and wood, through rock and gorge, over cascade 
 and cataract, to maintain an independent career, these rivers approach each 
 other near the City of Geneva ; and, as they come in sight, lo ! the Rhone and 
 the Arve — the Blue and the Gray — rush to each other's arms ; and ere they 
 completely blend, you may notice now a tinge of gray and now a gleam of blue, 
 yet soon their confluent floods, ' like kindred drops are mingled into one ' ; and 
 thenceforth these mountain torrents, with united force, with single will, with 
 undistinguishable characteristics, and a common destiny, pursue their harmoni- 
 ous course, till they become one with the azure sea, while the everlasting dome 
 gives back its corresponding blue." 
 
 Here to-day is exemplified the perfection of that blending in the 
 presence of our Southern Brethren, in Confederate gray, one of 
 whom, my beloved friend of many years, Major John H. Leathers, 
 of Louisville, Ky., former Sergeant-Major of the Second Virginia 
 Infantry, " Stonewall " Brigade, and who was wounded in this 
 battle of Gettysburg, will now address you. 
 
ADDRESS BY MAJOR JOHN H. LEATHERS, 
 
 FORMER SERGEANT-MAJOR, SECOND VIRGINIA INFANTRY, 
 "STONEWALL" BRIGADE, C. S. A. 
 
 I FEEL greatly honored at being invited to take part in the 
 exercises of this notable occasion and on this notable day in 
 American history. 
 Fifty years ago I was here as a mere boy, as you were who 
 participated in this battle, trying to fill my little place in one of 
 the bloodiest conflicts of modern times. I am spared, as you are, 
 to be here again to-day after the lapse of fifty years. All of us 
 now are nearing the end of Life's pilgrimage, with a heart full of 
 gratitude to the Giver of all good for health and length of days 
 and the manifold blessings that have crowned the lives of both the 
 Blue and the Gray who have survived to this time and are here 
 to-day, not as enemies as fifty years ago, but to clasp hands as 
 comrades and friends. 
 
 Orators and statesmen and historians have eloquently told to the 
 world the glory and renown both armies achieved on the bloody 
 field of Gettysburg, and I shall not attempt to add anything to 
 what has been said and written. 
 
 Someone has said that seventy years should be called the ideal 
 age of man; that at that age he realizes that he has about accom- 
 plished his life's work and the romance and the fallacies of youth 
 have all vanished and he can review the past philosophically and 
 await the future with confidence and composure. 
 
 All the bitterness of the war has gone with the flight of years. 
 We stand here to-day glorying in one common flag — the flag of 
 a reunited country. We are, as a nation, to-day stronger and 
 greater than ever before — stronger and greater because fifty years 
 ago great issues were settled that had to be met. We can all of 
 us now, with one heart and with one voice, appropriate to ourselves 
 the immortal words uttered here on this spot fifty years ago, that 
 
 [49] 
 
50 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 
 
 "this is a government of the people, by the people and for the 
 people," and that we, the survivors, both the Blue and the Gray, 
 and our children and children's children will see to it that our country 
 shall grow greater and stronger as time goes on. 
 
 We cannot forget the memories of the past — nobody asks us 
 to do that, or the cause for which we fought and bled and so many 
 of our comrades died. These memories are part of our lives, but 
 it does not take away from us the love of our common country or 
 the glory and the valor of American manhood, no matter on which 
 side it was displayed. We men of the South did the very best we 
 knew how, and after the lapse of half a century we have no repinings 
 or regrets at what the call of duty, as we believed it to be, bade us 
 dare and do. 
 
 Half a century changes the point of view. In 1861 we could 
 not look forward, but in 1913 we can look backward. Nobody need 
 now discuss the past. The men of the Confederacy have their faces 
 turned toward the future. One man in every three who shouldered 
 his gun and went forth to battle for the independence of the South 
 died within four years. It was a dreadful tribute that was demanded 
 from our people in the great war, and we paid it without a murmur, 
 because we felt that we were battling for a great principle. We 
 believed we were right. That was cause enough to call for the best 
 that freemen could give. We gave all we had. 
 
 There need be no uneasiness as to the future. The sons of the 
 North and the sons of the South hereafter will stand together pro- 
 tecting whenever and wherever necessary the flag of our country and 
 our glorious institutions. 
 
 General Horatio C. King: The next topic reminds me of a 
 story of General George H. Sharpe when provost marshal in the 
 Army of the Potomac. It was in the spring of 1865 when the two 
 armies confronted each other across the Rapidan. As the campaign 
 was near at hand, it was his duty to discover what reinforcements 
 had reached Lee's army. So he selected a bright looking Rhode 
 
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BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 51 
 
 Island private and after coaching him sent him to the picket line. 
 This was the coloquy which ensued: 
 
 " Hello Johnnie, good morning; what regiment do you belong to?" 
 " I belong to the 24th South Carolina; what regiment is yours? " 
 " I belong to the 137th Rhode Island," was the Yank's reply. 
 
 " You are a liar," yelled the Johnnie, " There aint a hundred 
 
 and thirty-seven men in the State! " 
 
 Many of our brilliant officers, at the close of the war, liked the 
 South so well that they migrated South, among them the Captain 
 of the First New York Independent Battery, which did such 
 magnificent work at the Angle in repelling Pickett's immortal 
 charge. No citizen of Kentucky is more respected, and he is beloved 
 by every member of the Society of the Army of the Potomac, of 
 which he is the honored President, Colonel Andrew Cowan, of 
 Louisville. 
 
ADDRESS OF COLONEL ANDREW COWAN, 
 
 FORMER CAPTAIN OF THE FIRST NEW YORK BATTERY AT 
 
 GETTYSBURG, AND COMMANDER OF THE ARTILLERY 
 
 BRIGADE OF THE SIXTH CORPS 
 
 THE laying of a cornerstone of a peace monument by Presi- 
 dent Wilson on July 4ith had been a part of the plans of 
 the Pennsylvania Commission for the celebration. The 
 arrangements made for the final meeting on July 4th were neces- 
 sarily canceled, and none of the many speakers of the three big 
 meetings had mentioned the proposed peace monument. 
 
 Colonel Cowan, before beginning to make his address on the 
 Army of the Potomac, spoke as follows: 
 
 ABOUT THE PEACE MONUMENT 
 
 Comrades: It is hard to control my emotions when I recall the 
 battlefield fifty years ago, almost at this moment. Pickett's brave 
 men were in full retreat and we were holding the ground in the 
 Angle and beyond to the Emmitsburg road, thickly strewn with their 
 dead and wounded and our own; we have listened to Major John 
 H. Leathers, of the " Stonewall " Brigade (who fought and bled 
 on this battlefield), while eloquently speaking to us of his proud 
 memories of the war; his undying love for the Southern flag which 
 led him in the battle; his warm expressions of love for our united 
 country, and devoted loyalty to the Stars and Stripes. He has 
 been my friend at our home city, Louisville, for many years. What 
 he said here endears him to us all and we proudly call him Comrade. 
 Each day, since I came here last week, my spirit has risen until I 
 feel that should I remain here another week it might soar away to 
 the Eternal Camping Ground. 
 
 Over there on the Cemetery Ridge an equestrian statue of General 
 George G. Meade, the great commander of the Army of the Potomac, 
 
 [521 
 
BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 53 
 
 stands facing Seminary Ridge. Does he look for Hill's 10,000 
 brave men and Pickett's 5,000 gallant Virginians to return? Or does 
 he look for the peerless leader of the Southern Army, General 
 Robert E. Lee? A splendid granite pedestal erected by Virginia is 
 now ready for the bronze statue of Lee, mounted on his famous 
 war horse. Traveler. Then the forms of the two great military 
 commanders will stand fronting each other, while time endures. 
 Behind us, a little way, at the clump of trees, is a monument which 
 marks the " high-tide " of war on this field. This grand celebration 
 of the fiftieth anniversary of the battle marks a high-tide of peace 
 between the North and the South, which shall never recede while 
 Americans love liberty and the Union. 
 
 The cornerstone of a monument to cost a million dollars will be 
 laid to-morrow, July 4th, on Put-in-Baj', in commemoration of 
 the centennial of Perry's victory over the British fieet on Lake 
 Erie, September 10th, 1813. Such monuments possess an educa- 
 tional value too great to be measured by their cost. Teach the 
 youth of America to believe that patriotism is dearer than life, and 
 there need be no fears for the future safety of our country. 
 
 Comrades, should not a Peace Monument be erected on this 
 battlefield of Gettysburg, in commemoration of this wonderful 
 reunion of more than 50,000 soldiers in blue and gray who fought 
 bravely and on so many other battlefields of the Civil War, for the 
 principles in which both sincerely believed? The survivors of that 
 terrible war, through which it was forever established that this 
 nation, under God, should not perish, returned to the paths of peace, 
 and wherever they went thej^ strove to heal the nation's wounds 
 and make the waste places fruitful again. They and their sons and 
 daughters have made the richest and freest land on earth ; and through 
 them, without regard to sectional lines, the spirit of peace and good 
 will between us has been growing sweeter and stronger. Shall we 
 not highly resolve to do all in our power to influence Congress and 
 the States to erect a Peace Monument which shall be grander than 
 
34 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 
 
 any now here, or which may be erected hereafter on this great 
 battlefield. 
 
 Comrades: When I was under twenty-two, and most of you 
 were younger, fifty years ago, these peaceful fields where our tents 
 are pitched were swept by shot and shell. More than two years 
 had passed since the first hostile shot was fired across the sparkling 
 waters of Charleston Bay. The war had begun. Someone had 
 said that his white cambric handkerchief would wipe up every drop 
 of blood that would be shed. Fort Sumter surrendered after a 
 gallant defense by Major Anderson and his United States regulars. 
 Our flag had fallen. 
 
 I remember how the news came to a little college town in North- 
 ern New York. There was no shouting then, but a solemn stillness 
 that could be felt was upon us. Two impetuous boys caught the 
 early morning stage and enlisted as soon as they reached their 
 homes. A whole company followed when the call for three-year 
 volunteers was made. Of the two boys, one fell mortally wounded 
 at Glendale, on the Peninsula, and died a few days later in Libby 
 Prison. He was a handsome lad, brave and sweet, and his name 
 was Deming — Captain Deming. The other boy was on the same 
 battlefield that night, almost within hail, commanding the First New 
 York Battery. If there happens to be one here who served at 
 Glendale on the Peninsula and on this great battlefield with the 
 Sixty-first New York Regiment, and its noble company of Hamil- 
 ton boys — Brodie was their Captain — I should like to clasp his 
 hand after the meeting adjourns. 
 
 I am to speak of the Army of the Potomac, with which I served 
 from early December, 1861, until the end of the war in 1865 (with 
 the Sixth Corps after it was formed). How often that army has 
 been the theme for writers and speakers of all sorts! ^Vho will 
 come afterwards to separate the wheat from the chaff, give credit 
 only where honor was due and sift the truth from romance and 
 exaggeration? I shall attempt to pass the career of the army in 
 
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BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 55 
 
 review before you, like a swiftly-moving panorama as one views it 
 from the window of a Pullman car at rest. They are fresh pictures 
 drawn mainly from memory. Those who served with me and observed 
 as keenly would recognize the truth. 
 
 The formation of the Army of the Potomac, following the first 
 Bull Run, began with the arrival of the first three year's regiments 
 in the early fall of 1861. Its camps, across the Potomac from the 
 Capitol, stretched far up and down the river. General George B. 
 McClellan was the commander of the army. It was customary, 
 indeed, to speak of the army as " McClellan's army," for he organized 
 and trained it. "All quiet along the Potomac " became a daily 
 message, and " Why don't the army move? " came the response 
 from home. The army moved in the early spring of 1862, by river 
 and bay to Fortress Monroe, where the little " Monitor " swung 
 at anchor in the Roads; the huge " Virginia," hidden behind Sewall's 
 Point beyond, and the wrecks of her victims, the wooden ships 
 " Congress " and " Cumberland," lay svmken close to the shore above 
 Newport News. 
 
 The campaign on the Peninsula had begun. " On to Rich- 
 mond I " urged us forward. General Magruder, behind breastworks 
 and forts at Yorktown, with about 20,000 men, halted our advance. 
 Yorktown must be taken by siege. Big siege guns were brought 
 up; engineers talked of parallels and approaches, and we burrowed 
 and shoveled and built them, line after line, until all was ready at 
 last for a grand assault. Magruder evacuated Yorktown that night, 
 leaving us the empty bag. 
 
 The First Vermont Brigade of Smith's Division had charged 
 across the Warwick River, days before, at Lee's Mills, driving the 
 enemy from the front line of breastworks, and holding them until 
 General Smith was ordered not to bring on a battle. The gallant 
 Green Mountain Boys returned under a murderous fire. If they 
 had been allowed to push forward, half a mile, the skeleton weak- 
 ness of Magruder's army would have been exposed that day. We 
 
56 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 
 
 knew it, when we crossed at the same place to follow Magruder. 
 Caution, in warfare, has often proved to be a poor captain. 
 
 The battle of Williamsburg began with a costly front attack on 
 Fort Magruder by Hooker; Hancock's reconnaisance in force the 
 second day exposed the enemy's unprotected left flank, Early's 
 attempt to cut off Hancock's Brigade and two New York Batteries, 
 of Smith's Division, Sixth Corps, was easily repulsed. The road was 
 again clear at daylight and we advanced up the Peninsula, until the 
 church spires of Richmond could be seen from trees on Hooker's front. 
 
 The Chickahominy River, a harmless-looking stream, divided our 
 army in the middle. Soon the rain began to fall in floods and the 
 little river suddenly overflowed its banks a mile, covering all the 
 bottom land and sweeping away the weak bridges. Then General 
 Johnson attacked McClellan. The battle of Fair Oaks, or Seven 
 Pines, was desperately fought, with the odds heavily against the 
 divided Army of the Potomac, but we held om- ground and the 
 victory was ours. The Army of the Potomac had shown that it 
 could fight. 
 
 But we lay down behind breastworks instead of pushing " on to 
 Richmond " while there was time. We lay there in poisonous swamps, 
 waiting for reinforcements, while thousands sickened and scores died 
 from fever and other camp diseases, caused by unwholesome water and 
 unsanitary conditions. Meanwhile, General Johnson, the commander 
 of the Army of Northern Virginia, who had been wounded, was 
 succeeded by General Robert E. Lee, the peerless gentleman and 
 accomplished soldier, destined to command the great Southern army 
 to the end. 
 
 General Lee assumed the offensive late in June and attacked 
 McClellan's right wing, on the left bank of the Chickahominy, first 
 calling " Stonewall " Jackson back from the Shenandoah to pounce 
 on Porter's right flank, while Hill's Corps assaulted in front. Our 
 left wing across the Chickahominy remained inert, instead of boldly 
 advancing "on to Richmond," only sending small reinforcements 
 across a bridge, at the right of Smith's Division, to Porter's relief. 
 
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BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG .57 
 
 Porter's Fifth Corps was beaten, after hard fighting, and withdrew 
 at night to the South bank of the river. 
 
 The retreat to the James River, or a " change of base," as we 
 called it, had commenced. We fought at Savage Station and AVhite 
 Oak Swamp, and at Glendale, or Charles City Crossroads, for Lee's 
 army pressed after us. We fought every day and ran all night. 
 Our last stand was made at Malvern Hill. There, with the Army 
 of the Potomac on the defensive and the Army of Northern Virginia 
 recklessly aggressive, was fought the fiercest battle on the Peninsula. 
 I saw a thrilling part of it, for no place could be found there for 
 the First New York Batterj^, which had arrived at sunrise from 
 Charles City Crossroads, so we stood waiting for orders in front of 
 the Malvern House. 
 
 The Southern army, bleeding at every vein, fought to the limit 
 of courage and endurance, until brave men could do no more. We 
 won a great victory that day and held the field in triimiph; but 
 the retreat was resumed, in black darkness and through floods of 
 rain with loud thunder and fierce lightning. 
 
 The scene that greeted us at Harrison's Landing, when we reached 
 there in the gloomy dawn, sick at heart and very weary, could hardly 
 be described. The broad plain was an ocean of mud, churned deep 
 by thousands of wagons which had preceded us. We plodded across 
 to the soaked fields and waited for the usual daily appearance of the 
 enemy, but they did not appear. Lee's army had gone beyond the 
 limit of himian endurance at Malvern Hill. Even " Stonewall " 
 Jackson slept. The Army of the Potomac was nearly demoralized, 
 but it had found itself. President Lincoln paid us a visit and was 
 received with great enthusiasm when he reviewed the army. General 
 McClellan's plan to transfer his army across the James and attack 
 Richmond from the South was not approved. 
 
 Presently, General Pope, with his " headquarters in the saddle," 
 flashed forth with an army from the defenses of Washington to 
 capture Richmond and destroy Lee's army, which the Army of the 
 Potomac had failed to accomplish. General Lee withdrew his army 
 
58 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 
 
 from McClellan's front to invade Maryland and had soon driven 
 Pope's army back to Manassas. 
 
 The Army of the Potomac marched down to Fortress Monroe 
 and embarked for Acquia Creek and Alexandria to rescue Pope 
 and protect Washington. Some of us thought that our movements 
 were strangely slow, but the water transportation was much mixed 
 and wholly inadequate. The Sixth Corps arrived at Centerville, via 
 Alexandria, only in time to check a second Bull Run stampede, which 
 had begun at sunset. Pope's campaign ended ingloriously. 
 
 General McClellan, who had been partially restored to favor 
 inarched his army through Washington to meet Lee's army in Mary- 
 land. The Sixth Corps marched down Pennsylvania Avenue late 
 that night and we sang and cheered when passing General McClellan's 
 headquarters. The old refrain rang out again: 
 
 " McClellan is the man. 
 Wherever he leads. 
 We'll show by our deeds 
 McClellan is the man." 
 
 Lee's advance corps was driven from the South Movmtain passes 
 and retired behind Antietam Creek to wait for the balance of the 
 army, which had captured Harper's Ferry, with its garrison and 
 stores, and was hurrying to rejoin Lee at Antietam. Every hour's 
 speedy march of McClellan's army meant victory for us. But the 
 Army of the Potomac was moved so cautiously that the great oppor- 
 tunity to win a decisive victory was lost. 
 
 The battle of Antietam was an indecisive battle, fought by only 
 a part of the Army of the Potomac, fatally slow to begin at the 
 left, though grandly fought at the center. The Army of Northern 
 Virginia, greatly inferior in numbers, withdrew across the Potomac, 
 after a two days' battle, claiming a victory. I believe that history 
 will record that the battle of Antietam was one of the greatest ever 
 fought by the Army of Northern Virginia. 
 
 The sunny and crisp days of September and October passed before 
 the Army of the Potomac crossed over into Virginia to resimie active 
 
BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 59 
 
 operations. Priceless weeks of settled weather with fine roads had 
 been lost. General McClellan was removed in November and Burn- 
 side succeeded to the command. McClellan took leave of the army 
 with a review of each corps in turn. The Sixth Corps was reviewed 
 near Acquia Creek. McClellan was still the idol of the Army, and 
 the enthusiasm which greeted him as he rode along the lines, in com- 
 pany with Burnside, was thrilling. General Burnside had a rough 
 road to travel. Unaccountable delay in bringing up the pontoons 
 prevented him from crossing the army to the south side of the 
 Rappahannock. 
 
 Meantime, Lee's Army had occupied the heights across the river 
 behind the town of Fredericksburg and far below it along the river. 
 At last, in December, Burnside was able to put the army over, and 
 promptly assailed Lee's already impregnable position. Assault after 
 assault upon Marye's Heights and a sunken road below a strong 
 stone wall, defended by Barksdale's Mississipians, was repulsed with 
 great slaughter. The courage of our men, fighting in the open and 
 dashing themselves again and again against that wall, was glorious, 
 but it was madness. The attacks made by the left grand division 
 below the town were feeble and ineffective. 
 
 The Army of the Potomac was badly beaten, but retreated across 
 the Rappahannock unopposed. Burnside next planned a winter 
 movement — to cross the Rappahannock several miles above Fred- 
 ericksburg and fall suddenly upon Lee's left flank. It was well con- 
 ceived and started auspiciously, but the fine weather on which we 
 relied suddenly changed; the bottom fell out of the roads and the 
 army stuck in the mud before any considerable force had reached 
 Banks Ford. Burnside believed that his generals had betrayed him 
 at Fredericksburg; but the " mud march " disaster was due to weather 
 conditions, which quickly made the Virginia roads impassable. The 
 winter passed in reorganization and recruiting the strength of the 
 army. Burnside's request to be relieved had been granted, and 
 General Joe Hooker succeeded to the command. 
 
60 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 
 
 The Chancellorsville campaign opened early in May, as soon as 
 the weather and roads would permit. For a brief time our hopes 
 of victory soared skyward. Hooker's published order led us to think 
 that the enemy must fight us on " our chosen ground or ignominously 
 flee." But we were sorely defeated, with heavy losses. The army 
 recrossed the river, in floods of rain, and marched back through rivers 
 of mud to the old camps opposite Fredericksburg. 
 
 Within a month the proud and victorious army of Northern Vir- 
 ginia abandoned Fredericksburg and moved into Maryland and 
 Pennsylvania. The Army of the Potomac followed. Meade suc- 
 ceeded Hooker, who had asked to be relieved of the command. Here, 
 at Gettysburg, the two armies met and the great battle of Gettysburg 
 was fought. Our army acted mainly on the defensive, but the Army 
 of Northern Virginia fought a fiercely offensive battle from the start 
 to finish. At the close of the third day they began retreating to 
 Virginia, defeated but defiant still. Gettysburg was the first decisive 
 victory won by the Army of the Potomac, which never again met 
 with a decisive defeat, although we came perilously near it the evening 
 of the second day's battle in the Wilderness. The Army of Northern 
 Virginia was commanded from bottom to top by the best manhood 
 of the South; and at the head was General Robert E. Lee, the South's 
 greatest captain. " The road to Appomattox was to be a long and 
 bloody one." 
 
 We had loved McClellan, we had liked Burnside, and we had 
 admired Hooker. Almost on the eve of this great battle of Gettys- 
 burg we were given a new commander, an officer almost unknown 
 beyond the Fifth Corps. General Meade won om- respect, and was 
 the Commander of the Army of the Potomac to the end. General 
 Grant was made commander of all the armies, and wisely chose to 
 make his headquarters with the Army of the Potomac, " far from 
 the madding crowd " at Washington, We received him coldly at first. 
 
 The campaign of 1864 was planned by Grant and began May 3rd. 
 The armies of the East and the West were thenceforth to act together 
 for a definite and common purpose. We were soon put across the 
 
THE GENERAL WADSWORTH MONUMENT ON SEMINARY RIDGE 
 Where battle began, July 1, 1S63 
 
BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 61 
 
 Rapidan and headed for Spotsylvania; but Lee attacked our flank 
 in the heart of the Wilderness, a dense forest growing out of tangled 
 thickets, a sinister and gloomy battlefield, and we were compelled to 
 halt and fight. Two days of terrific fighting followed. The Army 
 of Northern Virginia had never before fought with such desperation. 
 Longstreet's Corps in the forenoon of the second day (Longstreet 
 was a great soldier) was sweeping down the Brock Road with cyclone 
 speed and fury, smashing in our left flank and breaking line after 
 line, until he fell from his horse seriously wounded by the mistaken 
 fire of his own men; just as "Stonewall" Jackson was mortally 
 wounded at Chancellorsville. His victorious legions were halted then, 
 giving Hancock time to rally his disordered forces and form a new 
 line which could not be carried. Our left and center were then safe. 
 
 General Sedgwick, who held the right with the first and third 
 divisions of the Sixth Corps, was fiercely attacked about dusk by 
 Early's Division of Ewell's Corps. General John B. Gordon's 
 Brigade crept behind our flank in the thickets, captured two of our 
 generals, Seymour and Shaler, and fairly rolled us up until General 
 Sedgwick rallied his men and quieted the threatened panic. Sedg- 
 wick was able to check Early's attack, which had taken us by surprise, 
 but he had to establish a new front during the night. So, on both 
 the left and right, in the Wilderness, May 6th, we came perilously 
 near to a decisive defeat. 
 
 The Sixth Corps began to leave its breastworks the following 
 night, after a whole day's rest, disturbed only by slight skirmishes. 
 We thought that the army was going back across the Rapidan, and 
 we marched with drooping spirits, until we came to the road, and 
 were turned to the left, away from the Rapidan. I have never heard 
 such cheering by our men. The roar was taken up and carried back 
 along the marching colimin, and from the forest and thickets on our 
 right flank came the shrill yells of the Confederates, who didn't know 
 why we were happy. 
 
 General Grant had won our confidence, and from that hour he 
 never lost it during the war, nor afterward. We were marching that 
 
62 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 
 
 night on the road to Spotsylvania, where our beloved Corps com- 
 mander General John Sedgwick, was killed May 9th, only two days 
 later. I saw his body passing in an ambulance behind the First 
 New York Battery, which was in position close to the place where 
 he was killed by a sharpshooter. That was a sad day for the Sixth 
 Corps. There were several assaults on the enemy's breast- 
 works the following day, but none gained more than a temporary 
 advantage. Rain began to fall about six P. M. on the 11th and it 
 was a wild night. Hancock's great corps charged, in the wet, foggy 
 dawn of the 12th, capturing the enemy's breastworks, with most of 
 General Edward Johnson's Division and about eighteen guns. Two 
 guns of the First New York Battery serving that day with Han- 
 cock, as it had served at Gettysburg, July 3rd, were then placed at 
 the Landrum House, General Hancock's headquarters, and the two 
 were concealed in a ravine behind the hill. 
 
 Lee struck back at Hancock, about 9 A. M., and regained a bold 
 salient in the line, with strong breastworks, which we had not time 
 to overturn. Our infantry fell back before the furious rush, but 
 rallied within a hundred yards, and held fast there on the open field 
 below the breastworks. Their rapid fire poured over the Confederate 
 trenches constantly until after dark. Supplies of ammimition were 
 repeatedly carried to the infantry on stretchers. A battery, which 
 had many of its horses killed at the first deadly volleys from the 
 enemy, hastily withdrew. Then the two guns of the First New 
 York Battery galloped from the ravine behind the Landrum House 
 and took position on a ridge a hundred yards behind the infantry. 
 These two guns fired over the heads of our infantry all day, and into 
 the night while the rain never ceased. A battery of brass Coehorn 
 mortars was placed later in the day a hundred yards behind the two 
 guns and fired over them to drop shells in the salient. The Con- 
 federates slipped away about midnight. Next morning, in the raw 
 dawn, I stood on top of the salient and looked down into its trenches. 
 I was wet and very weary myself, but those men in ragged gray clothes 
 
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BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 63 
 
 had stood in that trench, amid dead and dying comrades, for half 
 a day, half way up to their knees in water that became dark with 
 blood. 
 
 I saw an oak tree, nearly two feet in diameter, prostrate on the 
 ground, a few yards behind the breastworks. It had been cut down 
 by bullets alone which had streamed over the salient for hours, from 
 the rifles of our infantry. The army again advanced, " sideways " 
 from Spotsylvania to Cold Harbor, with engagements every day. 
 Cold Harbor had been a part of McClellan's battlefield in June, 1862. 
 
 Now the Army of the Potomac was to fight another and deadlier 
 battle on the same ground. From the breastworks of the First New 
 York Battery, a stone could be thrown into the mouths of the 
 enemy's guns, so close were the two lines at that place. Heavy 
 assaults were made at several points; one assault after another was 
 made against the breastworks, where the enemy caught our lines with 
 a mtirderous fire on both fianks and front, far short of its goal, and 
 we were repulsed with great slaughter. The losses sustained at Cold 
 Harbor were terrible. A retrograde movement of the army from 
 Cold Harbor and over to the south side of the James River, to the 
 vicinity of Petersburg, accomplished another " change of base." Part 
 of Lee's army had already occupied Petersburg before our advance 
 could take the town. We got an outer line of redoubts, which 
 were found deserted. The siege of Petersburg began. 
 
 General Lee soon detached Early's Division with orders to clear 
 the Shenandoah Valley again ; give Washington a bad scarce at least 
 and compel Grant to detach a large force from his front to oppose 
 Early, who swept everything before him until General Lew Wallace, 
 with a force of odds and ends, and two brigades of Rickett's Division 
 of the Sixth Corps from Grant, checked and held him fast for two 
 days at Monocacy in Maryland. Early then marched on, unopposed, 
 to the outskirts of Washington, which, apparently, was at his mercy. 
 But the Second Division of the Sixth Corps and the First New York 
 Battery arrived in Washington from City Point in the nick of time 
 to blast Early's hopes. After a short engagement in front of Fort 
 
64 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 
 
 Stevens that evening, Early retreated, followed closely to the Shenan- 
 doah by the Sixth Corps, with several batteries from its artillery 
 brigade. 
 
 It became necessary for Grant to form the Army of the Shen- 
 andoah, from the Sixth, Eighth and Nineteenth Corps, and two 
 divisions of cavalry to protect Washington and destroy Early. Gen- 
 eral Sheridan was sent from City Point to command the new army. 
 The battles of Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek followed 
 and practically finished Early's career. The Sixth Corps, without 
 its batteries, which were detained at Washington until navigation 
 opened down the Potomac, returned to City Point. A winter of 
 intense cold passed slowly. 
 
 The final campaign of the Army of the Potomac began late in 
 March, and after a severe battle at Five Forks, a successful assault 
 w^as made April 2nd along the entire Petersburg line of fortifications. 
 Petersburg was taken. Richmond was evacuated and occupied by our 
 forces under Weitzel. The Army of Northern Virginia was retreat- 
 ing to the South, followed closely by the Army of the Potomac. The 
 sanguinary battle of Sailor's Creek was fought April 6th. Ewell's 
 Corps surrendered on the battlefield to the Sixth Corps, commanded 
 by General H. G. Wright, since Sedgwick's death. 
 
 Three days later General Lee surrendered his army to Grant, 
 when there was no longer any hope of escape and further shedding 
 of blood was useless. Rations were promptly issued to the starving 
 Confederates. Our esteemed comrade, General Horatio C. King, had 
 a part of that relief work, which was generously performed. The 
 " Yankees " emptied their haversacks for the " Johnny Rebs." A 
 feeling of sympathy and of admiration for the brave and dauntless 
 men in gray who had fought us for four years and beaten us so often, 
 was manifested in a hundred ways. Grant's terms allowed the men 
 to keep their horses and the officers their horses and side arms. Each 
 Confederate command was marched to a designated place, stacked 
 their arms and banners and received their parole. The war for them 
 and for us was over. 
 
BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 65 
 
 One incident of the surrender I may be allowed to describe: 
 General Joshua L. Chamberlain, commanding the First Brigade, 
 First Division, Fifth Corps, was directed to receive the surrender of 
 the guns and flags. His troops were standing at the roadside when 
 General Gordon's command approached, marching to stack their 
 arms and banners. General Gordon, a prince of soldierly courage, 
 rode at its head. Chamberlain, from the old Pine Tree State, where 
 brave men are born and bred, with admiration for Gordon and his 
 ragged men in gray, gave the orders, "Attention! Carry Arms! 
 Present Arms ! " The gray column halted. Gordon swept his hoi'se 
 in front of Chamberlain and called to his command, " Front into 
 line! Attention! Present Arms! " The Southern flags returned the 
 salute to Old Glory. You may long search the records of chivalrous 
 deeds in warfare to find a match for Chamberlain's and Gordon's at 
 Appomattox. 
 
 Old comrades and friends of the blue and the gray: Fifty years 
 after the great battle of Gettysburg, there is peace and good will 
 between us. We are united in love for our country, " the land of 
 the free and the home of the brave;" we are devoted to our country's 
 flag, which sons of the South and of the North followed unitedly 
 and bravely in the War with Spain. We are afloat on the stream 
 of time, which runs to the land of peace and rest. 
 
 ROW, BROTHERS, ROW! 
 " Faintly as tolls the evening chime. 
 Our voices keep tune and our oars keep time; 
 
 Row, brothers, row! 
 " Row, brothers, row; the stream runs fast; 
 The rapids are near and the daylight's past. 
 
 Row, comrades, row ! " 
 
 General Horatio C. King: The Eighth Virginia Regiment, Con- 
 federate, had the unique distinction of having three brothers as its 
 field officers. One of them is with us on this platform and is within a 
 few months of the ninetieth anniversary of his birth. We have been 
 warm friends for a decade and it is with affectionate interest and 
 
66 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 
 
 enjoyment that I now present to you the surviving brother, a soldier 
 on this field, Colonel Edmund Berkeley, who will recite an original 
 poem. 
 
 Colonel Berkeley, clad in Confederate gray, and as erect as he was 
 fifty years ago, advanced to the front and with clear ringing voice, 
 that reached beyond the great audience, recited this poem: 
 
 O Lord of love, bless thou to-day 
 
 This meeting of the blue and gray; 
 
 Look down from heaven upon these ones, 
 
 Their country's tried and faithful sons; 
 
 As brothers side by side they stand. 
 
 Owning one country and one land. 
 
 Here, half a century ago. 
 
 Our brother's blood with ours did flow; 
 
 No scanty stream, no stunted tide. 
 
 These fields it stained from side to side; 
 
 And now to us is proved most plain 
 
 No single drop was shed in vain. 
 
 But did its destined purpose fill 
 
 In carrying out our Master's will, 
 
 Who did decree that war should cease 
 
 And this his chosen land have peace; 
 
 And to achieve this glorious end 
 
 We should four years in conflict spend. 
 
 Which done, the world would plainly see 
 
 Both sides had won a victory; 
 
 And then this reunited land 
 
 In the first place should ever stand 
 
 Of all the Nations far and near. 
 
 On east or western hemisphere. 
 
 Brothers, to-day in love we've met. 
 
 Let us all bitterness forget. 
 
 And with true love and friendship clasp 
 
 Each worthy hand in fervent grasp. 
 
 And in remembrance of this day 
 
 Let one and all devoutly pray, 
 
 That when our earthly course is run 
 
 And we our final victory won, 
 
 Together we'll pass to that blessed shore 
 
 That ne'er had heard the cannon's roar. 
 
 And where our angel comrades stand 
 
 To welcome us to heaven's bright strand. 
 
BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 67 
 
 General Horatio C. King: The lateness of the hour limits me to 
 the mere presentation of another gallant Union soldier, Captain 
 Albert M. Mills, of Little Falls, N. Y., formerly of the Eighth New 
 York Cavalry, of Buford's Division. 
 
ADDRESS OF CAPTAIN ALBERT M. MILLS, 
 
 EIGHTH NEW YORK CAVALRY, BUFORD'S DIVISION 
 
 Comrades and Fellow Soldieks: 
 
 IT is not worth while to add anything to what has been said. In- 
 deed words are superfluous now. The solemn utterance made 
 by you here fifty years ago is still heard in every corner of the 
 world. 
 
 We are exceedingly fortunate all of us, both the Blue and the 
 Gray, to be permitted to be here at this time, tenting on the old 
 camp ground. This is not the first time we have come to this place, 
 but it is our first visit to Gettysburg. We came here fifty years ago. 
 We did not heed the place to which we came or heed the name it 
 bore. Now the whole civilized world knows that fifty thousand veteran 
 soldiers are making their devout pilgrimage to the immortal spot, 
 Gettysburg. 
 
 Fifty years ago we came here under different conditions than 
 those which now prevail. Then we were stern soldiers in arms seek- 
 ing only a conflict with the enemy. Now we are only peaceful pilgrims 
 to one of the most sacred shrines in our sanctified land. And vastly 
 a more essential difference attends our footsteps here at this time. 
 Now we are not expecting a foe, we can discover no enemy. Comrades 
 on both sides: The joy of this day does not imply a forgetfulness 
 of the fearful battles of carnage and blood through which we passed. 
 The sectional conflict in which we were engaged was at the time bitter, 
 fierce and fearful. There was on both sides much of prejudice, in- 
 tolerance and animosity, but there was also on both sides the Army of 
 the Potomac victorious. It seems as though almost the only thing 
 that remained to be done, to establish the Confederacy as one of the 
 nations of the earth and sever the Union of the States, was the 
 recognition of the Confederate Government by Great Britain. The 
 English Government was doubtless anxious, for reasons of commerce 
 and on other grounds, to recognize the Confederate States. The 
 
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BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 69 
 
 sympathies of the British Government were against us in the war at 
 that time. It was before Mr. Beecher performed the glorious service 
 of turning the popular mind of the English people toward the Union 
 side in the war. There were some exceptions in the House of Lords, 
 but the ministers of England, including Mr. Gladstone, were in 
 sympathy with the effort to dissolve our Union. We had two friends 
 in England — John Bright in the Commons and Queen Victoria on 
 the throne. Mr. Bright's friendship was prompted by his great love 
 for the himian race and his ardent desire that all men should be free. 
 The Queen was moved by the tender sentiments of her mother love. 
 She remembered the loyal reception and kind treatment that were 
 given by the United States to her son, the Prince of Wales, in 1860. 
 Victoria took pains to see that in the diplomatic correspondence 
 between England and our Government there should be no offensive 
 utterances which should provoke an open breach. A gentleman who 
 was, after the war, a minister to the Court of St. James told me 
 that he saw in the archives of the British government a draft of a 
 despatch to our government which had been prepared by the English 
 ministers concerning the Trent affair, which was so offensive in its 
 tone as to have necessarily provoked war. The Queen with her own 
 hand had erased the irritating expressions and left the matter suscep- 
 tible of peaceful settlement. 
 
 I remember vividly, too, how the anxieties increased and passed 
 almost to consternation during the first day's fight when the Con- 
 federate troops gradually pressed us back, gaining every successive 
 foothold, and drove the Union Army almost in disorder through the 
 town of Gettysburg. At night fall, when the fighting had ceased 
 and the Confederates held the ground of the day, there were many 
 anxious hearts on our side in great fear lest the battle would be lost. 
 The second day was the decisive one. It was the most critical day 
 of the three. When at the dark of that day the Confederate forces 
 were repulsed, new courage arose on our side, for we felt sure that 
 the decisive event of the war would be with our flag. On the third 
 
70 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 
 
 day there was bloody fighting, but it accomphshed nothing. It was 
 simply a waste of human life. 
 
 There were two years of campaigning and fighting after that, 
 but the great battle of Gettysburg, followed by the capture of Vicks- 
 burg, turned the tide of the war, which flowed from that time on 
 to the ultimate negotiations of peace and the re-establishment of the 
 Union. That happened two years later, in 1865. As we contemplate 
 all this history and congratulate ourselves upon the fact that of it 
 all we were a part, it is no wonder that we meet to live over again 
 those days and commemorate the deeds of that time. It seems to me, 
 however, comrades and fellow-soldiers, that the greatest credit of it 
 all comes at the end when the fighting in the field was over.. At that 
 time there came the greatest glory to the Army of the Potomac and 
 the same glory came to the Army of Northern Virginia. ^Vhen all 
 the suffering had been endured, when all the martial glory had been 
 won, these two armies which had been for four years learning the 
 science of war, constituted two of the greatest instruments of destruc- 
 tion the human race ever knew. They could have turned on the 
 Republic of America and no power on earth could have prevented 
 them from usurping the government and all that it meant. The 
 Army of the Potomac was equipped with the most approved style of 
 arms. It was organized and accustomed to obey implicitly the orders 
 of its commanders. Might there not be a repetition of so many 
 instances in history when the commander of the army should proclaim 
 himself dictator and the soldier follows him to the establishment of a 
 despotism. No such thing occurred. No thought of it ever arose. 
 No leader dared to proclaim himself for any such purpose, and if 
 he had the loyal guns of the soldiers would have been immediately 
 turned against him. On the contrary, we behold the inspiring spec- 
 tacle, silently as the mist fades before the rising sun, that vast army 
 of almost two hundred thousand armed men melted away and is lost 
 in the community of peaceful law abiding citizens. The same is true 
 of the Army of Northern Virginia. Had that army been composed 
 
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BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 71 
 
 of Mexicans, or of some Latin races, the chances are that it would 
 have broken up into a band of guerillas, to make war in scattered 
 sections upon organized society, but they were not Mexicans, they 
 were chevaliers and covenanters, and when at Appomattox Grant 
 said, " Let us have peace," these grim trained veterans of war, 
 oppressed somewhat by the disappointment they must have felt, went 
 quietly to their homes and resimied the ways of peace, and the Repub- 
 lic of America lived. Thus the Army of the Potomac and the Army 
 of Northern Virginia in the space of a single day passed from the 
 destroying avocation of war to the productive pursuit of peace. As 
 soon as peace was proclaimed, peace in fact prevailed, and then there 
 was exhibited what seems to me to be the most sublime spectacle of 
 all that period. It was demonstrated and proclaimed to the world 
 everywhere that we of the North and you of the South were in fact 
 one homogeneous people; the true custodians of the most orderly, 
 self-restrained, law-abiding liberty, with which mankind was ever 
 blessed. 
 
 My friends, I have been asked to say a word about the State of 
 New York in this great battle, but it is not necessary to say it, because 
 its part is amply revealed on the pages of history, and you yourselves 
 were a part of it. You know that the State of New York contributed 
 to this battle about one-third of all the forces engaged on the Union 
 side. No word, I say, can ever be construed as disparaging any other 
 State, or any other portion of our army. We recognize that the 
 State of New York sustained a little more than one-third of the whole 
 loss, and there is to that an added glory which attaches to the record 
 of our State and its part in this battle. I refer to the deeds of 
 General Daniel E. Sickles, and General Henry W. Slocvmi. It is 
 not too much to say that those two valiant sons of New York on the 
 critical second day of this battle saved both flanks of the Union Army. 
 General Sickles, with great military skill and remarkable foresight, 
 placed the forces on the left and directed their movements so as to 
 foil the plan of General Lee to turn our left flank, the plan by which 
 
72 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 
 
 he expected to win the battle. And General Slocum by his skill in 
 disposing forces and his persistent courage and ability held and saved 
 the position of Gulp's Hill, which was at one time almost lost. If 
 lost it would have meant the complete rout of our forces. It was 
 my good fortune to have known General Slocum well, and to know 
 him was a benediction. He was one of the most amiable and agree- 
 able gentlemen I have ever met. In war he was a whirlwind, but in 
 peace he was as gentle as a woman. More could be said about the 
 State of New York in this struggle, but it is not necessary at this 
 time. These few suggestions which I have made at this time are 
 enough to recall some portion of the history of our State in this con- 
 flict, and to revive your recollections upon that subject. 
 
 It is not my intention to make a speech on this occasion. I am 
 not going to say more about the battle of Gettysburg, but I want to 
 draw your attention to one thing, that is, that in the face of this 
 glory which was won here, in view of the fact that from this decisive 
 battle there flowed those remarkable blessings which have been so 
 ably portrayed by Dr. Hillis, there comes home to us, or ought to 
 come to each one of us, the fact that our duties as a loyal army, 
 and secondly as individual citizens of this great Republic, are yet to 
 be performed. In these declining years of our lives, some may say 
 that we have done enough. Some say that the Republic owes to the 
 soldiers a lasting debt, but this my friends is a false view. No matter 
 what any citizen has done, the Republic and the Government owe 
 him nothing. Some generations of our people are called upon to 
 render more patriotic services than others, but whatever service the 
 occasion demands it is our duty to render it, and until we lie down 
 for the last time and pass over to the great majority, our patriotic 
 duty is not and will not be done. To preserve these great blessings 
 we and those who come after us are called upon to render services to 
 the government and the institutions under which we live, which are 
 in some ways more difficult than were the services rendered on the 
 battlefield. There have arisen economic questions and social condi- 
 tions in this land which call for the greatest wisdom, the most patriotic 
 
BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 73 
 
 zeal and fidelity to the organizations of the government and the 
 foundations upon which its institutions rest. The time has come 
 when it is necessary that the people should revive a keen sense of 
 justice in public affairs, of that justice to all men and their legitimate 
 interests, without which an intelligent, self-governing people cannot 
 long exist. 
 
 It behooves the people of this land to stop for a moment and 
 see whether they are not going pretty fast in public and semi-public 
 affairs. The public atmosphere is filled with the very spirit of 
 injustice. The time has come when a simple accusation exploited 
 in public places is received as an argument for the adoption of 
 some public policy. A mere epithet flung at a public character or 
 group of citizens is accepted as a reason for pursuing some indicated 
 course of action. The public sense and disposition steered and 
 fostered through the channels of public information are inclined all 
 too hastily to make judgment precede the trial and conform to the 
 prejudices that have been aroused by the charge, instead of waiting 
 until the facts are ascertained and a dispassionate decision can be 
 made. I believe these tendencies of the public mind threaten harm 
 to all. It is high time that this trend should be recognized and cor- 
 rected. You have been here celebrating this remarkable event of 
 the battle of Gettysburg, and as you go to your homes your patriotism 
 will be undoubtedly refreshed, and I beg you to remember that 
 changes have come in the conditions of the people. Our society has 
 become more highly organized than it was fiftj"^ years ago. A rapid 
 multiplication of people and the introduction of new races have 
 brought in new theories, many of which are rank heresies to the 
 Anglo-Saxon race. Conflicting aims and desires have been intro- 
 duced, and we see that almost everywhere there is prevelant social 
 strife and contention among men which were unknown to us in our 
 earlier days and with which former generations of our people were 
 wholly unacquainted. It devolves upon us to exercise the greatest 
 wisdom and the most conservative restraint to the end that full 
 justice shall be done all. Agitators and those who in public places 
 
74 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 
 
 seek to accomplish selfish ends by the demagogue's art must be 
 rebuked and suppressed by the stern and resolute enforcement of 
 salutary laws. It is of the utmost importance also that we see to 
 it that the laws shall not become distorted or poisoned with injustice. 
 The demagogue is too apt to appear and arouse the resentment of 
 the populace to serve his selfish end. 
 
 This is the danger which Lord Macauley meant when he pro- 
 phesied that the American Republic would not last beyond a hundred 
 years, but would fall ruined by the passions and injustice of its own 
 people. The prophecy, happily, did not come true, within the time 
 set by the learned statesman, and it is incumbent upon us to see to 
 it that it never comes true. It seems to me that the plain principle 
 by which this nation must live and this people with its government 
 endure, is the one I have sought to inculcate, and that is justice — 
 orderly, patient justice to all. 
 
 Let us endeavor then from now on to appreciate and observe 
 the patriotic duty that still lies before us. Let us so act as citizens 
 of this Republic that all our people and their interests shall be 
 served alike ; that in public affairs there shall be truth and righteous- 
 ness ; that in private life there shall be peace and comfort and happi- 
 ness. Let us see to it that wise rulers are placed in public positions 
 charged with economic duty, that some laws shall be passed and 
 some others defeated, to the end that there may be the widest oppor- 
 tunity in this land of ours for all men to live and live well. 
 
 General Horatio C. King: By request of the New York Monu- 
 ments Commission, I will now read an original poem appropriate to 
 the occasion. 
 
 GETTYSBURG 
 
 By General Horatio C. King 
 
 Fair was the sight that peaceful July day 
 And sweet the air with scent of new-mown hay, 
 And Gettysburg's devoted plain serene 
 Resplendent shone with waves of emerald green. 
 
THE GENERAL SLOCUM MONUMENT AT STEVEN'S KNOLL, GULP'S HILL 
 (Commander uf right wing of Union army) 
 
BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 75 
 
 The western heights, where close embowered stood 
 The sacred shrine, near hidden in the wood. 
 Recked not of war, but echoed with the tread 
 Of God's meek messengers of peace, who led 
 The thoughts from earthly things to things above, 
 And taught the wayward heart that God is love; 
 While far across wide fields of golden grain 
 Another ridge uprose from out the plain ; 
 And in its bosom, freed from earthly woes. 
 The dead of ages lie in calm repose. 
 Two bloody days across the stricken field. 
 Two angry hordes in ghastly combat reeled. 
 And welcome night its dusky mantle threw 
 In pitying love to hide the scene from view. 
 
 Again the bugle with its piercing call 
 Awoke the soldier from deep slumber's thrall; 
 With anxious waiting, nerved by conscious power. 
 All stood impatient through the morning hour. 
 Till from the throat of every shotted gun 
 The smoke of hell obscured the blazing sun; 
 Then silence deep, and every soldier knew 
 The charge was near, and tight his buckle drew 
 Lo! from their midst a stern command, and then 
 The quick advance of twenty thousand men; 
 A solid line of veterans clad in gray 
 With iron nerves and earnest for the fray. 
 
 In thought a new-born nation rose to sight. 
 
 With " stars and bars " unfurled in glorious light. 
 
 On, on they came, nor faltered in their tread. 
 
 Each man a hero — giants at their head. 
 
 We stood amazed at courage so sublime, 
 
 No braver record on the page of time. 
 
 With bristling bayonets glistening in the sun, 
 The stubborn ranks, inspired by victories won. 
 Pressed grimly on, unmindful of the storm 
 Of shot and shell that felled full many a form; 
 The maddened roar of angry cannon massed 
 Rocked the red field as if an earthquake passed. 
 
76 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 
 
 Still on they came; the gaps they quickly close; 
 " Now steady men ! " and from our ranks there rose 
 A mighty cry, and thick the leaden hail 
 Fell on the wavering lines. " See! how they quail! " 
 "Strike! strike! for freedom and your native land!" 
 And bayonets clashed in conflicts hand to hand. 
 Oh, fierce the struggle; but they break! they fly! 
 And God to freedom gives the victory. 
 
 The Benediction was pronounced by the Rev. Dr. Hubbell; the 
 Band played the " Star Spangled Banner," and the great meeting 
 passed into history. 
 
 From the time that the Commission for the Celebration of the 
 Fiftieth Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg opened its office 
 in May, 1912, until the end of June, 1913, 12,528 applications for 
 transportation to Gettysburg were received by it from veterans 
 in the State of New York. Several hundreds of these applicants 
 finally declined to attend the celebration for various reasons. 
 
 There were 10,691 transportation orders issued to veterans of 
 which 2,574 were returned unused, for reasons of declination, dis- 
 ability, and in some cases death. 
 
 For purposes of verification, index cards were used by the Com- 
 mission and constant comparisons made of applications as they were 
 received. Every transportation order was duly nimibered, and on 
 the stubs of the books containing the transportation certificates, the 
 contents of the application were written. The railroads furnished 
 rates from all points of the State to Gettysburg and return, and 
 gave ample time for excursions to outside points. Many veterans 
 took advantage of this privilege. 
 
 A smnmary of the statements shows that fom-teen railroads 
 exchanged for transportation orders, from 310 stations, 8,117 tickets. 
 Of these, 51 whole tickets and 16 portions of tickets were forwarded 
 to the office of this Commission " unused " by their holders, and the 
 redemption values of same were deducted from the bills of the 
 
BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 77 
 
 railroad companies issuing them. There were twenty-five refunds 
 made to veterans who paid their own fares to Gettysburg, and 
 return, to attend the Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration. 
 
 The sum total of the appropriations for the Fiftieth Anniversary 
 Celebration of the Battle of Gettysburg was $165,000. There was 
 disbursed by this Commission on account of the celebration 
 $124,224.25. This left an unexpended balance in the State Treasury 
 of $40,775.75. 
 
 STATE OFFICERS: 1913 
 
 Honorable William Sulzer, Governor. 
 Honorable Martin H. Glynn, Lieut.-Governor. 
 Honorable Mitchell May, Secretary of State. 
 Honorable William Sohmer, Comptroller. 
 Honorable Thomas Carmody, Attorney-General. 
 Honorable John J. Kennedy, Treasurer. 
 Honorable John A. Bensel, Engineer. 
 
THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 
 
 HORATIO C. KING, L.L. D. 
 
 DURING the early part of the great Civil War, Henry Ward 
 Beecher was in Europe for a much needed rest. At a 
 gathering held in London he was chaffed somewhat by 
 a pro-Confederate Englishman with the statement that " the 
 Northern troops were not successful in overcoming their Southern 
 brethren." Mr. Beecher, a little nettled, replied, "No, but 
 you see we are not fighting foreign troops; we are fighting 
 Americans." Had our contest been against a foreign foe, there 
 is little doubt that the failure of Lee at Gettysburg would have 
 resulted in peace. Twice Lee had left Virginia, where he had 
 the advantage of a favoring people, and undertook an aggressive 
 movement at the battle of Antietam, Maryland, and at the Pennsyl- 
 vania village, where a like advantage fell to the Union troops. Both 
 engagements resulted in great losses, and Lee returned to his own 
 soil much humiliated and disheartened. After the second retreat, 
 it is known that the most important of the Southern leaders, both 
 military and civil, felt that the tide had turned and they lost hope 
 of foreign recognition. But the South had been keyed up to the 
 determination " to die in the last ditch " ; and so struggling on fiercely 
 until " fought to a frazzle " the brilliant Army of Northern Virginia 
 surrendered at Appomattox. It was nearly two years of desperate 
 conflict after Gettysburg, but it was worth it to bring to the South 
 and the North the unqualified blessing of universal freedom. 
 
 The victory of the Confederates at Chancellorsville led Lee to 
 make a second movement North of the Potomac. On June 3, 1863, 
 he began his march. His army was about eighty thousand strong, of 
 which over sixty-eight thousand were veteran infantry, enthused with 
 their latest success. Hooker had in his command about eighty 
 thousand men also. His desire to make another attack on Lee in 
 Virginia was overruled at the Capital, which required him to cover 
 Washington and Harper's Ferry. He denounced the holding of 
 
 [78] 
 
THE GENERAL GREENE MONUMENT [MEAR OBSERVATORY, GULP'S HILL 
 
BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 79 
 
 Harper's Ferry and asked to be relieved. This was granted. When 
 he transferred the army to General Meade, the Union forces 
 numbered about one hundred and five thousand. Meade retained all 
 of Hooker's staflf. This was only about five days before the collision 
 which both sides knew was imminent. 
 
 The meandering of the Confederates in the Cumberland Valley, 
 in an eflPort to capture Harrisburg and threaten Philadelphia, need 
 simply be referred to here. Harrisburg escaped by the necessity of 
 Ewell's sudden recall to the main army in the threatened struggle 
 at Gettysbm-g. Meade's troops were also much scattered, the Sixth 
 Corps being at Manchester some thirty miles away. Meade's plan was 
 to bring on the battle at Pipe Creek, which was much nearer Wash- 
 ington, and would give him the opportimity, if defeated, to fall back 
 upon that well fortified city. Lee had selected Cashtown, northwest 
 of Gettysburg, as the battle ground. Thus both generals were dis- 
 appointed. On the 30th of June, Buford was ordered to occupy 
 Gettysburg, which he did, Pettigrew's Confederate Brigade leaving 
 it on his approach. The same day Meade issued orders to Reynolds, 
 commanding the First Corps, to advance on the following morning, 
 and to the remaining troops to concentrate in the same direction. 
 Lee, on the 29th, had directed his troops to assemble near Cashtown. 
 Heth's Division of A. P. Hill's Corps arrived first, and on the 
 30th Pettigrew's Brigade was ordered to Gettysburg for a supply 
 of much needed shoes. His troops were almost entering the town 
 with their large wagon train when Buford's presence was reported. 
 Pettigrew fell back half way to Cashtown and notified A. P. Hill. 
 His force was too small to attack Buford, who had the advantage of 
 a good position. General Hill correctly surmised that the Union 
 cavalry was an advance guard and could be easily beaten. It was 
 most unfortunate for Lee that he had permitted J. E. B. Stuart 
 to take the cavalry away on a futile excursion and thus left his army 
 without its important eyes — the cavalry. On July 1st Heth was 
 ordered to move to Gettysburg — A. P. Hill's Second Division and 
 
80 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 
 
 other troops to follow. The scattered divisions of Ewell's Corps 
 returned towards Cashtown and reached the battlefield half a day- 
 late. Couch, a Union commander, who was at Harrisburg, followed 
 the retiring Ewell and at Carlisle saved the destruction of that town 
 by J. E. B. Stuart. This wise scheme served to hold the Confederate 
 cavalry in check. 
 
 Oak Hill and Seminary Ridge (because of its Lutheran seminary) 
 became the line of battle on the first day, and thereafter was occupied 
 by the Confederate forces. Buford was aware of the presence of 
 Confederate infantry and that a large portion of it was about to 
 concentrate at Gettysburg. He had thirty-five hundred mounted 
 men. These he arranged in the form of an arc of a circle, from west 
 to northeast of the town, and pushed his scouts far ahead to recon- 
 noitre. He sent word to Meade and Reynolds, and awaited daylight 
 of July 1st for further operations. Gamble's Brigade was on his 
 left and Devin's Brigade on the right. At six o'clock in the morning 
 the scouts reported Heth's Division as rapidly advancing. At eight 
 o'clock Heth commenced his attack and was met by a galling fire 
 which stopped the assailants. Fighting dismounted, the men of 
 the Union cavalry were thought to be infantry. Heth was ordered 
 by A. P. Hill not to press the enemy too closely until other troops 
 came up. Archer and Davis did the Confederate fighting. Buford 
 watched the struggle, prepared to fall back, if necessary, to Cemetery 
 Hill, a strong defensive position, about twenty-eight hundred yards 
 distant. His mind was greatly relieved when the First Corps of 
 the Union army came upon the field and General Reynolds took 
 command. Wadsworth's Division was at the head of the column. 
 Rowley's and Robinson's Divisions marched half an hour later, but 
 with General Doubleday were soon in readiness. Reynolds' trained 
 military eye accepted Cemetery Hill as a splendid defensive line, but 
 he decided that Seminary Ridge should be the place for the immediate 
 contest. He directed Wadsworth to the support of Gamble's Cavalry, 
 and sent directions to the remainder of the First Corps and to Howard 
 with the Eleventh Corps to push on with all possible speed. The 
 
BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 81 
 
 need of holding the Confederate troops until the Union troops came 
 up was the pressing demand, and better fighting was never seen in 
 the Army of the Potomac. To the great misfortime of the Federal 
 troops, at 10 :15 A. M. Reynolds was instantly killed. The command 
 then devolved upon General Doubleday, until the arrival of Howard, 
 who, by seniority, took charge of the fighting field. Wadsworth had 
 two brigades. Cutler's and the Iron Brigade, under Meredith. The 
 latter made a dash into the woods, near Willoughby Run, and cap- 
 tured Archer's Brigade and one thousand prisoners, including Archer 
 himself. Cutler was fighting hard at the right of the line. He was 
 obliged to abandon his first line to the Confederate Davis, some 
 three hundred yards, and find shelter in the thick woods on the ridge, 
 near the Seminary. The One Hundred and Forty-seventh New 
 York was almost surrounded, the Eighty-fourth New York (Four- 
 teenth Brooklyn Militia) and the Ninety-fifth New York were 
 isolated; and Hall's Battery could not be withdrawn without a sacri- 
 fice. Doubleday went to redeem this misfortune. The Sixth Wis- 
 consin, Eighty-fourth New York and Ninety-fifth New York rushed 
 to attack Davis's Brigade. The Confederates were driven back into 
 the railroad cut and two regiments captured. The One Hundred 
 and Forty-seventh New York was freed and the Confederates driven 
 back towards Willoughby Run. 
 
 It was now about eleven o'clock. Davis and Archer had failed 
 losing more than half of their effective forces. Heth waited to bring 
 up the brigades of Pettigrew and Brockenough, and Doubleday 
 availed himself of this time to place Meredith in his former position 
 east of the stream, at the edge of McPherson's Woods; Cutler to 
 his former position, and a mounted battery to take the place of the 
 division battery. At half past eleven Doubleday received the brigades 
 of Stone and Biddle; they added about five thousand men to his 
 forces and were quickly posted on either side of the woods occupied 
 by Meredith. Pettigrew attacked Stone's famous " Bucktails " and 
 these latter fought with intrepid valor and determination to stay. 
 
82 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 
 
 General Howard had ridden hastily forward to the scene of 
 action, where he was told of the death of Reynolds, and took com- 
 mand. He sent orders, at once, to Sickles' Third Corps to hurry 
 up. Urgent orders were despatched to the division commanders of 
 the Eleventh Corps. At a quarter to one, Schurz entered Gettys- 
 burg, and as senior officer assumed command of the Eleventh Corps. 
 Schimmelfennig, commanding Schurz' Division, and Barlow were 
 directed to the right of Doubleday; Steinwehr's Division, with its 
 artillery, being left on Cemetery Hill. Rode's Confederate Division 
 moving on Oak Hill, impeded unsuccessfully by Devin's cavalry, 
 came up and were placed on the Hill. It was now about two o'clock. 
 O'Neal's Brigade, of Rode's Division, was in the centre. Dole's 
 line extended to the left. Iverson, Ramseur and Daniels were also 
 on the left. Their five batteries enabled the Confederates to con- 
 centrate a heavy fire of guns on the Federals. The guns of Ewell's 
 Corps raked Doubleday's lines. It was half past two, A. P. Hill 
 determined to renew the fight with Heth's soldiers, who had suffered 
 so severely but a short time before, with Pender in support. Pender 
 deployed to connect with Heth. Iverson, Ramseur and Daniel pre- 
 pared to attack Cutler. Doubleday called for his reserves and sent 
 them to strengthen the line on Cutler's right. Baxter advanced, and 
 meeting O'Neal's Confederate Brigade drove it back with great loss 
 and confusion. Then Iverson attacked. The Union fire nearly 
 destroyed his brigade; a thousand prisoners were taken, or about 
 two-thirds of the brigade. The Federal troops had been generally 
 successful up to this time. 
 
 But the Confederate force was largely reinforced and was superior 
 in nimibers to the Federals. They arranged now for concentrated 
 action. Early's Division had arrived and was advantageously posted. 
 Hays, Hoke and Gordon were at the front and Smith's Brigade 
 was held in reserve. After a severe struggle, the Federals feeling 
 that they were about to be surrounded by Dole and Early yielded 
 ground and formed again after a retreat of five hundred yards. 
 
C3 
 Z 
 < 
 
 UJ 
 
 I 
 
BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 83 
 
 Schimmelfennig's Division was almost broken. Howard's delay in 
 ordering a general retirement would have saved much of the confu- 
 sion and loss which followed. 
 
 By half past three o'clock the two divisions of the Eleventh Corps' 
 were driven back. The First Corps waited impatiently for orders. 
 Doubleday had only Devin's Cavalry as a relief — wholly insuffi- 
 cent reinforcements. A renewed attack by the Confederates was 
 made and gallantly resisted, but it was evident that the Federal 
 force was much inferior to the Confederates in the troops engaged. 
 Doubleday finally withdrew through Gettysburg, resisting the 
 advance of the Confederates as he retired, but abandoned the town 
 as untenable. The Confederates came in and took large numbers of 
 prisoners. The rest of the Eleventh Corps fell back to Cemetery 
 Hill. In this preliminary engagement the Federals had sixteen 
 thousand and the Confederate forces at least twenty-six thousand 
 men. The result was not without glory to the Union side and it 
 secured for the Federal Army one of the best defensive grounds 
 that could be found for the terrible conflict which was to be continued 
 the next two days. The rest of the Union Army was fast marching 
 to Gettysburg. Pipe Creek was abandoned and every effort made 
 to push the forces to Cemetery Hill. Meade sent Hancock to 
 represent him in advance. The Confederates did not deem it wise 
 or prudent to follow up their success. Gordon, in his " Last Days 
 of the Confederacy," laments that he was not permitted to make the 
 attempt, feeling sure of its success, but he would have found there 
 strong positions and forces which he could not dislodge. Lee came 
 on the ground before five o'clock and declined to continue the con- 
 test that day. 
 
 By nine o'clock next morning, all the Union forces were on 
 Cemetery Ridge, save the fifteen thousand men of the Sixth Corps, 
 which had a march of thirty miles to make — arriving in the after- 
 noon. Cemetery Hill (so named from the very old cemetery there) 
 and its ridge extending to Little and Big Round Tops, was accepted 
 
84 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 
 
 as the line of battle and so occupied, save by the Third Corps, which 
 took a post several hundred yards in advance of the regular line of 
 formation. The discussion of Sickles' seeming disobedience of orders 
 has been general and severe. It is not proposed to revive the dis- 
 cussion here, but simply to insert an extract from a letter. General 
 Longstreet had been invited to attend the unveiling of the monimient 
 of General Slocum at Gettysburg. Under date of September 19, 
 1902, he sent his regrets to Sickles, because of lameness, and added, 
 among other things, " I believe that it is now conceded that the 
 advanced position at the Peach Orchard taken by your Corps and 
 under your orders saved that battle to the Union cause." To the writer 
 of this he stated that it was his desire to flank the Federal Army out 
 of their strong defensive position, but the Third Corps made that 
 impossible. He represented that the battle of Gettysburg should 
 have ended and was practically closed the second day, with the battles 
 of the left and right. The slaughter of the 3rd of July was an 
 unnecessary adjunct. 
 
 A council of war held at Meade's headquarters decided, on the 
 afternoon of July 2nd, not to take a new position, but stay at Gettys- 
 burg and fight it out. 
 
 Second Day 
 
 Contrary to expectations, the Confederates did not renew their 
 attack in the early morning. Meade contemplated an advance on 
 the right himself, but abandoned it. It was after three o'clock before 
 an enforced movement was begim by the enemy. Meade had visited 
 Sickles' line and decided that it was too late to make a change. 
 General Hood opened the struggle. His first aim was the capture 
 of the Little Round Top and the flanking of the Union left. De 
 Trobriand and Ward opposed him, with Smith's and Winslow's 
 Batteries to aid. They were weaker, but had the advantage of excel- 
 lent defensive ground. Law was assigned to this work, with Texas 
 and Alabama veterans. Ward had only the Fourth Maine there in 
 the valley where the Plum Run flows. This was reinforced by the 
 
BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 85 
 
 Fortieth New York and the Sixth New Jersey, from Burling's 
 Brigade. They resisted the attack furiously but lost ground. But 
 Anderson was repulsed and severely wounded. Yet the Confederates 
 pressed on and climbed the hill. Both sides realized that Little 
 Round Top commanded the whole battlefield and that its occupation 
 was a vital necessity. About four o'clock General Warren had 
 climbed it and soon discovered a large force of Confederates ascend- 
 ing the rocky and difficult obstruction. He sent to General Barnes, 
 of the Fifth Corps, who assigned Vincent's Brigade to cover the 
 threatened front. While the Confederates scaled the hill on the south 
 side, the Federals climbed it on the other and success was only a 
 question of a few minutes. The Signal Corps continued to wave 
 their flags as if the Union forces were still there. Colonel O'Rorke, 
 with the 140th N. Y. charged down the western slope. Hazlett's 
 Battery, by tremendous efforts of horses and men, also came. Weed's 
 Brigade followed and formed to the right of Vincent's. Thus pro- 
 tected. Little Round Top was safe to the Federals and was held until 
 the battle closed. In this defense. Chamberlain and Rice rendered 
 important services. Vincent, Weed, O'Rorke and Hazlett were 
 killed. 
 
 The battle on the left continued with great fury. The Peach 
 Orchard, the Loop, the Devil's Den and the Wheat Field were scenes 
 of the severest fighting and greatest losses. General Sickles was 
 struck by a piece of shell, about half past six, and removed from the 
 field and his leg was amputated. General Birney took command 
 of the Third Corps. The Devil's Den was taken by the Confederates, 
 the sharpshooters from which were exceedingly troublesome. The 
 charges and countercharges indicated the firm determination of both 
 sides to conquer, and when the sun went down that night one cannot 
 appreciate the disappointment of the Confederates, who saw success 
 almost in sight eclipsed by the darkness. 
 
 Simultaneously with Longstreet's movement. General Ewell was 
 to attack Culp's Hill, the Union right, the forces of which had been 
 
86 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 
 
 greatly weakened by the transfer of the Twelfth Corps to meet the 
 effort to destroy Sickles. The attack was opened at dusk, or about 
 seven o'clock. The dense woods and the temporary earthworks 
 greatly strengthened the defense. Johnson's Division (the old 
 " Stonewall " Jackson Division) moved through the gorges of Rock 
 Creek. The Third Brigade, of Geary's Division, Slocum's Corps, 
 under General Greene, alone held the hill. (Among the troops here 
 of the Twelfth Corps was the 102nd N. Y., much reduced in numbers, 
 which was under the command of Colonel Lewis R. Stegman, of the 
 New York Monuments Commission. Colonel Clinton Beckwith, 
 another member of the Commission, was also in the battle.) The 
 Confederates were firmly met and repulsed on Greene's front, but 
 occupied a portion of the abandoned Federal works. Greene was 
 reinforced by Schurz and by a few decimated regiments of Wads- 
 worth's Division. Early and Rodes were part of the Confederate 
 forces in an attack on Cemetery Hill at the same hour. Two brigades 
 were in the attack. For two hours they struggled fiercely. Hancock 
 sent Carroll's Brigade to Howard as relief. The assailants were 
 compelled to fall back. The night attack on the right had failed. 
 
 The Third Day 
 By next morning the Twelfth Corps had returned to the right, and 
 after seven hours' struggle the Union works were recovered and the 
 Confederates driven from that part of the field. After the defeat on 
 Culp's Hill, the Federals waited in anxious expectancy some further 
 developments. The Confederates occupied the line held the second 
 day by the Third Union Corps. Colonel Alexander placed the six 
 batteries of Longstreet's Corps on the Emmitsburg Road, stretching 
 northward along Seminary Ridge to Oak Hill. Back of these were 
 the Washington Artillery, with Dearing's and Cabell's batallions. 
 Their line is thus noted because of the charge which was made in 
 the afternoon and in which they played an important part. In spite 
 of Longstreet's opposition, Lee had decided to make a direct attack 
 on the Union centre, and, if possible, get in its rear and thereby compel 
 
/ 
 

 THE GENERAL WEBB MONUMENT 
 On Hancock avenue, opposite the Angle 
 
BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 87 
 
 its retirement or surrender. Pickett's Division, which had marched 
 from Chambersburg the day before, was to form a sahent feature 
 of this bold attempt. 
 
 Pickett's Virginia Division was to be the principal force, and 
 was supported by six other brigades of A. P. Hill's Corps. Two shots 
 from the Washington Artillery was the warning. The signal was 
 obeyed by one hundred and thirty pieces of Confederate cannon. 
 It was now one o'clock. The Union artillery, under General Hunt, 
 Chief of Artillery, replied with eighty pieces, arranged along Cem- 
 etery Ridge, a large number of batteries being held in reserve for 
 future action. For about two hours pandemonium reigned. At 
 length the Federal lines was silenced, apparently, and as the Con- 
 federates thought for lack of ammunition. Pickett called upon Long- 
 street for orders to move, which the latter refused to give. Pickett 
 replied that he would put his forces in motion, and Longstreet simply 
 nodded affirmatively. The space to be covered from the Confederate 
 position to the clump of trees at the Union front was about a mile. 
 
 The advance of this body of brave men was noted with admiration 
 by both sides. Despite the intense heat, they moved along with the 
 evenness and dignity of a dress parade. The number of men in this 
 immortal march was about sixteen thousand. Pickett's Division had 
 four thousand five hundred and the rest came from the forces of 
 Pettigrew, Trimble and AVilcox. Garnett, Kemper and Armistead 
 commanded Pickett's Brigades. The Union artillery was opened 
 on this column with heavy slaughter. The great gaps were quickly 
 closed and the troops moved bravely on. At one point, about half 
 way over, they actually halted and made a realignment. 
 
 Of this coolness an amusing story is told. The Northern rabbit 
 is denominated by the Southern negroes as Molly-cotton-tails, and 
 are the most timid of animals. Crossing the field one was disturbed 
 in his warren and immediately elevating his tail made a bee line to 
 the rear. One of the officers pointed his sword and laughingly 
 shouted " Go it old Molly-cotton-tail, I'd be with you, if I dared." 
 
88 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 
 
 On the Union side every movement was watched with anxiety. 
 Among the troops upon whom the charge was to fall was Gibbon's 
 and Hays's Divisions, of Hancock's Corps. Gibbon's Division opened 
 a terrible fire of musketry on Pickett's men. The Confederates rushed 
 towards them, but were met by a charge on their flank by Stannard's 
 Vermont Brigade, which contributed greatly to their demoralization. 
 With desperate courage, the troops pressed forward and attacked 
 the brigades of Webb, Hall and Harrow. Reserves poiu"ing in, the 
 Confederates were driven back. Cushing's U. S. Battery had its 
 guns near the Angle and he was killed. The battery of Captain 
 Andrew Cowan was also near the Angle and fired canister with 
 deadly effect. 
 
 There was much mingling and confusion at the Angle. Armistead 
 strove to seize Cushing's Battery there and fell mortally wounded. 
 Garnett had been killed earlier and Kemper badly wounded. Two 
 thousand prisoners and fifteen flags were taken by the Federal 
 forces, and the total Confederate losses are placed at thirty-five 
 hundred, exclusive of the prisoners. The greatest charge in modern 
 history had been made and failed, and it practically ended the great 
 battle of Gettysburg. 
 
 So much attention has been given to the principal contest that 
 reference is but seldom made to the remarkable cavalry engagement 
 between General David McM. Gregg, of the Union Army, and the 
 famous General J. E. B. Stuart, of the Confederate Army. Stuart, 
 who had been kept from the main field, was directed to get aroimd 
 the Federal right and rear, in order to strike in assistance of Pickett's 
 charge. He was met by General Gregg about three miles east of 
 Gettysburg, near Bonaughton. This brilliant conflict recalls the 
 names of Irvin Gregg, Custer and Mcintosh, on the Union side, and 
 Fitzhugh Lee, Chambliss, Hampton (who was severely woimded) 
 and Jenkins, on the Confederate side. One of the prime incidents 
 of this conflict was the exploit of Captain Charles E. Miller, com- 
 manding a Pennsylvania squadron, who was one of the Pennsylvania 
 
BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 89 
 
 Commissioners for the fiftieth anniversary celebration. He was 
 ordered to a certain position and to hold it at all hazards. A Con- 
 federate charge which was driving the Union forces approached him. 
 Disregarding his orders he mounted his men and charged against 
 their flank, compelling their retreat. For this " disobedience of 
 orders " he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. 
 
 Success rested with the Union side. The Union Cavalry forces 
 lost seven hundred and thirty-six men, including one hundred and 
 twelve killed, two hundred and eighty-nine wounded and three hun- 
 dred and sixty-five taken prisoners. 
 
 In the compilation of this account Comte De Paris' exhaustive 
 history has been mainly relied upon. Its incompleteness is manifest, 
 but the intention has been to give as briefly as possible the principal 
 features of what Americans can do in a great contest. It was so 
 decisive as to preclude further efforts to meet the Union troops on 
 Northern soil, and in view of later events, shows that the Civil War 
 should have ended at Gettysbvu-g. 
 
NEW YORK COMMISSION 
 
 FOR THE 
 
 BATTLEFIELDS OF GETTYSBURG AND CHATTANOOGA 
 
 23 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK 
 
 Maj.-Gen. DANIEL E. SICKLES, U. S. A., A. J. ZABRISRIE, 
 
 Chairman Engineer and Secretary 
 
 CELEBRATION OF THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF 
 THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 
 
 CIRCULAR NO. 1 
 
 June 12, 1912. 
 
 By Chapter 227 of the Laws of New York 1912, this Commission was appointed 
 to plan and conduct a public celebration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Battle 
 of Gettysburg, to be held July 1, 2, 3 and 4, 1913, on the battlefield, and was also 
 given power to enter into negotiations and co-operate with the State of Pennsylvania 
 in relation to such celebration. The Commission is authorized to arrange for the 
 transportation of 25,000 Union veterans of the War of the Rebellion, residing in 
 this State, from points within the State to and from Gettysburg, Pa. 
 
 As a large number of the veterans of the State are members of the Grand 
 Army of the Republic, and in view of the familiarity and personal touch of this 
 organization with its membership, which would prove of much value in the dis- 
 semination of information, the preparation and transmission of applications for 
 transportation, and the distribution of the transportation orders, it has been decided 
 by the Commission to avail itself of the facilities afforded by this state-wide organi- 
 zation in the Department of New York in so far as the members of the various 
 posts are concerned. 
 
 Those veterans who are not members of any Grand Army Post in the Depart- 
 ment of New York will communicate with and apply by letter addressed to this 
 Commission, or personally at this office. 
 
 Application blanks are in course of preparation and will be forwarded to each 
 Post Adjutant for the use of the members of the Post. Other veterans will be 
 furnished direct by this Commission in response to their request. 
 
 To be eligible for free transportation the veteran must be an honorably dis- 
 charged soldier, sailor or marine from the army, navy or marine corps of the 
 United States in the War of the Rebellion, and now a resident of the State of 
 New York. 
 
 It is proposed to unite in a camp upon a section of the battlefield New York's 
 representation at the celebration, grouped by counties, to enable inquirers to 
 readily locate those for whom they may be seeking. For this and other reasons 
 apparent upon considering the conditions obtaining, where large numbers are 
 assembled and accommodated under canvas, the Commission desires that the veterans 
 from each county assemble as far as practicable and entrain at some conveniently 
 central point in the county, or, if preferred, at two or three points where there are 
 
 [90] 
 
BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 91 
 
 large numbers of veterans and where, if the aggregate of passengers be sufficient, 
 special train service could be arranged by the local officers. 
 
 Section 1 of Chapter 144 of the Laws of 1912, provided that 
 " Every honorably discharged soldier, sailor or marine from the army or navy 
 of the United States in the late Civil War holding a position or employment in the 
 civil service of the state or of any city, county, town or village therein, shall be 
 entitled to a leave of absence with full pay for a term beginning July 1, 1913, 
 and ending July 7, 1913, in commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the battle 
 of Gettysburg." 
 
 Touching the question of suitable quarters and necessary subsistence for 
 visiting veterans while at Gettysburg during the occasion of the celebration, the 
 Secretary of War was authorized and directed by Senate Concurrent Resolution 
 No. 19, sixty-second Congress, second session: 
 
 1. To cause to be made such surveys, measurements and estimates as will be 
 necessary in regard to providing for a sufficient supply of good water for the 
 use of honorably discharged veterans of the Civil War who shall attend the cele- 
 bration. 
 
 2. To investigate as to the necessary and proper provision required to be made 
 for sewerage, sanitation, hospital and policing during such celebration. 
 
 3. To estimate upon tents, camp equipment, supplies and rations that in his 
 judgment will be necessary to properly accommodate and provide for the honorably 
 discharged veterans of the Civil War who shall attend such commemoration * * *. 
 
 4. To estimate the quantity of camp equipment such as tents, bedding, and 
 cooking outfits necessary to accommodate the honorably discharged veterans of 
 the Civil War attending, together with the cost per unit of a suitable ration to be 
 issued, and as to the best method of providing and issuing such rations * * *. 
 
 5. To prepare a plan of camp arrangement suitable to the occasion. In ac- 
 cordance with these directions, the War Department has caused to be prepared plans, 
 surveys and estimates covering the several features required to be investigated. 
 The data are embodied in the reports of the Quartermaster General and Commissary 
 General, which the Secretary of War transmitted for the information of Congress 
 under date of May 10, 1912. 
 
 This Commission anticipates that the National Government will arrange to 
 furnish free of expense to our visiting veterans the necessary quarters, under 
 canvas, and suitable rations for the period contemplated by the Senate Resolution 
 above outlined. 
 
 In your correspondence with this Commission do not fail, when giving your 
 address, to include the name of the county in which you reside. This request likewise 
 applies to the G. A. R. officers when giving the addresses of Post Headquarters. 
 This information will be of much assistance to our filing clerks in assorting the 
 correspondence at this office. 
 
 Additional copies of this circular will be mailed on receipt of application to 
 that effect from officers of the Grand Army Posts or other interested veterans. 
 By order of Major-General D. E. Sickles, U. S. A., Chairman. 
 
 A. J. ZABRISKIE, 
 Engineer and Secretary. 
 
CIRCULAR NO. 2 
 
 COMMISSIONERS 
 
 Maj.-Genl DANIEL E. SICKLES, U. S. A. Col. CLINTON BECKWITH 
 
 Bvt. Brlfi.-Genl ANSON G. McCOOK B^t. Col. HORATIO C. KING 
 
 Col. LEWIS R. STEGMAN Bvt. Major THOMAS W. BRADLEY 
 Brlg.-Gen'l HENRY D. HAMILTON, Adjt.-Gen'I S. N. Y. 
 
 Brevet Colonel HORATIO C. KING A. J. ZABRISKIE 
 
 Chairman Engineer and Secretary 
 
 NEW YORK COMMISSION 
 
 FOR THE 
 
 BATTLEFIELDS OF GETTYSBURG AND CHATTANOOGA. 
 
 APPOINTED A COMMISSION TO PLAN AND CONDUCT A PUBLIC 
 CELEBRATION OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF 
 GETTYSBURG, JULY, 1, 2, 3, 4, 1913 
 
 1 EAST 9TH STREET NEW YORK CITY 
 
 Telephone, 92 Gramercy 
 
 Dear Sir and Comrade: 
 
 The National Congress has made provision for the accommodation of only 
 40,000 veterans at Gettysburg, and no provision is made for their families. It 
 was found by the Railroad Companies and the War Department, that it would 
 be impossible to provide transportation and accommodations for a greater number. 
 Although the Legislature of our State expressed its willingness to send 25,000 
 veterans if accommodations could be provided, the Pennsylvania Commission which 
 has primary charge of the celebration, will take under consideration the quota 
 which may be allotted to each State, but a decision cannot be reached until the 
 meeting of the entire Commission on January 23, 1913. It is estimated that 
 New York's quota will not exceed 5,000. The application is therefore returned 
 for additional information should it be decided that preference will be given to 
 those who participated in the battle, and if there be less than 5,000, then to those 
 whose terms of service antedated and followed that engagement. 
 
 Your application is herewith returned and your attention is invited to section 
 
 of this communication. A compliance therewith is necessary to a 
 
 proper consideration of your application. Please return this with your reply. 
 
 Applications for Members of the G. A. R. 
 Department op New York. 
 
 1. Adjutant should fill in upper left hand column only. 
 
 2. Application should be fully dated. 
 
 3. Name of applicant should be given in full, and should correspond with 
 that of the signature. 
 
 [92] 
 
BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 93 
 
 4. Give the nearest important railroad station and the name of the railroad. 
 
 5. Give day, month and year of original enlistment. 
 
 6. Give the company and regiment and State to which it belonged and also 
 the State in which you originally enlisted, together with the arm of the service 
 and your rank. If light or heavy artillery, state which. 
 
 7. Give the company and regiment and State to which it belonged and also 
 the State from which you were finally discharged, together with the arm of the 
 service and your rank. If light or heavy artillery, state which. 
 
 8. Give day, month and year of final discharge. 
 
 9. Give your place of residence. 
 
 10. Give the number of the Post of which you are a member. 
 
 11. Applicant must sign the application and his address in full should be 
 given. If applicant signs by mark, the signature and address of one witness must 
 be given. 
 
 12. The name of the applicant, corresponding with that of the signature, should 
 be written in the certificate of identification. 
 
 13. Post commander should fill in the number of years he has known applicant. 
 The application must then be certified by the Post Commander in his own hand- 
 writing, and attested, with the date, by the Adjutant of the Post. If the Com- 
 mander is the applicant, the application should be certified by the Senior Vice- 
 Commander. 
 
 14. State whether or not you were connected with a regiment that was actually 
 in the Battle of Gettysburg. (See back of application.) 
 
 15. State whether or not you were with that regiment in that battle. (See back 
 of application.) 
 
 Applicatioxs for Nox-Membehs op the G. A. R. 
 Departmext op New York. 
 
 A. Do not fill in the columns at the top of the application. 
 
 B. Application should be fully dated. 
 
 C. Name of applicant should be given in full, and should correspond with that 
 of the signature. 
 
 D. Give the nearest important railroad station and the name of the railroad. 
 
 E. Give day, month and year of original enlistment. 
 
 F. Give the company and regiment and State to which it belonged and also 
 the State in which you originally enlisted, together with the arm of the service 
 and your rank. If light or heavy artillery, state which. 
 
 G. Give the Company and regiment and State to which it belonged and also the 
 State from which you were finally discharged, together with the arm of the service 
 and your rank. If light or heavy artillery, state which. 
 
 H. Give day, month and year of final discharge. 
 I. Give your place of residence. 
 
 J. Applicant must sign the application and his address in full should be given. 
 The signature of one witness and his address should also be given. 
 
94 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 
 
 K. The name of the applicant, corresponding with that of the signature, should 
 be written in the certificate of identification. 
 
 L. Applicant's pension certificate number should be given. The application 
 must then be certified by either the Postmaster, Justice of the Peace, Notary Public 
 or President of a duly organized New York State Civil War Veteran Association 
 of which the applicant is a member, inserting the number of years he has known 
 the applicant, and giving his official title, address and the date of such certification. 
 M. State whether or not you were connected with a regiment that was actually 
 in the Battle of Gettysburg. (See back of application.) 
 
 N. State whether or not you were with that regiment in that battle. (See back 
 of application.) 
 
 Fraternally yours, 
 
 HORATIO C. KING, 
 
 Chairman. 
 
CIRCULAR NO. 3 
 
 COMMISSIONERS 
 
 Major-Gen'l DANIEL E. SICKLES, U. S. A. Col. CLINTON BECKWITH 
 
 Bvt. Brig.-Gen'l ANSON G. McCOOK Bvt. Col. HORATIO C. KING 
 
 Col. LEWIS R. STEGMAN Bvt. Major THOMAS W. BRADLEY 
 Brig.-Gen'l HENRY D. HAMILTON, Adj.-Gen'l S. N. Y. 
 
 Brevet Colonel HORATIO C. KING, A. J. ZABRISKIE, 
 
 Chairman Engineer and Secretary 
 
 NEW YORK COMMISSION 
 
 FOR THE 
 
 BATTLEFIELDS OF GETTYSBURG AND CHATTANOOGA. 
 
 APPOINTED A COMMISSION TO PLAN AND CONDUCT A PUBLIC 
 CELEBRATION OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF 
 GETTYSBURG, JULY I, 2, 3, 4, 1913 
 
 1 EAST 9TH STREET, NEW YORK CITY 
 
 Telephone, 92 Gramercy 
 
 Special Notice. 
 
 Dear Sir and Commander: 
 
 The National Committee will meet in Philadelphia on January 23, when each 
 State Chairman will be required to report at that meeting as accurate an estimate 
 as possible of the probable attendance from each State. Please, therefore, if 
 not already sent, forward your applications before January 21, and do not await 
 the time limit named' in the original circular. The maximum number from all 
 States combined that can be transported and provided for has been fixed at 40,000, 
 and the General Committee, it is expected, will designate the quota allowed for 
 New York and all other States. 
 
 If you have no time in which to secure and send in your applications, then 
 please give as accurate an estimate as possible, of the number who will attend. 
 
 Fraternally yours, 
 
 HORATIO C. KING, 
 
 Chairman. 
 [95] 
 
CIRCULAR No. 4 
 Commissioners 
 
 Major-Gen-l DANIEL E. SICKLES, U. S. A. Col. CLINTON BECKWITH 
 
 Bvt. Brig.-Gen'l ANSON G. McCOOK Bvt. Col. HORATIO C. KING 
 
 Col. LEWIS R. STEGMAN Bvt. Major THOMAS W. BRADLEY 
 
 Brig.-Gen'l HENRY D. HAMILTON, Adj,-Geii'l S. N. Y 
 
 Brevet Colonel HORATIO C. KING, A. J. ZABRISKIE, 
 
 Chairman Engineer and Secretary 
 
 NEW YORK COMMISSION 
 
 FOR THE 
 
 BATTLEFIELDS OF GETTYSBURG AND CHATTANOOGA 
 
 APPOINTED A COMMISSION TO PLAN AND CONDUCT A PUBLIC 
 CELEBRATION OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF 
 GETTYSBURG, JULY 1, 2, 3, 4, 1913 
 
 NO. 116 NASSAU STREET, NEW YORK CITY 
 Telephone, Beekman 2883 
 
 Dear Sir and Comrade. — Answering your favor just received, I beg to call 
 your attention to the marked sections of the following circular. 
 
 Fraternally yours, 
 
 HORATIO C. KING, 
 
 Chairman. 
 
 1. Congress has limited the attendance to 40,000 Union and Confederate 
 veterans from all the States as the officials of the railroads entering Gettysburg 
 have decided that they cannot provide transportation for a greater number. 
 
 2. At a meeting of the General Commission having in charge the arrangements 
 for the Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration, held in Philadelphia, January 23-25, 
 1913, the number of veterans allotted to the State of New York was 10,000. In 
 view of this action the New York Commission at a meeting held January 27, 
 1913, decided to grant a preference: 
 
 (a) to surviving soldiers now residing in this State who served in regiments 
 
 or other commands that participated in the Battle of Gettysburg. 
 
 (b) to those veterans of the War of the Rebellion now residing in this 
 
 State not connected as above, who had the longest term of service. 
 
 3. No provision is made by law for the transportation of families of veterans, 
 nor for shelter and subsistence for them by the Federal Government. 
 
 4. Veterans will be quartered under canvas, eight to a tent, and provided 
 with rations by companies practically as issued in the time of the Civil War. To 
 each veteran will be given blankets, a tin plate, cup, knife and fork and two 
 spoons, and he will take his meals at a table contiguous to the open air kitchen. 
 
 5. There will be a general hospital for the sick and several infirmaries in 
 the camp. 
 
 [961 
 
BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 97 
 
 6. The camp is located about one-eighth of a mile north of the clump of trees 
 known as " The High Water Mark." It is expected that the railroad trains will 
 be run into this camp and arriving veterans will be detrained there. 
 
 7. Veterans arriving as Posts or in special groups will be assigned to tents 
 together; all others will be assigned to tents set apart for New York veterans. 
 
 8. The passenger association of the trunk lines has announced that Gettysburg 
 terminal lines will not park any cars. 
 
 9. Public exercises to be announced later, will be held on each day from 
 July 1 to 4, inclusive. 
 
 10. The State of New York will hold special ceremonies in the National 
 Cemetery near the New York State Monument, at which Rev. Newell Dwight 
 Hillis, D.D., Pastor of Plymouth Church, Brooklyn, N. Y., will be the orator. 
 The full program will be issued at a later date. 
 
 11. Automobiles. For information regarding accommodations for automobile 
 parties, address Col. Lewis E. Beitler, Secretary, Harrisburg, Pa. 
 
 12. This Commission is informed that every available room in Gettysburg has 
 already been engaged. Parties may be accommodated at Carlisle, Chambersburg, 
 Hanover and other smaller towns which are distant about twenty miles from 
 Gettysburg. 
 
 13. All applications must be filed at the office of this Commission by April 1, 
 1913. 
 
 14. Transportation will be furnished by direct lines over which and from those 
 stations where one-way tickets are regularly sold. Tickets will be good going 
 June 25, to July 4, 1913, and to return so as to reach original starting point not 
 later than July 15, 1913. Tickets will be good going and returning via same 
 route only. 
 
 If there are two or more routes from the same starting point the applicant 
 may take his choice, provided the fare is the same as by the direct line or lines. 
 
 15. Transportation orders will be issued in ample time. 
 
 16. Although no definite action has been taken by the Pennsylvania Commis- 
 sion, it is understood that the veterans will wear what they wish. It must not 
 be forgotten, however, that the garb should be suitable for extremely warm 
 weather. 
 
 17. Round trip tickets can be purchased by the general public at special ex- 
 cursion fares, which will be at the same rate as that paid by the State for the 
 transportation of veterans, but shelter and subsistence cannot be provided for any 
 but veterans and only to those presenting at Gettysburg Identification Cards which 
 will be issued through the Pennsylvania Commission. 
 
 18. Camp. The camp will be under the exclusive and absolute control of the 
 U. S. Government and this Commission is without authority to make assignment 
 of quarters. Requests for reservations should be forwarded direct to the Quarter- 
 master's Department, U. S. A., Gettysburg, Pa. 
 
 19. The State of New York provides transportation only to all vetearns. Union 
 and Confederate, residing in this State, no matter where they enlisted, so far as 
 
98 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 
 
 they can be accommodated at Gettysburg. It is hoped that other States will show 
 a like courtesy to New York veterans residing within their limits. 
 
 20. If you are a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, make your ap- 
 plication through your Post. 
 
 21. This Commission does not issue transportation to any battlefield but Gettys- 
 burg. 
 
 22. Confederate veterans residing in New York State will please transmit their 
 applications through General Henry T. Douglass, Commander U. C. V., 165 
 Broadway, New York City. 
 
 23. The Commission does not arrange for special trains. Posts or other or- 
 ganizations must deal directly with the railroad agent. 
 
 24. For price of round trip tickets apply to the ticket office at your point of 
 departure. 
 
 25. Transportation can be furnished by the Commission only by direct line and 
 continuous route. For any modifications apply to your railroad agent. 
 
 26. Application for railroad tickets must be made at the stations where such 
 tickets are sold. Inquiry of the agent a week in advance will save much incon- 
 venience and delay. 
 
 27. The Secretary of the Pennsylvania Commission which has general charge 
 of the celebration is Col. Lewis E. Beitler, Harrisburg, Pa. 
 
 28. All applications received after April 1st (the time limit) will be held in 
 abeyance until it is determined whether or not New York will be permitted to 
 send more than 10,000 veterans. More than that number have already filed appli- 
 cations, but it is anticipated a considerable proportion of these may not be able 
 to attend because of feebleness or other causes. 
 
CIRCULAR NO. 5 
 Commissioners 
 
 Major-Gen'l DANIEL E. SICKLES. U. S. A Col. CLINTON BECKWITH 
 
 Bvt. Brlg.-Gen'l ANSON G. McCOOK Bvt. Col. HORATIO C. KING 
 
 Col. LEWIS R. STEGMAN Bvt. Major THOMAS W. BRADLEY 
 Brie.-Gen'l HENRY D. HAMILTON, Adj.-Gen'l S. N. Y. 
 
 Brevet Colonel HORATIO C. KING, A. J. ZABRISKIE, 
 
 Chairman Engineer and Secretary 
 
 NEW YORK STATE COMMISSION 
 
 FOR THE 
 
 BATTLEFIELDS OF GETTYSBURG AND CHATTANOOGA. 
 
 APPOINTED A COMMISSION TO PLAN AND CONDUCT A PUBLIC 
 CELEBRATION OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSITY OF THE BATTLE OF 
 GETTYSBURG, JULY 1, 2, 3, 4, 1913 
 
 ROOM 1015, 116 NASSAU STREET, NEW YORK CITY 
 
 Telephone, Beekman 2883 
 
 May 1, 1913. 
 
 To Comrades of G. A. R. Posts and Special Notice to All New York Veterans: 
 
 Dear Comrades. — Up to date this Commission has received about lljOOO ap- 
 plications. Of these, a little over 4,000 applicants were connected with regiments 
 that participated in the battle of Gettysburg. 
 
 Many applications returned for correction will increase this number if sent 
 back by May 1st. Otherwise they may not receive any consideration. New appli- 
 cations received later than May 1st will be considered only if there is accommo- 
 dation for the applicants at Gettysburg. 
 
 From many sources comes the assurance that a very considerable proportion of 
 the applicants, because of physical disability, will not be able to attend the 
 celebration. In a single case the Post Commander informs us that out of sixty-nine 
 applicants only thirty will go. 
 
 This Commission is most anxious to provide transportation to every veteran 
 in this State, Union and Confederate, who can go. It is therefore of the utmost 
 importance that we may be informed as early as practicable of all deaths and of 
 all who are incapacitated. The applicant should not wait until the last minute 
 for transportation and then not use it. 
 
 The transportation certificate is not transferable, and the use of such a cer- 
 tificate by another is a misdemeanor and punishable by fine and imprisonment 
 or both. 
 
 The identification card which will be issued with the transportation certificate and 
 executed when the ticket is obtained, will prevent the use of the certificate by any 
 one except its lawful holder. 
 
 [99] 
 
100 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 
 
 In justice to those who can go and may not be accommodated because some 
 who are incapacitated do not decline, please notify their office at once or as soon 
 as practicable if, for any reason, you are unable to attend the celebration. 
 
 Post Commanders are respectfully urged to give this circular as wide publicity 
 as possible through your local papers and otherwise. 
 
 Fraternally yours, 
 
 HORATIO C. KING, 
 
 Chairman. 
 
CIRCULAR NO. 6 
 
 Commissioners Executive Committee 
 
 Col. CLINTON BECKWITH Col. CLINTON BECKWITH 
 
 Col. LEWIS R. STEGMAN Bri£.-Gen'l H. D. HAMILTON 
 
 Bvt. Col. HORATIO C. KING Col. LEWIS R. STEGMAN, Chairman 
 
 Brle.-Gen'l HENRY D. HAMILTON, the Ad].-Gen'l A. J. ZABRISKIE, Engineer and Secretary 
 
 NEW YORK MONUMENTS COMMISSION 
 
 FOR THE 
 
 BATTLEFIELDS OF GETTYSBURG, CHATTANOOGA AND 
 
 ANTIETAM 
 ROOM 1015, 116 NASSAU STREET, NEW YORK CITY 
 
 June 2, 1913. 
 
 Dear Comrade. — Your application for transportation to Gettysburg during the 
 period of the celebration there on the days of July 1-4, 1913, duly received. The 
 quota of the State of New York for transportation to the field has been limited 
 by the Pennsylvania and United States authorities to 10,000, over which number 
 we cannot go. We have at the present time on file 11,700 applications. The time 
 limit fixed for applications was up on April 1, 1913. This Commission has en- 
 deavored to be as generous as possible in the reception of applications since that 
 time, but it has reached its limit. At this late date we cannot receive any further 
 applications and the one which you have made is herewith returned to you. It is 
 too late to be taken into consideration. Very sorry. 
 
 Yours fraternally, 
 
 LEWIS R. STEGMAN, 
 
 Chairman. 
 
 Important — Read Carefully Notice on Other Side. 
 (Post Adjutant will fill out only this column.) 
 
 File No 
 
 Post No Order No 
 
 Location Railroad 
 
 County R. R. Station 
 
 Application for Transportation to Gettysburg, Pa. 
 50th Anniversary of the Battle, July 1, 2, 3, 4, 1913. 
 
 .191. 
 
 (Date) 
 New York Commission, 1 East Ninth Street, New York: 
 
 I , hereby make application for transportation 
 
 (Write clearly name in full) 
 
 from on 
 
 (Railroad line) 
 to Gettysburg, Pa., and return, via direct line only, to attend the public cele- 
 bration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg to take place on 
 that battlefield on the 1st, 2d, 3d and 4th days of July, 1913. 
 
 [101] 
 
102 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 
 
 I am an honorably discharged Union veteran of the War of the Rebellion, having 
 enlisted 186 , in 
 
 (Give rank, company and command in Army, Navy or Marine Corps) 
 
 and was honorably discharged from 
 
 (Give rank, company and command in Army, Navy or Marine Corps) 
 at on the day of 186 . 
 
 I am a resident of in the State of New York; my post 
 
 office address is given below. I am a member of G. A. R. Post No 
 
 Department of New York. 
 
 The number of my Pension Certificate is 
 
 (Veteran himself must sign here) 
 
 If signed by mark, one witness: Street and number 
 
 City or town 
 
 (Signature and address of witness to mark) 
 
 County New York 
 
 Certificate of Identification, 
 To be signed by the Commander and Adjutant of G. A. R. Post of which applicant 
 
 is a member. 
 
 I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with 
 
 (Name of applicant) 
 the applicant; that he was honorably discharged from the command above mentioned, 
 as appears in the descriptive list in the records of this Post; that he resides 
 
 as above stated ; that I have known him for years and know him to 
 
 be the person named in said discharge, as appears in the records of the Post and 
 in this application. 
 
 Post Commander. 
 
 Attest: 
 
 Post Adjutant. 
 Dated 1913. 
 
 Important Notice — Read Carefully 
 
 If the applicant cannot write plainly, he will request some one who writes 
 legibly to fill in the blank spaces on this application, but he must sign this applica- 
 tion personally. 
 
 If he served in two or more commands he need only give those in which he 
 enlisted and from which he received an honorable discharge, giving in each case 
 the dates of his enlistment and discharge; also designating his rank, company and 
 command in the Army, Navy or Marine Corps. 
 
 This Commission desires that the veterans from each County assemble, as far 
 as practicable, and entrain at some conveniently central point in the county, or, 
 if preferred, at two or three points where there are a large number of veterans 
 and where, if the aggregate of passengers be sufficient, special train service could 
 
BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 103 
 
 be arranged by the officers of the Grand Army Post. It is therefore hoped that 
 the applicant, before naming his selection of railroad station and railway line on 
 this blank, will confer with his comrades with a view of securing harmony of 
 action and a mutually satisfactory determination upon this important question. 
 
 Notice must be promptly sent to the Commission of any change of address. 
 If by reason of illness or from other causes the veteran, after filing his application 
 for transportation, is unable to go, notice to that effect must be mailed without 
 delay to the office of this Commission. 
 
 Enclose a self-addressed postal card if applicant wishes the receipt of this 
 application acknowledged by the Commission. 
 
 This application will be filed, but action thereon is subject to an appropriation 
 by the State providing the moneys required to meet the expenditure. 
 
 No application will be received after May 1, 1913. 
 
 Was your regiment in the battle of Gettysburg? 
 
 Were you with the regiment in that battle? 
 
 Important — Read Carefully Notice on Other Side. 
 
 Location File No 
 
 County Order No 
 
 Railroad R. R. Station 
 
 Application for Transportation to Gettysburg, Pa. 
 50th Anniversary of the Battle, July 1, 2, 3, 4, 1913. 
 
 191.. 
 
 (Date) 
 New York Commission, 1 East Ninth Street, New York: 
 
 I, , hereby make application for transportation 
 
 (Write clearly name in full) 
 
 from on 
 
 (Railroad line) 
 to Gettysburg, Pa., and return, via direct line only, to attend the public cele- 
 bration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg to take place on 
 that battlefield on the 1st, 2d, 3d and 4th days of July, 1913. 
 
 I am an honorably discharged Union veteran of the War of the Rebellion, 
 
 iiaving enlisted 18G , in 
 
 (Give rank, companyand command in Army, 'Navy or Marine Corps) 
 
 and was honorably discharged from 
 
 (Give rank, company and command in Army, Navy or Marine Corps) 
 
 on the day of 186 . 
 
 I am a resident of in the State of New York ; my post 
 
 ofiice address is given below. I am a member of G. A. R. Post No 
 
 Department of New York. 
 
 (Veteran himself must sign here) 
 
 One witness : Street and number 
 
 City or town 
 
 (Signature and address of witness) 
 
 County New York 
 
104 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 
 
 Certificatk of Identification 
 To be signed by either the Postmaster, Justice of the Peace, Notary Public, or 
 President of a duly organized New York State Civil War Veteran Association of 
 which the applicant is a member. 
 
 I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with 
 
 (Name of applicant) 
 the applicant; that I have examined the official certificate of his honorable discharge 
 
 from the command above mentioned; or his pension certificate No ; that 
 
 he resides as above stated ; that I have known him for years and know 
 
 him to be the identical person named in said discharge or pension certificate, and 
 in this application. 
 
 Address 
 
 (Signature) 
 
 Dated 
 
 (Official title) 
 
 Important Notice — Read Carefully 
 
 If the applicant cannot write plainly, he will request some one who writes 
 legibly to fill in the blank spaces on this application, but he must sign this applica- 
 tion personally. 
 
 If he served in two or more commands he need only give those in which he 
 enlisted and from which he received an honorable discharge, giving in each case 
 the dates of his enlistment and discharge; also designating his rank, company and 
 command in the Army, Navy or Marine Corps. 
 
 This Commission desires that the veterans from each County assemble, as far 
 as practicable, and entrain at some conveniently central point in the county, or, 
 if preferred, at two or three points where there are a large number of veterans 
 and where, if the aggregate of passengers be sufficient, special train service could 
 be arranged by the officers of the Grand Army Post. It is therefore hoped that 
 the applicant, before naming his selection of railroad station and railway line on 
 this blank, will confer with his comrades in the locality where he resides, with a 
 view of securing harmony of action and a mutually satisfactory determination upon 
 this important question. 
 
 Do not write in the blank spaces at the top of the application as these will be 
 filled in at the office of the Commission for ready reference by our office force. 
 
 Notice must be promptly sent to the Commission of any change of address. 
 If by reason of illness or from other causes the veteran, after filing his application 
 for transportation, is unable to go, notice to that effect must be mailed without delay 
 to the office of this Commission. 
 
 Enclose a self-addressed postal card if applicant wishes the receipt of this 
 application acknowledged by the Commission. 
 
 This application will be filed, but action thereon is subject to an appropriation 
 by the State providing the moneys required to meet the expenditure. 
 
 No application will be received after May 1, 1913. 
 
BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 
 
 105 
 
 VOID IF ALTERED OR PRESENTED AFTER JULY 3, 1913 
 
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106 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 
 
 To be Carried in Your Poclcet During the Gettysburg 
 Reunion 
 
 Member G. A. R. Post No. 
 
 Member U. C. V. Camp No. 
 
 ^ g Post Office Address of G. A. R. 1 p.. q. . 
 
 «•" Post or U. C. V. Camp J ' ^ 
 
 In case of SICKNESS or ACCIDENT please communicate 
 
 S* "with 
 
 *■> 
 
 3 Name in Full 
 
 n 
 
 Post Office Address i ^t o^ .^ 
 
 , ^ ? No Street . 
 
 Number and Street 
 
 City State . 
 
 To be Carried in Your Pocket During the Gettysburg 
 Reunion 
 
 To be Carried in Your Pocket During the Gettysburg 
 Reunion 
 
 Name in Full. 
 
 8 Post Office Address \ ,t _. 
 ^ .^ ^^ , , ^ ? No Street 
 
 I— I JN umber and Street J 
 
 CO 
 
 E«5 City State 
 
 X! 
 
 ■M 
 
 M Age years, Height ft in.. Weight lbs. 
 
 To be Carried in Your Pocket During the Gettysburg 
 Reunion