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The South and North Bury Strife
Each State Participating in the Battle Has a Separate Dedication -
Gov. Claude Matthews, of Indiana, Makes a Sensible Speech -
Campbell's Tribute to the Lost Cause -
McKinley on Hand
Chattanooga, Tennessee, September 18 - Chattanooga extends a burning welcome to her thousands of visitors. The heat is unusual, even for the sunny Southland, and natives and strangers alike suffer.
The principal event of the morning was the arrival of Governor McKinley and party, from Knoxville.
The day preliminary to the formal dedication of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Park, was devoted largely to the exercises connected with the dedication of State Monuments, erected at various points within the park. Owing to the absence of Secretary Lamont, the monuments were presented in each instance to General Fullerton, president of the National Park Commission. Michigan led off in this pleasing and patriotic service, the commission occupying for that purpose the platform on Snodgrass Hill, on which the general dedication exercises will take place tomorrow.
The monuments and markers erected upon the battlefield of Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Missionary Ridge and Orchard Knob were presented to Governor Rich by Captain and ex-Congressman C. E. Belknap, president of the State Park Commission. The Michigan organizations taking part in the campaigns and battles were the Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, Thirteenth, Twenty first, Twenty second Regiment's Infantry; Second and Fourth Calvary, First Engineers and Mechanics, and Batteries A and D, First Light Artillery. Captain Belknap described the locations of the several monuments and markers and said: “As the grand work of the park progresses Michigan will be known, not only at Chickamauga, but at Wauhatchie, Brown's Ferry, Chattanooga, Orchard Knob, Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. Although 1,500 of Michigan's sons gave up their lives in these campaigns and battles, yet the monuments are not mortuary, but monuments to liberty and to civilization, not to create a felling of sadness but a thrill of patriotism and of love to the soldier who fought for his county.”
After Governor Rich had accepted the monuments on behalf of the State, General Henry M. Duffield, of Detroit, who commanded the Ninth Regiment in the war, delivered an elegant oration.
The monuments were then turned over to General Fullerton and with prayer by Rev. Washington Gardner, Secretary of State, the exercises ended.
The Ohio dedication followed, under direction of General John Beatty, president of the board of commissioners. This was the most elaborate and notable event of the day. Bishop Joyce, of the Methodist Church, offered prayer and addresses were made by General Chas. H. Grosvener, ex-Governor James E. Campbell, and General Aquila Wiley, who turned the monuments over to Governor McKinley, and he in turn to General Fullerton. Members and officers of the State Commission, also spoke Governor Campbell's address was largely a eulogy upon General Fred Vanderver, a fellow-townsman, who took an active part in the battle. He said, “We cannot forget that in those portions of our country where the palmetto and cypress tower in luxuriant beauty, and the cane and cotton make the scarred earth to smile again, there are other soldiers as brave as ours. True it is, that they did not read the inscription on our side of the shield, but upon the other side - that side which was turned toward them, and which alone they could see; true it is, that reading thereon, the false inscription and believing it, they fought for their beliefs with a courage and desperation not excelled in human war fares; but equally true it is that today, those same hearts beat with the most loyal and patriotic impulses, however bitter may have been the sting of defeat. Their valor and fortitude, when time shall have mingled the blood of generations, will become a proud heritage for the common posterity of both sectors.”
Illinois dedicated her monuments at the Widow Glenn's house, which was Thomas' headquarters. The address was delivered by Governor Altgeld.
A Distinguished gathering marked the dedication of the Indiana monuments at the camp and established Cave Springs. Besides Governor Claude Matthews, the occasion presented as speakers the soldier author. General Lew Wallace, Col. I. N. Walker, the newly elected Grand Commander of the G.A.R., General J. R. Carnahan and Judge D. B.
McConwell, of the Ninth Indiana Infantry. After reviewing the part taken in the battle by Indiana troops, speaking of the acceptance by all of the results of the conflict. Governor Matthews said “Here is given stern rebuke to the narrow souls which yet would prate of dissension, or sectional strife and hate. The lessons for the world from this battlefield will be that, forgiven but not forgotten, the great muse of strife, the American people, whether from the North of from the South, are brothers in sympathy and heart and purpose, marching steadily on, hand in hand, to achieve that grander destiny which awaits us as a nation in the future, as one people, of one country, and under one flag”.
Kelly's field was occupied by the Wisconsin people near where stands the monument erected to the First Regiment of that State. Rev. Jackson E. Webster, chaplain of the Tenth Wisconsin, opened with prayer. Addresses were made by Governor W. H. Upham, ex-Governor Hoard, W. W. Watkins, chairman of the State board, and others.
Missouri and Pennsylvania commissions had expected to dedicate their monuments, or some of them today, but found that they were incomplete. The Pennsylvania monuments were in the shape of bronze panels, which it is the intention to bolt to the rocks on the face of Lookout Mountain. The Pennsylvania ceremony has been postponed until November 18th. The Missouri until date is yet to be fixed.
Secretary Herbert delivered an oration during the day, alluding especially to the fraternal feeling now prevailing between the sections.
The meeting of the Society of the Army of the Cumberland, called for today, was postponed until Saturday. Captain W. W. Carnes of Memphis, went into camp this morning with a company of Tennessee National Guards, every member of which served in the Confederate Army.
Charlotte Observer - September 19, 1895
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