CHAPTER XXI.

MICHIGAN DAY AT GETTYSBURG.

IMPORTANCE OF THE BATTLE NATIONAL CEMETERY.

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ETTYSBURG was the greatest conflict of the Civil War. On no other of the many battlefields of that four years' struggle was there such equality of numbers, or greater strategic issues at stake; troops from more States, on either side, or greater valor displayed on both sides; more bloodshed or a greater number of casualties. Gettysburg not only marked the recession of the highest tide of the Rebellion, but it formed an epoch in the history of the ages, and will ever be classed among the few decisive battles of the world, with Arbela, Cheronea, Pharsalia and Waterloo. It was the only battle fought on Northern soil, not mentioning South Mountain and Antietam the year before, fought in the border slave State of Maryland. At the time of the battle a motion was pending in the British parliament for the recognition of the Southern Confederacy. Upon the first intelligence from America of the results of that battle, the above motion was indefinitely postponed, and thus all prospect of foreign intervention, the only hope of Confederate success, was forever lost.

More attention has been paid to the issues involved, the details, strategic movements, plans and results of this battle than many others. It was recognized at once by both sides in the struggle and by disinterested foreigners, as the most important battle that far, and in a few months was made conspicuous from other fields by a national dedication in which President Lincoln delivered the epic which will be as lasting as his fame. For three days the contending hosts fought and 40,000 men lay dead and wounded on the field. Of the 400 Union regiments, all of which distinguished themselves for valor there, Detroit sent forth the one which suffered the greatest number of casualties. According to "Fox's Book of Regimental Losses," this melancholy honor belongs to the Twenty-fourth Michigan Infantry of the Iron Brigade.

The Union dead at Gettysburg were buried in trenches, and wherever convenient, after the battle. Later, a tract of seventeen

acres on Cemetery Hill, south of the town and adjoining the village (Evergreen) burial ground, was purchased for a soldiers' national cemetery. The removal of the Federal dead thereto began October 17, 1863, and consumed five months. This national cemetery was dedicated November 19, 1863, when President Lincoln delivered his singularly impressive address which succinctly stated the whole issues of the war, and will ever be a most wonderful American classic.

In 1864, the Michigan Legislature, in unison with the action of other loyal States, appropriated $3,500 for the improvements of the cemetery and, in 1865, $2,500 for completing them and keeping it in repair. Union soldiers from eighteen States are there buried. A national monument sixty feet high occupies the crown of the hill, around which, in semi-circular slopes, are arranged the graves. Alleys and State dividing-walks separate the grounds into twenty-two sections; one for the regular army, one for each State, and three for the "unknown dead." The graves are uniformly graded, and the headstones of equal size, nine inches above ground and ten inches of upper surface for inscription of name, company and regiment. Just inside the cemetery entrance stands a colossal bronze statue of General Reynolds, on monument base, erected by the State of Pennsylvania.

The cemetery is a most beautiful place, the national monument and grounds costing $150,000. It contains 3,583 graves of soldiers, 979 of whom have only the word "unknown" for their epitaph. Michigan stands third in the number slain and first in rank of population. The Michigan lot contains 172 known dead. The frequent names of the Twenty-fourth Michigan are seen among them. The rest lie in the "unknown" lot, except such as were removed by friends to burial grounds at home. Rev. Dr. Potts, in his memorial. address there, truly said: "It is an honor to rest on such a spot as this. I could wish no higher honor for my mortal frame than to be laid by my comrades in this beautiful retreat."

THE MICHIGAN MONUMENTS.

A few years ago the Second Massachusetts Infantry erected on Culp's Hill, where it fought, a monument to its dead. The plan thus originated, of marking with monuments, the positions of regiments on that battlefield, was first adopted by that State, and soon other States emulated the good example, until 300 monuments may be seen on the field, erected by the States under the auspices of the