1913 Gettysburg reunion
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Location | Gettysburg National Military Park, Adams County, Pennsylvania in United States |
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Website | United States Department of War |
The 1913 Gettysburg reunion was a
Despite official concerns "that there might be unpleasant differences, at least, between the blue and gray"
Planning
After numerous smaller Gettysburg reunions, including the 1906 Philadelphia Brigade/Pickett's Division reunion, during which Brig. Gen. Lewis Armistead's captured sword was returned to the South,[10] in April 1908 General Henry S. Huidekoper of Philadelphia suggested a 1913 50th anniversary reunion to Pennsylvania Governor Edwin Sydney Stuart.[1]: 178 On September 8,[11]: '13 the Gettysburg National Park Commission met with Gettysburg borough officials about the event, Stuart conducted a sub-committee meeting on October 25, and Stuart addressed the General Assembly on the matter in January 1909.[1]: 178
On May 13, 1909, the Pennsylvania Assembly created the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg Commission,[12] and the commission's "first tentative programme" of October 13, 1910[11]: '13 included a "Peace Jubilee", with noon July 3 placement of the cornerstone for a "Great Peace Memorial".[1]: 173 The August 26, 1912, US Congress bill appropriated $150,000 and directed the War Department to establish the camp.[1]: 181 Because the memorial funding was not approved, the "Peace Jubilee" plans were removed from the schedule.
The site for the camp and the 8 acres (3.2 ha) for the Great Tent west of the Codori House were selected in 1912 and mapped by the Gettysburg National Park Commission.
The Pennsylvania commission headquarters at Gettysburg was at 231 Baltimore Street,[1]: 22 with the Harrisburg office of the Secretary (later nicknamed the "Duke of Gettysburg")[14] in Pennsylvania State Capitol Room 509. Various commemorative tokens and programs were developed for attendees, including three types of Pennsylvania badges ("PRESS", "GUEST", "SCOUT"), a commemorative medal,[15]: 8 and a souvenir program of poems by the attending "Veteran Scout", Jack Crawford.[16] The Pennsylvania Railroad Company added "a telephone line between Gettysburg and Hanover along the Western Maryland Railway, over which the Pennsy [would] operate a large number of trains during the battle anniversary".[17]: 1 On the Chambersburg-Gettysburg turnpike and the Gettysburg-Petersburg turnpike, tolls ended in time for the reunion. On June 27, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld the 1911 Sproul Roads Act, by which the Commonwealth acquired private toll roads and made them free for the public.[14]: 1 [relevant?]
By February 1, 1913, water wells were being drilled for the July encampment,[15]: 7 and by June 26 hotels in Hanover, Chambersburg, Hagerstown, and "the Blue Ridge section [were] filling rapidly".[18] For entertainment, a Gettysburg facility was started in 1912 to display the Boston version of the Gettysburg Cyclorama and the Encyclopedia of the American Civil War: A Political, Social, and Military History, and the now-lost The Battle of Gettysburg film was first run at Walter's Theatre on June 26.[18] Local planning for the reunion included expanding the Gettysburg hackman's tax to apply to automobiles[19] (upheld by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in 1914), a 50-cent maximum for taxi fares in the borough,[20] and an obscure request from a few Missouri veterans regarding the availability near Gettysburg of "a few good widows or old maids … good housekeepers and not too young" to go west after the reunion. (The "kind-hearted mayor", J. A. Holtzworth, agreed to forward photos to the veterans in the "Cupid … operations".)[21]
Facilities
The War Department's Great Camp (Gettysburg Encampment, Anniversary Camp, Veterans Camp)[1]: 40, 71, 87, 91 provided tents and support facilities for the Civil War veterans and extended from both sides of Long Lane on the north [1] to within 500 yd (460 m) of the Bliss House.[22] The Great Camp included the Great Tent (Big Tent, measuring 200 ft × 450 ft [61 m × 137 m])[11]: '14 "with its thirteen thousand chairs"; the veterans' tents; quarters for 1,466 War Department soldiers (including camp commander Gen. Liggitt) & 2,179 mess personnel; 385 camp Boy Scouts from Washington; and other camp personnel for a total of 57,198 "persons quartered and subsisted in the Great Camp".[1]: 40 The camp had a temporary U. S. Post Office;[1]: 84b 90 Pennsylvania Health Department latrines throughout the camp with a seating capacity of 3,476;[23]: 58 and near the Great Tent, an Emergency Station and 2 Comfort Houses of the health dept, which also supplied the Great Tent water fountains.[24]: 75 The Pennsylvania commission also set up a temporary morgue in the camp.[23]: 56 A special platform on the Round Top Branch was built for veterans to disembark from steam trains directly into the camp[17] (in February, trolleys of the Gettysburg Electric Railway had been prohibited from using the branch).[15]
After the state health department's Chief Engineer had estimated Gettysburg (pop. 4,500) would be inundated with 100,000 people, the borough agreed to the Commissioner of Health's request for his department to take over medical and sanitation efforts in the area from June 25–July 25.
Attached to the Great Camp were a battery of the Third United States Field Artillery and several companies of Regular Infantry.
Events
The Commission planned a four-day series of events, with each day dedicated to a different group:
Anticipating that some veterans might arrive early, especially those traveling distances, the Great Camp was opened for supper on June 29.
In more pre-Camp activities, on June 30 the 1912 base of the Virginia Monument was dedicated; the remainder of the monument was completed later.[8]
- July 1
- Veterans' Day, included a speech by John Wanamaker of Philadelphia, the major department store developer and philanthropist.[27]
- July 2
- Military Day, included an address by a military officer recommending a stronger military in this period of increasing tensions in Europe, where the Great War broke out in July 1914; a reading of the Gettysburg Address; and a review of the Virginia division at Seminary Ridge by their governor.[28] At night, an impromptu Union raid on the Confederate side of the Great Camp resulted in joint parades and camp fires following the "charge".[28]
- July 3
- Civic/Governors' Day had 65 unit reunions,[1]: 133 the dedication of the General William Wells statue;[11]: '14 and a Webb/Pickett flag ceremony at the Bloody Angle on the hour of Pickett's Charge.[1] Vice President Thomas R. Marshall and his wife, Speaker of the House Champ Clark, eight Senators, and 21 Congressmen were among officials who arrived that day for events.[29] In the Great Tent from 4:30–6 p.m. was the New York Veterans' Celebration, which included a speech by Colonel Andrew Cowan, in which he again proposed a Gettysburg peace memorial.[1]: 153–165 The fireworks by the Pain Fireworks Display Company [30] at 9 p.m. included "gigantic set pieces covering the entire face and crest of Little Round Top".[1]: 171
- July 4
- National Day, the Pennsylvania State Memorial was dedicated; eight statues had been installed in April as part of it. President Woodrow Wilsonarrived at 11 a.m. in a special train car, traveled through the borough, and entered the Great Tent through two rows of Boy Scouts. Wilson addressed the audience in the Big Tent about national unity, and departed the camp after the National Anthem was played. (Attendees similarly returned to their quarters).
At noon, a five-minute tribute was held in silence for "Our Heroic Dead": people throughout the area stood at 'Attention',e.g., at the "College Hotel" and "Seminary Hotel". The Tribute began with a bugle salute blown over the camp while the Gettysburg bells in the distance tolled noon. The remaining minutes of silence were punctuated by periodic artillery firing from the distance. From 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., 7,147 automobiles used the national park roads as visitors departed.[11]
Some 12,000 veterans had already left on July 2 and about the same number on July 3.[28] An unusual event took place on the evening of July 2 at the Hotel Gettysburg. W. B. Henry, a Southerner living in Philadelphia, erupted in violence after saying a "vile epithet" for President Lincoln and causing an argument at his table. A Union man threw his drink at Henry, who stabbed and slashed men at the table and on his way out to the street before being apprehended.[31] The Virginia governor spoke to officials on behalf of Henry. His father, who had been a major in the C.S.A., posted bail for his son.[31] The victims, all but one of whom was taken to a hospital, were all expected to recover, and most were released from the hospital the next day.[31]
Dismantling of the Great Camp began immediately after the July 4 Tribute. The hospital closed on July 5, and the last veteran left on July 8. The
To commemorate the 1913 Gettysburg reunion, a colonial portico was opened in May 1914 at the Seminary's Old Dorm.[35] (Only the concrete base remains.)[36] In 1938 the Eternal Light Peace Memorial was erected on Oak Ridge, north of Gettysburg.
The Congressional committee used the name Celebration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, but other organizations and officials used numerous other names:
· Celebration of the Semi-Centenary of the Civil War
· Gettysburg Celebration · Reunion Celebration at Gettysburg
· Gettysburg Reunion · Gettysburg Peace Reunion
· Great Peace Reunion · Great Peace Jubilee · Golden Jubilee
· Great Reunion · Grand Reunion · Blue and Gray Reunion
and in a souvenir program of poems: Grand Reunion of the Blue and the Gray on the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg[16]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v Beitler, Lewis Eugene (December 31, 1913). Fiftieth Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg: Report of the Pennsylvania Commission (Google Books) (Report). Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Wm. Stanley Bay (state printer). Retrieved February 6, 2011.
- ^ McCann, Erin (July 1, 2013). "Civil war veterans at Gettysburg anniversary in 1913 – in pictures". The Guardian. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
- LCCN 83080606.
Pennsylvanians made up the bulk of them: 22,103 to be exact, 303 of whom were Confederate veterans. Yet men came from all but 2 of the 48 states.
- ^ "Attendance Figures for 1913 and 1938 Gettysburg Reunions". Segway Tours of Gettysburg Blog. September 20, 2014. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
- ^ Tapscott, Logan (November 17, 2011). "Pennsylvania College During the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg". The Gettysburg Compiler. Archived from the original on March 9, 2018. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
- ^ "The Peace Memorial Bill: Speech of Colonel Andrew Cowan of Louisville" (Google News Archive). Gettysburg Compiler. April 18, 1914. Retrieved February 2, 2011.
- ^ "The Gettysburg Reunion" (Google Books). Report of the Pennsylvania Commission. March 29, 1913. Retrieved February 7, 2011.
- ^ a b "Pathetic Night Scene in Veterans' Great Reunion" (Google News Archive). The Pittsburgh Press. July 1, 1913. Retrieved February 28, 2011.
Yesterday afternoon … the dedication of the Lee uncompleted [Virginia] monument took place.
- ^ "Wilson Here for One Hour". Adams County News. June 28, 1913. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
- ^ Frazier, John W (1906). Reunion of the Blue and Gray: Philadelphia Brigade and Pickett's Division (Google Books). Philadelphia: Ware Bros, Company, Printers. Retrieved February 6, 2011.
- ^ War Department. "The United States land on the battlefield is used by the Quartermaster's Department for camp site No. 1. Part of the farm (formerly Codori) of William F. Redding, lessee, approximately 28 acres, also tract (formerly Barrett heirs) and part of the farm (formerly McMillan), both properties rented to the Quartermaster Corps, U.S.A., by O. D. McMillan, 56 acres; a total of 84 acres." (1913 report) "The Pennsylvania Commission, a congressional committee, and State representatives, composing a joint commission. They have had various meetings as the work developed. The first meeting was held in Gettysburg at the courthouse October 13, 1910, noted in the annual report for 1911. There were other meetings held elsewhere. A meeting was held at Gettysburg December 13, 1912, at Hotel Gettysburg. The next meeting was held at the Union League, Philadelphia, January 23, 24, and 25, 1913. ... This great project, which was inaugurated September 8, 1908, by the chairman of the Gettysburg National Park Commission" (after the April 1908 idea of General Henry S. Huidekoper)
- ^ "Civil War Veterans To Meet On Gettysburg Battlefield" (Google News Archive). The Hudson Independent. May 30, 1913. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
- ^ Loski, Diana. "The Pennsylvania Memorial: A Centennial". GettysburgExperience.com. Archived from the original on November 28, 2010. Retrieved February 3, 2011.
- ^ a b "50th Anniversary Is Here & Toll Free to Gettysburg" (Google News). Gettysburg Compiler. July 2, 1913. Retrieved February 7, 2011. (GDG.org Microsoft Word version, Quick View version)
- ^ a b c "Railroad Blocks Trolley Plans" & "Medals for the Gettysburg Men" (Google News Archives). Adams County News. February 8, 1913. Retrieved January 22, 2011. (Gettysburg Times, Feb 1)
- ^ a b Crawford, John Wallace "Jack" (1913), A Prayer and a Benediction … and Other Poems from his new book, archived from the original (listing, Cowan's Auctions) on July 8, 2011, retrieved February 7, 2011
- ^ a b c d e "Expecting Many More Veterans & Railroad Telephone" (Google News Archives). Adams County News. June 28, 1913. Retrieved February 7, 2011.
- ^ a b c "Walter's Theatre ….Here…. The Battle Of Gettysburg", "First Boys in Gray Here, & "Many Cancel Reservations" (Google News Archive). Gettysburg Times. Times and News Publishing Company. June 26, 1913. Retrieved February 7, 2011.
- ^ Gettysburg Times - Google News Archive Search
- ^ Gettysburg Times - Google News Archive Search
- ^ "Chance for Local Husband Hunters" (Google News Archives). Gettysburg Times. Times and News Publishing Company. June 2, 1913. Retrieved February 7, 2011.
- ^ "Veteran's Joyful Over Camp's End". The Day. New London, Connecticut. July 3, 1913. Retrieved February 2, 2011 – via Google News Archives.
- ^ a b c Bradley, A. E. (Lieut. Colonel) (October 24, 1913). Office of Chief Surgeon Report (Google Books). Report of the Pennsylvania Commission (Report). Medical Corps, U. S. Army. Retrieved February 6, 2011.
The youngest veteran known to have been at the camp was 61 years of age. The oldest alleged that he was 112 years.
(p. 60) - ^ a b c d Dixon, Samuel G (December 15, 1913). Commissioner's Report (Google Books). Report of the Pennsylvania Commission (Report). Pennsylvania Department of Health. Retrieved February 6, 2011.
- ^ "Many Students Will Be Here" (Google News Archive). Adams County News. June 7, 1913. Retrieved February 7, 2011.
- ^ "Out Of The Past: From the Files of the Star and Sentinel and The Gettysburg Times". Gettysburg Times. July 15, 1963.
- ^ John Wanamaker, by William Zulker
- ^ a b c "March on Rebs: Blues Advanced on the Grays Wednesday Night", "Many Leaving", "Reviewed Virginians"" (Google News Archives). Gettysburg Times. Times and News Publishing Company. July 3, 1913. Retrieved February 8, 2011.
- ^ "Marshall and Clark In Town". Gettysburg Times. July 3, 1913. Retrieved June 30, 2019.
- ^ "Large Fireworks Display July 3". Gettysburg Times. June 10, 1913.
- ^ a b c "Eight Stabbed at Local Hotel". Gettysburg Times. July 3, 1913. Retrieved June 30, 2019.
- ^ "Gettysburg Times - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com.
- ^ "Adams County News - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com.
- ^ "Youngstown Vindicator - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com.
- ^ "Adams County News - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com.
- ^ The Hospital on Seminary Ridge at the Battle of Gettysburg, McFarland & Company, 2002
Further reading
- Flagel, Thomas R. (2019). War, Memory, and the 1913 Gettysburg Reunion. Kent, OH: Kent State University Press.
- Heiser, John (September 1998). "The Great Reunion of 1913". National Park Service. Retrieved August 15, 2008.