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Show LIBRARY OF CONGRESS GETTYSBURG REUNION question of the conflict.” 46 Veterans—both Most veterans traveled to and Union and Confederate—were encouraged from the Gettysburg reunion by to “wear their army, corps, division, brigade train. and society badges, as a means of identification to their comrades in like commands” to assist in “bringing together comrades who would otherwise, by reason of lapse of time, fail to recognize each other.”47 The first Confederate veterans arrived at Gettysburg on June 26. “With their uniforms of gray topped by campaign hats the southerners soon became the central figures on the streets and scarcely a person they passed failed to stop and ask the privilege of a hand shake.” As a measure of the healing power of time, “the men in blue” extended them the warmest welcome.48 The first Union veterans arrived the following day when the GAR Department of Pennsylvania held a state encampment preceding the reunion. As Pennsylvania GAR Union veterans paraded through the streets of Gettysburg, the “old soldiers in the blue and in the gray” met them “with cheers and salutes.”49 While the focus of the commemoration was clearly on Civil War veterans, the GAR quickly pointed out that the commemoration was “by no means 46 “Raise Funds,” April 17, 1913; “Orders to G.A.R. Issued,” Salt Lake Herald-Republican, June 8, 1913. “Meet on Battlefield,” June 12, 1913. 48 “Vanguard Reaches Gettysburg,” June 27, 1913; “Pennsylvania G.A.R. Encampment Opens Gettysburg Reunion,” Salt Lake Herald-Republican, June 28, 1913. 49 “Pennsylvania G.A.R. Encampment,” June 28, 1913. 47 277 |
