TWO HISTORIC BATTLE-FIELDS
many of these ledges, and only the charred stumps remain of the
once majestic oak groves.
The Bloody Cornfield, where regiments lost eighty-three per
cent, of their men, is farmed to-day as in 1862, and the old
sunken road, in which the dead and dying lay five deep, still re
mains, but lias since passed into history as the Bloody Bane.
Another historic spot is the Dunkard Church, which still bears
the marks of shot and shell. The old Burnside Bridge, where
President McKinley won his medal for bravery, is in perfect con
dition, notwithstanding the lapse of more than one-third of a cen
tury. Macadam avenues have been built by the government to
nearly all points of interest, but much remains to be done in order
that the old landmarks shall be preserved.
More than three hundred iron tablets have been placed along
the avenues and roads, describing briefly the commands, locations,
and movements of both armies. A stone tower fifty feet high
has been erected near the centre of the field, from the top of
which can be seen all points of historic interest, as well as the
beautiful surrounding country. The National Cemetery contains
ten acres, and is a fine specimen of the engineers’ art. The
national monument stands near the centre, and the 4,610 soldiers
are buried in sections similar to those in the Gettysburg Ceme
tery. Only fifteen monuments have been erected, but time alone
will tell what the loyal States will do on this field in commemora
tion of the fallen dead who gave up their lives ‘' that this gov
ernment of the people, by the people, and for the people shall not
perish from the earth.”
H. W. Mattern, ’93.