From the Mathews Journal of July 10, 1913:

"It must have been an inspiring sight at Gettysburg last week when the heroes of the blue and gray clasped hands in mutual admiration, esteem and friendship. Fifty years ago while thousands of cannon belched forth flame and death these same men grappled in bloody conflict, each willing to die in defense of what he believed to be right. What a tremendous contrast in these two scenes—the one so typical of war which has rightly been described as hell—the other exhaling the sweet beneficent air of peace. Those heroes of Gettysburg may speak with a pride that is pardonable of their exploits of former days but they should be prouder still of the glorious advance of our reunited country and thankful for the assurance that never again will friends and brothers be brought into conflict by civil war.

"More than 20,000 veterans attended the reunion."

To this sentiment, written 100 years ago about the men who were a...