Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 16.djvu/349

 The Blue and the (fray United. 343

lands, laying out of roads and avenues, the erection of suitable memo- rial structures, etc. The property of the Association " shall not be subject to attachment or execution, and the lands acquired for the purpose of said Association, with its personal property and the im- provements and appurtenances, shall be forever exempt from taxation and also from the payment of an enrollment tax."

The Association is managed by a President and Board of twenty - one Directors, elected annually by the members, together with the ex officio Directors from States contributing to its support. The membership fee is ten dollars, entitling the party to a handsome steel- plated engraved certificate, a vote in person or by proxy in the elec- tion of officers of the Association, and participation in its general management. A large majority of the certificates of membership are now held by veterans and Posts of the Grand Army of the Republic, who thereby control the franchises of the Association. Its aims and purposes are national, with a membership widely scattered over different States.

By the charter the Governor of Pennsylvania is made ex-officio President of the Association, and the Governors of such States as shall, by legislative appropriation, contribute funds for its support are made ex -officio members of the Board of Directors, with power (if unable to be present) to substitute, under the official seal of the State, some one of its citizens to represent the State in the meetings of this Board. In furtherance of its design, the Association, from time to time, as funds in the treasury justified, has purchased land, and now holds in fee simple nearly five hundred acres, embracing the grove where General Reynolds fell, the two Round Tops, the Wheat Field, East Cemetery Hill, Gulp's Hill, the entire Union line of battle from Cemetery Hill to Round Top, the Union line of battle from Fairfield road to Mummasburg road, etc. It has also the care and custody of about forty acres of land owned by General Crawford, including the 44 Devil's Den" and the ground lying between the Wheat Field and the Round Tops. About thirteen miles of driveway along the Union lines, reaching various points of interest, have been constructed, a large portion of which is substantially inclosed with wire fence.

In the case of Chickamauga the incorporation of the Association would be under the laws of Georgia. The Governors of each State that might co-operate would be members of the Board of Directors. In the Union army eleven States had troops in the battle, besides the forces of the regular army. In the Confederate army every Confederate State and Kentucky and Missouri were represented.