Introduction: "a new thing under the sun" -- "All overgrown with trees and underwood" -- "A western Gettysburg" -- "Asking the aid of Congress" -- "The Commission has made good progress" -- "A great dedication ceremony" -- "The work-- has been materially advanced" -- "We harbored the whole United States Army" -- The age of Boynton -- "There was no king in Israel" -- "We are the rock of Chickamauga" -- "Expired under the limitation of the act of Congress" -- Conclusion -- Appendix 1: enabling legislation -- Appendix 2: national military park commissioners -- Appendix 3: list of superintendents.