Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-04-25
THEY WORE THE GRAY
Reunion of Ex-Confederates at Biz
mingham, Ala.
OVER THIRTY THOUSAND VISITORS
Ten Thousand Gathered in the
Convention Hall.
GEN. GoRDoN's RECEPTION

BIRMINGHAM. Ala, April 25.-People
from all over the south and many from the
north are flocking to Birmingham to at
tend the great confederate reunion. Ex-
tensive preparations have been made for
their reception. The streets are filled with
people. Manned soldiers, some with one
leg and one arm and some with no legs or
arms at all. have greeted their comrades
with a greeting such as can be given only
by a band who fought together for years
for lost cause.
All day trains have been coming In load
ed down with passengers. The regular
trains on all the roads have had extra
coaches put on and many trains have run
in sections. Special trains from Mobile,
New Orleans and other points have been
crowded and standing room was at a
premium. Over 10000 visitors are within
the corporate limits Of Birmingham and
more are constantly arriving. Estimates OF
the crowd from New Orleans is made at
1900. Corresponding estimates are made
from other places where reduced rates have
fully 1900 here. Mississippi. Louisiana,
Florida, Missouri, Arkansas. North and
South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky. Mary
land, Virginia, West Virginia and the ter
ritories have sent their quota and this bids
fair to outrival anything Of its kind in the
history of the south.
The reception given Gen. Gordon yester-
day was an ovation. Cannons. whistles,
rebel yells and ladies' handkerchiefs greeted
him. Other prominent confederates here
are Gems. Crittenden and S. ID. Lee.
The city is gaily decorated with national
and confederate flags and bunting floats
from every building. Almost all the we'll
known living ex-confederates are in attend
ance, as well as the governors OF five
southern states. viz: Gov. Jones OF Ala
bama, Gov Turney of Tennessee, Gov. Till
man of South Carolina, Gov. Hogg Of Texas
and Gov. Stone of Missouri.
The convention opened in Winnie Davis
wigwam at o'clock. The wigwam has a
seating capacity of 10000, but 1t was full
TO overlooking. Gen. p. S. Ferguson. COM
mander of the Alabama department, called
the convention to order. Bishop Ellison
Capers of South Carolina, chaplain general.
led in prayer. Gov. Jones then delivered an
address of welcome in behalf of the state,
followed by Mayor Fox. who welcomed the
veterans In behalf of the city.
Gen. John B. Gordon, commander-in-chief.
responded eloquently in behalf Of the United
Confederate Veterans.
Then followed the enrolment Of dele
gates and organization of the convention
and the report Of the historical committee,
Gen. Stephen d. Lee of Mississippi, chair
man, which has been in session here Tor
two days. Its report says that while the
south has had much to do with making
the history of the nation IL has done little
toward writing 1t. The histories that have
been written, by northern historians, have
naturally been biased 1t is recommended
that data be gathered for a southern his
tory and that the legislatures of southern
states and authorities of schools be urged
to adopt the book for use in the schools.
Addresses will be delivered this afternoon
to the convention by Senator Berry of Ar
kansas, and Gen. CA. Evans of Georgia to-
night. The tableau Of states. in which the
prettiest unmarried woman from each
southern state will participate, will be
presented at the wigwam.