Birmingham age-herald., 1895-05-22
ON EVERY BREAST IS A FLAG
Houston Is a Dream of DraperN Says the
 Poetic Press Man.
THE FADED, BATTERED JACKET OF GRAY
Has the Right of Way in the Grand Old Texan Town Twenty Thousand Wis
 itors Already There-Camp Hardee Arrives

Houston, Tex. May 21.-The streets of
 Houston are filled with surging mass of humanity, representing every state in the union, and the trains of every system leading into the city are full to overflow ing with veterans and their friends on their way to the fifth annual reunion of the United Confederate Veterans. This enterprising city has been preparing for
 this event many months and the ar engagements are satisfactory in the high est degree. The men who wore the gray
 have been looking forward to the occa- sion with the ardor which no one expe- riences in so full a measure as the battle scared remnants of the army of the Confederacy. It seems as if all the broad lines of the country are converging
 here, and that the iron wheels are hurry ing forward with something of the fer vor which inspires the hearts of the he- roes they are conveying to the reunion. Many of the most prominent surviving leaders of the lost cause are here tonight, and tomorrow they will again command,
 under the blended banners of union and secession, the griZZled veterans whom they led in many stormy conflict be- tween Sumter and AppomattoX Not on- ly are the banners blended, but Federal and Confederate, mingling in cordial fra ternity are walking arm in arm and eX- changing "reminiscences of the various fields on which they fought Comrades heave met for the first time in third of century and the memories of many touching scenes will signalze this great reunion.
 Houston is a dream of drapery. Dex- terous hands have arranged the flutter- ing flags in long festoons, where "old glory" and the starry cross combine in the same harmonious unity with which tle federal government, under the new conditions, participates in the commemo- ration of the struggle in which the old conditions passed away.
 The principal thoroughfare of the city is a mass of gracefully woven bunting, the conquered banner and the conquer ing banner alternating for more than a mile On the heart of every man and woman flames a badge or miniature flag. while here and there some distinc- tive sign of more than ordinary interest may be observed. Here a blue ribbon marks the wearer as one of Morgan 8 men, and there a lone star distinguishes some one of the Eighth Texas rangers of immortal memory The dapper uni- form of the regular army mingles with the faded jacket of gray worn by some enthusiast from a distant state. In short the whole city is given over to the ardor of the hour and the greatest event of the week throughout the south, if not the whole United States, is reaching culmination.
 This has been Houstons day and local pride has intensified southern patriotism.
 At 10 o'clock last night the first spe- cial train, divided into two sections, az gregating fourteen coaches, reached the city It was the vanguard of the Spe- cial service, and since that time solid trains on through schedules have been speeding into Houston loaded down with men who wore the gray, their friends, their families and their former foes.
 The first special, together with the regular train which followed immedi- ately behind, landed 1000 people here at once. Among them were Florida dele gations, in charge of Maj J. J. A. En- slow, Jr, of St. Augustine, and escortfng Miss Clara Chipley, sponsor for the Florida division, and Miss Brent, her maid of honor; the Augusta veterans and delegates from South Carolina camps. affiliating with the Augusta camp Camp Hardee of Birmingham was also of the party.
 The rain yesterday prevented the par ade, which was anticipated with so day, however and Main street was lined with solid mass of humanity to see the soldier boys go by
 The following companies were in the parade: Corpus Christi Light Guards; Roberts Rifles, Governors Guards, Dock Rifles, Brenham Light Guards, Houston Light Guard, Brenham Field artillery Battery c, Lasker Guard, Ma bry Rifles, Tipscomb Rifles, Lamar Guard, Marble Falls Guard, Brown wood Rifles, Houston Light artillery, Rutherford Rangers, Milano Rifles, M. B. Lloyd Rifles The battery of flying artillery. United States army, with it's mounted band, was one of the most att tractive features of the parade. Maj.- Gen. A. s. Roberts, commanding the Texas Volunteer Guards, was in com mand and the companies received hearty rounds of cheers as they passed alongf Main street. which was lined with vet erans and their friends, while tier after tier of ladies' looking from commanding points of view along the route, waved greeting as the soldiers passed.
 Gen. Joseph Wheeler arrived at 8 o'clock this morning. When he reached headquarters on Franklin avenue the veterans were awaiting him, 5000 strong, and when they caught sight of the fa- nous cavalry soldier they gave a yell which walked the echoes.
 At midnight 12,000 badges had been given out at headquarters. These badges are given only to bona fide vet erans, duly registered SC there can be no mistake that that number of survivors are here, while many more have not yet
 Continued on Fourth Page.)