The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-07-03
LAST DAY OF The GREAT REUNION
THE PARADE YESTERDAY WAS A
GREAT SUCCESS.
The Largest Crowd in Richmond Since
the Wharf.-The Corner Stone of the
Davis Monument Laid With Masonic
Standardization in Regard to the
Proposed Battle Abbey.

in its history has Richmond seen such q
crowd within her limits as that which
assembled here to-day beneath perfect
sky, TO witness the laying of the corner
stone of the monument to the memory
of Jefferson Davis. 1t was the last and
greatest day of the sixth annual reunion
of the United Confederate Veterans Asso-
clation. To-day's exercises have added
$4,000 visitors and young soldiers to the
vast throng. Last night history re-
peated itself in the scene which the cap
ltal presented A small army of grizzled
men in jackets of gray slept upon the
green sward around the old State house,
with coats for pillows and the grassy
lawns for their beds A full thousand
spent the night on the capitol grounds.
The formation of the parade began
about IL o'clock. Before noon the streets
all along the line of march were almost
completely blocked. The Rouss Memo
rial Hall Association met this morning
and committee was appointed to obtain
charter for organization. General John
son, of Alabama, General Briggs, of Ken
lucky, DR.. league, of South Carolina,
General jackson, of Tennessee, were ap-
pointed COMMITTEE to visit New York,
and confer with Mr. Rouss to show him
the great opposition in the South to loca-
ting the proposed Battle Abbey in Wash
inGton.
In an interview, Mrs. Davis expressed
decided opposition to locating the Battle
Abbey in Washington, and said it would
be just rs appropriate to erect the monu-
ment TO Davis in Boston. The Virginia
cavalry held meeting this morning to
take steps toward erecting n monument
to General J. + b. Stuart.
The convention was opened at 10
O'Clock by prayer by the Rev DR.. j. p.
Smith, of Stonewall Jackson's staff. The
session was n very short one. General
Gordon made brief address praisng
Richmond's hospitality. a memorial
was submitted, asking that the name of
the United Confederate Veterans be
changed to Confederate Survivors Asso-
citation y request that a memorial be
sent to all camps in the association was
adopted.
An invitation was extended from the
Philadelphia brigade to attend the reun-
ion of the blue and gray at Washington,
September IT, when II monumental the
brigade will be unveiled at Antietam.
General Gordon said the invitation would
be sent to the various camps for action
paper from Louisiana in reference to
the monument to Southern women, was
referred To the monument committee and
General Gordon said il would sleep there.
y petition from fredericksburg in re-
ference to national park at the battle
field near that place was approved.
After resolutions of thanks 30 Rich
mond ard General Gordon, the conven-
ton adjourned.
The corner stone of the monument TO
be erected in Monroe Park to the mem
DRY of jefferson Davis. was laid this
morning, and the ceremonies were i'm
pressivc and pathetic. Under bright
sun and sky, through densely packed
streets, and with the applause of count
less thousands TO cheer them on, the fol-
lowers of the Lost Cause marched to-day
through the city, which is dearer to the
Old Confederate than any other in the
land. 1t was sight to stir the enthu-
siasm of the most sluggish nature as
with bands playing, companies moving,
and colors flying, the parade passed in
review. Two hundred children, BOYS
and girls, wearing white and red sashes
followed the police, who cleared the way
and led the procession. The chief mar
shall, General Gordon, in civilian dress,
looked a royal commander, as did Cover
nor o 'Ferrall, who rode with barred head.
Mrs. Jefferson Davis was in an open car
riage and bowed and smiled as the cheers
greeted her on every side.
The sponsors and maids of honor.
chosen for their beauty, from all the
southern States. rode in carriages fol-
lowing that of Mrs. Davis
The military, under command of Brig
adler General Phillips, represented the
pick of Southern soldiers
North Carolina was the first to exhibit
a battered battlehag, and as it futtered
in the breeze it was greeted with great
cheers. The veterans made the pathetic
picture of the parade. Nearly all are
Old and for the most part weak and fee
BILE, but Summoning their remaining