The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1896-07-06
RETREATING FROM RICHMOND.
Sixth Annual Convention of United
Confederate VsteHanS Adjourn.

confederate veterans Adjourn
Richmond, Va. July To-day has been
beyond all question the greatest and grand
est in the history of the historic city of
Richmond. 1t was the browning event of
the notable sixth confederate reunion when
nearly all of the living leaders of the south
were present and when they had for their
distinguished guest that well-known union
soldier and patriot, Corporal James Tanner.
The three days meeting of over 100000 con-
federates ended today in the laying Of the
corner stone of an imposing monument TO
be erected to the memory of jefferson Davis,
the president of the late Confederate States.
This was what called from the north, the
west. the east and tse south every old con-
federate soldier and sympatnizeT
For four days and over they came throng-
ing in on every line of railroad until the
hospitable city of Richmond. with its grand
hotels and open doors Of every private
house, Were so taxed that the overflow
reached the city of Petersburg and adioin-
ing villages and filed their homes with vel
come guests. During the four days the
streets and houses of public reception here
have been packed by living mass of con
fedeTate humanity. The demonstration
surpassed all previous events in the his
tory of the city and as far IS the crowds
present were concerned overshadowed all
former similar occasions, when the south
sent her representatives by the thousands
leaders and sons in the ex-captitu of the
southern confederacy.
10000 Men in Line.
No sooner than General Gordon had an
nounced the adjournment of the confeder-
ate reunion convention sine die. with three
expressive raps of his Chickamauga tree
gaVel, than there was rush Of the vet
Grams to get into the appointed locations in
time to fall into the line of the procession.
which moved promptly at l O'Clock p. n.
There were 20,O00 men in line with 100
bands of music and 100000 or more on the
streets to witness this grand parade of
youthful military cadets. stalwart militia
men and venerable. gray-bearded and bat
tie SCARED veterans, who had seen service
on the hard-fousht fields of Virginia The
latter retrod the streets which thirty-iive
and thirty years ago resounded with the
martial footsteps of the armies OF Lee and
afterwards of Grant. 1t was a great day
and nobody who witnessed the parade. the
heartfelt devotion Of the men in line and
people on the streets. would do otherwise
than declare that Il was a day consecratei
TO American manhood, patriotism and valor.
The spectacle was inspiring. ard a the
bands passed playing the "Star-Spangled
Bfncr," Dixie" MY Maryland" and
Yankee Doodle" every man felt himself
a truer American.
Veterans Carried "Fiddles."
In the line were numerous mementoes Of
the late war in the shape Of bUllet-holed
and tattered confederate battle flags, uni
forms that had been worn on many n
bloody field. knapsacks. canteens, muskets
and rifles that bore evidence of service in
many n campaign. The venerable Old
soldiers carried fddles. with which they en-
tertained camp life during the war. Many
had empty sleeves. and many others wood
en- legs. but they stood the fatigue of the
viii "a
that characterized them over thirty years
ago.
General Gordon. chief marshal. and staff
headed the procession. and his escort was
the corps of cadets Of the Virginia Mill
tary institute. Then followed the cniidrens
brigade, 250 i'm number. General Wade
Hampton and staff took position in front of
the Carolinians. and the old cavalry hero
was saluted ut every move and turn OF
the procession. Governor O'FerraH was
Mt the side of BriCadier General Phillips,
OF the Virginia state troops, which IAcICG-
ed the Virginia and North Carolina reGi-
ments of state troops. Then followed the
worshipful grand Masonic lodge OF Virginia
escorted by the commandery of St Andrew
Of Virginia No. 10, Knights Templars. and
by the Blacksburg, Va. Cadets. Next the
orator Of the day. General Stephen u. Lee
and staff. The First cavalry regiment Of
Virginia, commanded by Colonel Charles
Eukcr. Davis Monument Association; Mrs
jefferson Davis and family, invited guests,
SPONSORS for the southern states memorial
associations, etc Council of the city of
Richmond. Major General Thomas \.
Brander and staff. Richmond Light In
fantry Blues battalion, escort 10 the Viz
ginia veteran division. Grand camp con-
fcdcrate vetrans. department of Virginia,
Colonel W. A. Scott. grand commander.
West Virginia Veterans Association. South
Carolina camps, Mississippi veteran camps.
Florida veteran camps. Alabama veteran
camps, Georgia veteran camps. Louisiana
veteran camps. Texas veteran camps. In
dian Territory veteran camps, Oklahoma
Territory veteran camps. Arkansas veter-
an camps, Tennessee veteran camps North