Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-07-02
CONFEDERATE REUNION.

great procession, the laying of the cor
nerstone of the Jefferson Davis monu-
ment and general reception tonight
by Governor O'Ferrall. The city is
crowded and the weather is all that
could be desired.
After the GAZETTE's report of the
Confederate Veterans convention clos
ed Yesterday Gen ]. G. Underwood was
presented by Gen. Gordon and was re-
ferred to as man who had taken care
of more Confederate soldiers buried in
the North than any other man.
Gen. Underwood pictured the con-
dition of the graves of the 5000 Con-
federates buried in Chicago, several
years ago, and contrasted it with the
beautiful spectacle which the plot of
ground containing those heroes pre-
sents to-day. Gen. Underwood gave q
most interesting account of his work in
the preservation of the graves of the
Confederate dead in Chicago, and of
the erection of the monument to their
memory there about year ago.
When Gen. Underwood had con-
Guided, Gen. Gordon introduced Cor
poral Tanner, manned Union soldier,
who was present. He said he met him
on one occasion coming to Richmond,
and he asked him if he was not afraid
to go there among those dangerous
Johnnies. "No, Pm not" said Tanner.
| ga man ought not to be afraid to visit
his own graveyard; I left two of my
legs in Virginia, and think l have a
right to 60 back and see where they
are buried"
Mr.. Tanner came to the stand, and
Gen. Gordon then said: Comrades,
you have put ball through his legs in
the past, and now you will not put a
ball through his heart" The corporal
was cheered to the echo, and the band
played Yankee Doodle and "Dixie."
The scene in the convention at this
time was one of the most enthusiastic
of the reunion. The corporal made a
speech and aroused the old Confeder-
ates to the utmost degree of excited
patriotic feeling. He began, "My fell
low veterans" and this was hit. He
related numerous anecdotes, beginning
with stories of Malvern Hill and COM
ing down to the present, all of which
were humorous and touching. He re-
ferred to Gen. Underwood's speech,
and the monument at Chicago, and
and said that when he heard of the idea
of erecting a monument over the 5000
men who rested on the shore of Lake
Michigan, he thought it was the best
thing they could do and he was glad to
say that he would touch elbows with
them in so good a cause. He then paid
most eloquent tribute to the women of
I the South-the now wrinkled women
but who were still the girls of the
South. Speaking of the reunited
country, he said he would like to see
| Gen. John B. Gordon in the White
House, (great cheers and prolonged ap-
plause), and he believed if he were there
that it would not be long before the last
| yestige of monarchical institutions and
government would be banished from
this hemisphere. He hoped that in the
near future he would see q ff-.ee and in
| dependent republic e the beautiful Isl.
and of Cuba. Lis appeal to the young
people WHO are succeeding the veterans
as tie owners of the republic was ex-
tremely patriotic was well received by
the big audience, and when he con-
cIuded the house rang again with
cheers and the band played yankee
| Doodlen and "Dixie." This was the
great event of the day, and Tanner will
long be remembered in every portion of
the South.
Gen. Cabell, of Texas, then read the
report of the Davis monument commit
tee, which included all that has been
done in the way of collecting funds, Sc
Letting design and locating a site in
Monroe Park in the city of Richmond
for the monument. This was APPROX
| ed and the report was adopted.
The next scene was the introduction
of Mrs. Jefferson Davis. In presenting
Mrs. Davis to the veterans Gen. Cor
don made touching allusion to the de-
votion of Mrs. Davis to the fortunes of
her husband. He said "She repre-.
sents him here, now that be has gone
to his long home; and now, my COM
rades, imprint kiss upon her brow,
kiss for every comrade." Gen. Cor
don then touched his lips to
Mrs. Davis's forehead. The band
played "Dixie," and Mrs. Davis, ac-
companied by her daughter, Mrs.
Hayes, and her son, who was decorat-
ed with national and Confederate
badges, came to the front of the stand.
The convention cheered, the ladies
bowed to the right and lett, and the
whole body arose and waved hats, flags,
and banners, and yelled until they were
hoarse. General Cabell, of Texas, kiss
ed Mrs. Hayes and the great audience
cheered vociferously.
General Gordon made feeling
speech, and wound up by presenting
Master Jefferson Davis Hayes, the
eleven.year-old grandson of the
President of the Contederacy, to
the convention. A delegate in
the audience then proposed that
the young boy be made MEM
Der of this body. The motion was
put and unanimously carried and the
boy was duly installed as an honorary
member of the United Confederate
Veterans. He was then taken in the
arms of general, carried down on the
floor and cheered like conquering
hero. After this Mr.. Hayes and the
boy Mrs. Davis, who was indisposed,
having retired), held an informal recep-
ton at the stand. General Cabell, of
Texas, them announced that the boy
had already been elected member OF
his camp, and that he now wore its
hodoe and General Gordon at once