Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1896-07-03
The Confederate Reunion at
Richmond.

L he SlACH annual convention OF the COn1eQ-
crate Veterans met Tuesday morning in the
vast and gaily decorated auditorium erected
for the purpose at the exposition grounds in
Richmond. IDtermingled with the Confeder-
ate colors and flags are the national flags and
just above the presiding officers seat are two
large star spangled banners. Around the
galleries are the coats of arms of all the late
Confederate States. The auditorium, which
can seat over 10. 900 people, was comfortably
filled and presented handsome appearance
when at II o'clock the arrival of Gen. John
B. Gordon, commander-i in chief of the Confed-
ate Veterans, was greeted by cheers and the
band played "Dixie." He was then present.
ed with gavel, which Gen. Gordon announc-
ed was made from tree cut on the battlefield
! Of Chickamauga. H. then opened the conven
ton by Introducing Chaplain j. William
Jones, who made an eloquent prayer, whicl
was followed by the band playing NEARER
| My God to Thee On the stand were seated
many dignitaries. At the conclusion of the
prayer, Gen. Gordon introduced Gov. O'Fer-
who was on the programme to welcome the
veterans to Richmond but that gentleman
| had barely started when a cheer broke forth
from the far end of the auditorium and the
venerable form of Gen. Wade Hampton was
seen limping up towards the stand. His pro
gress through the audience was greeted by the
widest cheers. Order being restored. Gov
O'Ferrall was reintroduced and he welcomed
the veterans of Virginia.
The city is crowded as never before since
the close of the war, with veterans. Repre-
sentatives of every State north, south, east
and west are here and the streets are almost
impossible. Banners and badges from every
Southern State are visible everywhere and
the scene in the auditorium exceeded in bril-
fancy and enthusiasm the recent national
Republican convention at st. Louis.
Mrs. Davis was met at the depot by Hon. J.
Taylor EllysOn, president of the Davis Mon
ument Association, and driven to the Jeffer
son Hotel, where rooms had been engaged for
her. She was quite ill few days ago and it
was feared that she would not be able to at
, tend this reunion. AS stated, her daughter,
Miss Winnie, will not be present.
General Congressman L. e. Catchings of
Mississippi, was in the jefferson lobby last
night. He received much attention. The
general was Speaker Crisp's right-hand man
when the Georgian was speaker of the House.
He is also an intimate, personal and politi-
cal friend of Mr.. Cleveland's.
Congressman John A. Allen, better known
as ''Private' John Allen, is here boiling over
with humor. He should be made to address
the convention.
The Virginia Polytechnic Institute Cadets
from Blacksburg, and the Virginia Military
Institute Cadets, from Lexington, are both in
the city. The former are 800 strong and have
a band of mnsic of forty pieces. They. the Poly
technic cadet corps, have the post of honor as
escort to Governor O'Ferrall.
At the meeting of the Battle Abbey com.
mittee, Tuesday, a new proposition was made
from Mr.. Charles Broadway Rouss to increase
his gift from 500, 900 to 100000, if the Battle
Abbey be located in Washington city.
When Coy. OFerrall returned from the
memorial services at st. Paul's Church Sun
day night, conducted by Bishop Peterkin, in
memory, of jefferson Davis, and entered the
grounds of the executive mansion, accompan-
led by the members of his staff in uniform. he
was accosted by a half dozen boys, the sons of
reputable citizens. One who acted as spokes-
man, requested permission for them to place
Confederate flag in the bronze hand of the.
figure of Washington on the big statue in
Capitol Square. Governor O'Ferral replied
that inasmuch as General Washington had
nothing to do with the Confederacy, such
decoration of the Father of His Country would
be. out of place. The boys withdrew. showing
much disappointment, and the governor was
told when he reached the mansion that the
boys called just after he had left for church.
and remained there quietly waiting the whole
time.
THE CROWDS AT RICHMOND.
1t seems that the accommodations both for
sleeping and eating are plentiful but the Wis
itors do no not find the headquarters to in
quire for them. On Wednesday while good
many people were leaving Richmond for lack
of quarters, the committee had 1000 sleeping
rooms and no application for them The
hotels Of course are full and turning off peo-
pie.
1t was said at the veteran headquarters this
morning, says the State of Wednesday, that
there were in the neighborhood of TO- 600 visit
ing veterans in town. The exact number
cannot be given because number of camps
have failed to report.
There are being quartered and fed at the
Exposition building 1920 veterans How
many are in quarters down town and at the
hotels, boarding houses and private residen-
ceS is not known.
PROCEEDINGS AT THE AUDITORIUM ON
WEDNESDAY.
The Confederate convention at the Audito-
rum began business Wednesday morning bv
adopting with the widest enthusiasm, reso-
buttons thanking the people of Chicago for
erecting monument to the Confederate dead
buried near there. Five or six ex-Confeder-
ate Generals (real war generals) made beau
tiful speeches regarding the act
CORPORAL TANNERS GREAT SPEECH.
General Gordon in a beautiful little address
referred to the presence in the hall of Cnrpor
al James Tanner and called on him to come
forward. As this brave Union soldier who
has both legs balied in Virginia's soil, an.
peared the audience rose up and cheered
The Corporal was deeply moved by the hearty
i'll his honor He made IA |