The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1896-07-10
THE REUNION
AT RICHMOND.
THOUSANDS OF CONFEDERATES
AND OTHERS ATTEND.
Governor O'Ferrall Made the Welcome
Address. Reception to Mrs. Davis.
Gen. Gordon's Speech. An
Ovation to Hampton.
Other Notes.

Tho sixth annual convention OF the Confed-
crate Veterans met in Richmond, Va, Tues
day.
At IL o'clock. the arrival Of Gen. John b.
Gordon, commander-in-chief OF the Contcd-
crate veterans, was greeted by cheers and
the band played "Dixie." He was then pre-
sented with gavel which Gen. Gordon an
nounced was made from tree cut on the
battlefield OF Chickamauga. He then
opened the convention by introducing the
chaplain. Rev. J. w. Jones, OF the Confeder-
ate veterans, who made an eloquent and i'm
pressive prayer which was followed by the
hand PLAYING Nearer My God 10 Thee" On
the stand were seated all the dignitaries,
among them Gov. O'Fcrrall, Mrs. Gen. T.. f..
Pickett now Of Washington; Mayor Taylor,
of Richmond; Gen. Peyton Wise, Gen.
Stephen ID. Lee, Mrs. Gen. Gordon and
daughter, OK Minister to Spain j. l.. VI. Cur
ry, Gen. French and numerous others.
Gen. Gordon introduced Gov. O'Ferrall,
who was on the programme TO welcome tho
ve.erans to Richmond. But that gentleman
had hardly begun to speak when cheer
broke forth from the far end OF tho audito-
rum and the venerable form OF that gallant
old soldier, Gen. Wade Hampton, was seen
limping to the stand. Ills progress through
the audience was greeted by the widest
cheers, and when mt last he reached the
stand, Gen. Gordon announced him az tho
"bravc ccommander-in-chief OF tho Confedcr-
ate cavalry" which called forth another
round of cheers and 'retel yells." Order
being restored. Gov. O'Ferral was re-intro-
IMccd and he welcomed tho veterans to Vir-
gioia.
The Governor was warmly applauded
throughout his entire speech, which was an
eloquent tribute to the bravery and fortitude
of the Confederate soldier. He asked: Am 1
not voicng your sentiments, comradcs?'
and was answered by rousing cheer.
Gen. Gordon. in the course of his remarks,
said
You will not wonder that / am literally
overwhelmed by the flow of emotions which
this scene evokes. Az we look upon the griz-
zled locks and furrowed brows Of these stall
vart men. who thirty years ago were soldiers
OF an army which they mmortalized by their
deeds; when their presence in Richmond so
vividly recalls that heroic era in which they
were the heroic actors: when we remember
the position OF Richmond, OF Virginia.
throughout whose borders ana over whose
homes the tides OF war swept from first to
last, with their widest and most de
structive floods; when We recur to
the dauntless prowcss of her sons and
to tba fortitudc, and almost martyrdom OF
her glorious women who for our saEes
stripped their homes of the simplest COM
forts-when, say, all these deathess mem-
.ories thrill us afresh when we gather again
in this long beleaGured and ever-bcloved
our lips to express the emotion Of our
hearts!' Applause
He paid II most eloquent and touching
tribute to Virginia as the foster mother OF
American freedom whose alarm bell gave the
signal that aroused the Colonies, whose sons
gave US the Bill Of Rights and the constitu-
tion-and who gave the Revolution and tho
Confederacy their illustrious commanders in
chief"
Gen. Stephen d. Lee. chairman. then read
the report OF the history committee which set
forth that great injustice had been done to
the South 10y partisan histories and recon-
mended that measures be- adopted to have a
correct and trustworthy history Of the Con-
federate side OF the late war published.
Gen. Wade Hampton was clearly the hero
of tho convention today. The ovation he re-
ceived was the heartiest and most enthusi-
astic OF the day. He made brief speech in
response to calls and was loudly cheered
The Battle Abbey Of the South committee
held an important meeting at which IL charter
for Confederate Memorial Association to
take charge OF the battle abbey was discussed.
Gen. Cabell. of Texas, made an eloquent
speech advocating the continuance OF the
work for year or least six months before
deciding on location. Gen. Garrett, OF
Nashville, discussed the conditional supscrip-
tioEs and stated what Nashville would do for
the abbey.
Gen I harle;on. Of Louisiana. opposed con-
ditional subscriptions. They had subscribed
S6,0O0-s3.00G of which had been paid up ami
not discouraged but sure Of success.
Col. A. B. Dickinson, who represents Mr..
Chas. broadway Eouss, OF New York then
read correspondence with that gentleman
which developed Il new plan on the part OF
Mr. Rouss, who had previously offered con
ditional donation OF $780, 900 for battle alb
hey of the South. Mr.. Rouss now proposes
TO contribute $500. 900 for the purpose. pro-
vided the South raised al equal amount, and
that the building be located in the city OF
WASHINGTON. This DutS ulite n asnppt
on the battle abbey movement. though Mr..
Rouss leaves the matter entirely with the
association.
The reception rendered Mrs. Jefferson Da.
Wis at the Confederate Museum. the former
"White House OF the Confederacy, was an
overwhelming affair. 1t was success as far
as the crowd Of ladies and their escorts were
concerned, but failure IA to management
their respects to Mrs. Davis and her daugh-
ter, Mrs. Hayes, could not gain admission 70
the building.
Prizes for designs for the Davis monument
were awarded as follows: Percy Grifin, OF
New York, first: Edgerton Rogers Of Rich
mond, second; w. C. Noland. OF Richmond
third. Grihn's design will be adopted. II
provides for memorial to cost 5000, 900.
INCIDENTS OF THE SECOND DAY.
The second days reunion was called to
order at 1890 o'clock by Commander Gen.
Gordon. There were over 1000 delegates
present. The committee on credentials re-
ported that $50 camps were represented by
delegates from the States aud Territories Us
follows:
Louisiana lGi. Marylund 1s. Virginia l1G
North Carolina So South Carolina l9i.
Georgia 1877. West Virginia 2. Florida AZ,
Alabama 297. Mississippi %. Texas 40. Okla
hOma 2. Missouri lSS. Tennessee 96. Arkan-
sas 55. Kentucky -. Iudan Territory If
Montana2. California g. District oi Coiumpiu
~. Total 2.0l5.
Next on III" programme was tn" historical
addresses OF Dr. Jan"Z NJ Curry. cN-
minister Z" Span. IL" was "i"TT"utiy nitro
Iuccd ''y Grn. Go ',i"n aul was warm d.