The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1896-06-06
RICHMOND REUNION.
Ex-loufederafes 1T Their
Former Capital.

" HI "a pttAs*
RICHMOND. Va. May 30.-The
reunion Of the United Confederate
Veterans, which takes place here. AZ
the capital Of the Confederacy, June
39th. will be the most interesting and
largely attended Of any Of these gather
ings. The meeting vii take place On
the day named and continue until July
3D.. II is estimated that there will be
more than 40, go visitors here ut CHS
eTent-the largest gathering seen since
Sherman 8 army marched through
here. In 1865. on it way 70 the national
capital.
Thousands Of veterans who will be
here on this occasion will see Richmond
for the first time since they trod its
familiar streets during the Civil War.
Thirty years have wrought wonderful
changes In this city-changes which
have so metamorphosed it that many Of
the old veterans who come here next
month will not recognize it. The great
fire which was kindled by the
Confederates when they evacuated ON
april 3, 1856, destroyed most Of the
business portion of the town Every
bank building, the big mills and all Of
the important Wholesale houses were
included in the confagratiOn.
The only building Of note used by the
Confederate Government except the
JEFF Davis mansion. which now stands
intact, Ia the customhOuse and post
Office. The visitors TO the reunion next
month will find wonderful changes In
the Confederate Capital. The western
part of the city. which during the war
was struggling suburb, il now the
handsomest residential section. Monroe
Park. which Is the site selected for the
monument to Jefferson Davis, was
during the war used for hospital build
ings. This part of the city now con
tains the most palatial residences. The
lots upon which they stand were during
the war commons. which at night were
infested by footpads and dangerous for
pedestrians TO pass over.
The reunion is to be held in vast
auditorium building on the exposition
grounds, the spot used during the war
as eonscript camp. II will seat ~ 600
people.
1t Is estimated that there will be
90, 900 veterans and the sons of veterans
in line at the reunion. As most Of the
former are old men the route Of march
has been made purposely short, 50 as
not 10 tire the men too much. IL will
probably not exceed three quarters Of a
mile In length.
There are many important and
interesting subjects which will attract
attention at this gathering Of Con
federate veterans. The most notable,
however. will probably be the selection
of site for the &. 3. Rouses Con
federate Museum.
This Is millionaire dry goods
merchant Of New York, who offers to
contribute 800, 900 towards erecting a
Southern Battle Abbey. provided that
amount will be duplicated by some city
in this section Of the country. There
IS lively competition for this prize,
and an active fight will be made before
the coming convention. The com
petitors are the cities Of Richmond,
Washington, New Orleans and Nash
Vile. The latter offers a site for the
museum and has already raised s65 900
Of the required 500 900, which is better
than any Of her competitors has yet
done
One Of the most interesting features
of the great gathering here of ex
Confederates will be the laying Of the
corner stone of the Jefferson Davis
monument, which will take place
during the week Of the reunion. The
design for this monument has not yet
been agreed upon, but will be by June
10th.
Another interesting feature and one
which will attract considerable
attention is the reception which Mrs.
Jefferson Davis and her daughter, Miss
Winnie, win give at the former Con
federate White House on July Cd. 1t
was here that Miss Winnie was born
during the three years residence in the
historic old building. The reception is
to take place in the Georgia room,
which was formerly President Davis
drawing room. The old Confederate
White House has been converted into a
museum for the preservation Of war
relics.