The record-union., 1896-06-27
Confederate Veterans to Hold a Monster
Reunion at Richmond, Va.
VIII be the Biggest Demonstration
Yet Held in the South.
The Laying of the Cornerstone of
the Jefferson Davis rIonument the
Chief Feature-Site of rlemOrial
nuSeum to be Decided On-Tabfeau
of Lovely Southern Girls.

RICHMOND Wa), June 26.-The
sixth annual reunion of the United Con-
federate Veterans, which will be held in
this city three days beginning to-mor-
row, will bring together the largest as
semb1y of Confederates ever held in
the South since the war. Reports from
all of the Southern States and from
several Western States, Maryland, the
District of Columbia, and even the
Northwest, indicate that there will be
something like 100000 visitors here at
that time. There are now about 800
veteran camps in the organization
known as the United Confederate Vet
Grams, and this number is rapidly in
creasing. Many Of these camps will
attend in body, while large delega-
t1ons from all over the South and be-
yond the Mississippi River are expected
10 take part in the ceremonies. Beside
the veterans, there will be something
like 10000 militia, including many of
the crack companies of the South, both
infantry and cavalry.
The business sessions of the reunion
will be held in a mammoth auditorium
at the exposition grounds in the west
ern limits of the city. This structure
will seat about L, 900 people 1t will be
elaborately decorated with Confeder-
ate flags, banners and shields, and a
band win render Confederate airs and
Southern melodies from time to time
during the meeting.
One of the most important measures
to come UP for decision and settlement
before the body viii be the location of
a site for the Charles Broadway Rouss
Confederate Memorial Museum. Mr..
Rouss. a wealthy merchant of New
York, was soldier in the Confederate
service and is a native of Virginia. He
offered to give 100000 for the estab-
Hshment Of this museum, provided the
veterans Of the South would raise a
similar amount. Most of this has been
raised already, and it viii be largely in
creased, SO that when the committee in
charge is ready to commence the struc-
ture they will have something like
S250,O00 at their disposal for the Battle
Abbey Of the South. A committee was
appointed at Houston, Texas, to decide
upon location. They met at Atlanta
last October, but failed to reach a de-
cision- 1t is expected that they will
meet here during the reunion and rec
ommend a city for the museum. This
committee is composed Of one prornf-
nent Confederate from each of the
Southern States and one from New
York and one from the West. Nash
vile, Tenn, has raised over $50, 900 to
4 have the museum come there. New Or
leans has also made a strong plea for it,
as have Atlanta and Washington.
An0f her fay 70
up before the body will be the selection
of a United States history to be used
in the public schools of the South. 1t
is said that the present histories used
rob the Confederate soldier of much of
his well-earned glory, and that they are
prejudiced by sectional spirit. The OBJ
Ject is to have adopted a history which
will lean more to the Confederate way
OF thinking.
One of the most attractive features of
me reunion win be the tableau of beau
tlful Southern girls, one from each of
the Confederate States. These will be
entertained here by the Daughters of
the Confederacy. Most of these young
women have been selected on account
OF their social distinctions or by reason
or gallant services rendered by their
Iathers IN the Confederate army Sew
eraI OF these are recognized bellies Miss
Hattie Patton Cooke of Richmond. who
VIII represent Virginia, Is the daughter
OF the late General John r. Cooke. Miss
virginia Nichols, another reigning
belle, Will represent louisiana She is
the daughter of Judge Nichols of the
supreme Court Of Louisiana and ex-
Governor. Another well-known beauty
Is Miss Lottie Palmer Capers, daughter
OF General Ellison Capers a gallant
Confederate soldier, and now Bishop OF
the Episcopal diocese of South Carolina.
Miss Sarah B. Raney, who will repre-
sent Florida, and Miss Julia w. Spur
the sponsor for Kentucky, are we'll
known throughout the South for their
beauty
Another striking feature of the re-
union VIII be mammoth chorus OF
1,V0o trained voices, under a musical di-
rector. that will render Confederate te
songs and plantation melodies during
the evening.
The greatest feature of the entire
gathering viii be the laying of the cor
nerstone of the Jefferson Davis monu-
nent, which viii take place on July 2d
at : O'Clock This will be preceded by
the most elaborate parade ever seen in
the South. 1t is expected that in this
parade there will be about Is, 600 peo-
pie, principally veterans. sons of vet
Grams and military. General J. 3. Cor
den, Commander of the United Confed-
crate Veterans, viii be Chief Marshal
Adjutant- General Norman of the L. C
V. viii be chief Of staff. General Stephen
D. Lee OF Mississippi win deliver the
oration and Bishop Cranberry of the
Methodist Episcopal Church will Offer
the prayer. The ceremonies will be
conducted by the Grand Lodge of Ma
soas of Virginia
Mrs. jefferson Davis and Miss Davis
viii be guests Of the Davis Monument
Committee on this occasion.
Not the least Of the important phases
OF the reunion will be the reception
which Mrs Davis will hold in the ole
Davis mansion She viii try to bring
back the scenes of her former reception.
az the White House of the Confederacy
or all the receptions ever held In this
house this Will probably be the mos
notable one. Mrs Davis. it's former
mistress, viii on that occasion shak,
hands with tens of thousands OF old Off
GERS and men who served in the South
ern army. This, in all probability, il
the last time that this lady will be
witness to such a gathering of th'
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