Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-07-01
THIS THE GREATEST.
The Richmond Reunion the Best Eeld
by The Association.
FEATURES OF THE FIRST DAY
All the Speeches Were Gems, and the
Speakers Were Generously Ap-
pIaudeJ-Grcat Ovation TO Several
OF 1hem-Nfns Winnie's Name.

Never in the history Of the Confederate
veterans; never I'm the history OK Rich
moua. has there been such gathering
as was seen in the splendid Auditorium
on yesterday
There is but one opinion about the Au-
dltorium. 1t Is by all ODDS the largest
and most beautiful IN which the as ocia-
ton has even met.
The decorations have been enthusiasts
tically admired the acoustics o. the hall
are very fine and when the e. ihusiasm
Of the veterans would permit tie speak
ers could DE heard distinctly in every
part Of the hail.
At an early hour the room began to
nm up. and the old veterans. their wives.
sons. and daughters continued to pour
in until the spacious hail. which seats
1920. was filed, while the aisles wero
packed with men aud women, who pa
tiently stood throughout the speaking.
A DISTINGUISHED GATHERING.
The platform was gradually filed with
q DISTINGUISHED and brilliant array OF
dignity. position. fame. and beauty.
Among those on the platform were
noted Ex-Governor Fleming. or Florida;
General william H. Jackson. OF Tom
nessee: General $. d. Lee. Of Mississippi;
Governor Charles T. OFerrall STAR,
and accompa nyi-g ladies'; General l8iaAop)
ELIAS Gamers: Mrs. Gen. Geo. h. Pickett;
Bishop Fltzgaraid OF California. Hon.
]. l. NJ Curry and Mrs. Curry; General
George H. Steuart. Rev. Or. Boggs,
chancellor OF the University Of Georgia;
General Wade Hampton Ex-Governor
James T. Eagle OF Arkansas. with Mrs.
Eagle and other ladies'; General W. l..
Cabeu. OF Texas: General s. b. Buckner.
of Kentucky: General G. A. Evans. OF
Georgia: General Joe Shelby, OF Nissourn
General Mccullough, OF Missouri; Major
II. Kyd Douglass. ~ Maryland. formerly
Of Stonewail Jackson's st40. -iajor II
d. McClelland, Of Kentucky formerly
chief OF STAFF 10 Jeb Stuart. and after
wards OF Wade Hampton. colonies ana
newly-made generals, too Numerous 10
mention. but many of who's names had
conspicuous places In the bulletins or
the great battles for COME 1erate inde-
pendence.
AN OVATION TO GORDON.
The crowd waited until n o'clock for
the appearance of the Commando, Gene
raj Gordon and when ho came in as
the band played pixie" the vast strao-
ture shook with deafening applause, and
the old Confederate yell could be b. ara
many squares away.
4 pleasing incident (Which was lost
sight Of In the confusion ~ assign 1g tho
delegates 10 their seats was the prosen-
tation, through Colonel Ray. or Zsb.
Vance Camp Of North Caroliaa, OF
gavel, for the use OF the con 'ntion.
made from the wood of a tree cur down
by bullets at Chickamaug7. and conta'n-
ing bullet embedded IN the heart OF this
wood "The boys cheered when General
Gordon announced IT.
CHEERS FOR HAMPTON.
General Wade Hampton came In while
Governor O'Ferrall was speaking, and the
crowd gave him such an enthusiastic re-
ception that all exercises had 10 be sus-
pended until he MANNED l'ro was escort
ed 10 the stand. and hts achnCwleds-
ments by repeated bows.
When afterwards i'm response 10 con-
tinued calls, he made his brief speech.
he had grand ovation, the vast
crowd rising TO their feet and greeting
him with vociferJus and prolonged yells
and the waving of flags and handker-
chiefs. He was especially cheercd on
his statement that General Lee had said
20 him the last time he saw him, referring
to his course during the war: Il could
have taken no other course except with
dishonor: and, II 10 We're all 10 be done
over again, I should act precisely IN tho
same manner. and. on his declaring for
himself. Il believe IN the Confederate
who did not desert during the war. and
has not deserted since"
General Buckner was called out, and
greeted with loud applause. and when no
sat down the band played amid most
vociferous applause, my Old Kentucky
Home"
THE CONFEDER~'Y DAUGHTERS.
General Peyton Wise as were All Of
the speakers. was frequently and loudly
applaudcd and one OF the heartiest rounds
he got was when he alluded 10 'the
Daughter Of the Confederlcy' as "our
dear Winnie Davis" There has been uni
versal regret expressed among the yete-
rams AZ the absence OF Miss Winnie. She
has always held a warm Place in tho
hearts or the veterans. and when In HOus-
ton last year she had an ovation which
no queen ever received and which would
have been even greater had she been able
10 be here.
ALL FOND OF RICHMOND.
The eloquent address OF our soldier
Governor, the admirable speech OF Mayor
Taylor, and the gem of a welcome speech
by General PeytOn Wise We're most APP
prOpriate preludes 20 the eloquent tribute
10 Virginia which General Gordon made
in response, and which elected applause
which showed that he struck p responsive
chord I'm the hearts Of tlrsr old vete-
rams, who never tire prsising Virginia
and Richmond. and telling of the many
kindnesses they received here during the
war. Indeed one OF the most touching
things in connection with the reunion IS
10 see the old fellows hunting M tn.
homes where they were tenderly nursed
when wounded or sick. and inqu. ring after
the people who were kind 10 them
many OF whom. alasl are now sleeping in
Hollywood or In lakewood.
INTEREST IN HISTORY.
After the speaking was over there was
good deal Of confusion In the hall.
when General s D. Lee began TO read
the report Of the Committee on History.
as many wished 10 leave TO meet other
engagements. or 20 sightseeing. but order
was finally restored. and the able report
was not only listened 70 with deep Ia
terest. but its noble sentiments and sound
policy were loudly applauded. The an
nOuncement that the committee had adj
ded 10 its list o. textbooks recommended
for use In our schools the School History
Of the United States" by Or J. william
Jones. was greeted with warm applause
II has leaked out from the private con-
ferences Of the committee that the only
objection raised 10 Or. Jones's history
was the fear that II had "a rather gray
coloring when he treated OF tie war"
and the reply was made that as our his
tories for thirty-One years have been 20
decidedly blue" We can very wei afford
In the future 10 have an even extra
.saff ~ ..s.. a.