The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-06-29
The VETERANS PARADE.
TEN THOUSAND OLD CONFED.
ERATE SOLDIERS IN LINE.

The Parade at Nashville a Grand Success.
Thousands of Spectators Massed Along
the Line of March-Old War-Worn Con.
federate Flags-veterans Present From
All Parts of the Countrywide Afternoon
at the Auditorium.
Nashville, Tenn, June A.-The parade
of the United Confederate Veterans today,
the closing event of the reunion. in which
more than 10000 veterans took part. was
the largest in the history of the crganiza-
ton and one Of the greatest ever seen in
this city. The streets were densely crowd
ed, the stars and stripes and the con-
federate flag were conspicuous in the long
line that reached from the public square
to the Tennessee centennial exposition
gates. One bundled thousand people Rad
collected to see the parade. Nothing in
q he history of Nashville has eIualled the
outpouring: never was there such a pro-
c~ession. on the faces of lockers on and
of some of the bent figures stepping brisk
~ and proudly could be seen the sugges-
ton that never again would there be
such another parade.
The line started promptly, police on
horseback clearing the way, and from
start to- finish the best Of order prevailed.
All vehicles were kept off the streets in
cludcd in the line of march and the street
cars stopped running. The parade was
chcerfulIy accorded the full right Of way.
From the starting point, the custom
house, through the centre of the city.
around the public square. out Broad
street to Vanderbilt university. where the
parade broke ranks, n dense mass of en-
thusiastic, cheering people greeted the
old soldiers, their generals and the beau
tiful women who took part. The citizens
~ NAEhTi11n r1rn hath nnI
speeding their departing guests, and they
did it with whole-soulcd cordially, in
spring to witness.
General w. H.. Jackson, Of Nashville.
chief marshal, headed the. procession. his
staff consisting of distinguished men.
COmmander-in-chief John r. Gordon and
staff came next with the Savannah HUI
Ears as an escort. General Vaughn. the
new major general of the Tennessee divi-
sion, followed. Then came the state divi-
ions, each division preceded by sponsors,
= maids Of honor and invited guests, beau
tifully attired in summer costumes.
South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Ala
bama, Georgia, Louisiana, Virginia., Ar
kansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Maryland,
Indian Territory. New York, Illinois,
North Carolina. Texas. Oklahoma, West
Virginia, District of Columbia, all had
The Sons of Confederate Veterans also
marched and were commanded by Robert
j. Smythc, of Charleston, the newly
elected commander.
The Daughters of the Confederacy were
present in large numbers and rode in
carriages.
and II. =. Buckner were in carriages at
the head Of the Tennessee division. Cen
Miss Buckner and Mrs. w. b. Bate pre-
coded them in a carriage. Judge Reagan
and General John s.. Ford rode with the
T ToEaT+ DIVISION ns Mrs. 5nd A. 1obn P stG Hont,
aroused continued cheers. General
stephen d. Lee was easily recognized.
With their respective divisions, the com
handing officers from each state rode by
and as they were recognized shouts went
up, ana as little bands marched along
bearing tattered flags inscribed with the
names of bloody battle fields. a mighty
roar ascended. From the time the South
Carolina troops. bearing palmetto
ranches started to the music of Dixie,
all down the line until Tennessee's troops
passed the stand where General Gordon
Ior one hour and a half saluted the pass
1- posts. the air was rent with cheers,
with drum beats. bugle blasts and music
by bands. And though at noon rain fell
in torrents. veterans. sponsors, maids or
honor. generals and prlVates stood their
posts and when the storm had passed, re-
stunned the line of march.
AS was to he expected, the Tennessee
division was the largest. but the adjoining
states furnished thousands, and from the
distant ones the attendance was heavy.
After passing the reviewing stand the
parade was dismissed and the bright sun
shine soon removed the traces OF the ram
storm.
ThOugh the rain storm had bedraggled
the flags and banners, enthusiasm was
not dampencd. and in a short time the
streets were again thrOnged, and of the
thousands the MAJOR portion were travel
ing to the auditorium to listen to the
speeches and witness the closing eXef-
CiScs of the afternoon and evening. The
afternoon was also Il general holiday ana
the line Of march was handsomely deco
rated. The veterans were not all in Uni
form, though a large number in each
division wore the uniforms of the days Oh
battle.
Each state was represented in the eNcr-
CiSeS at the auditorium by delegates, their
friends and a speaker selected for the OC-
casion. The speeches were short but eX-
cellent, suited for the occasion and were
received with rounds of applause. cap
tain j. e. O'Brien presided.
Among the speakers were men from
every state. and SO great was the enthu
AiaSm of the vast audience which packed
Nhe auditorium that it was after 6 o'clock
before the last speech was made, and the
last note of a southern melody f1oated out
telling those who could not get IN the
building that the joyous and successful
jubilee was ended.
the fire works prepared for the night and
listened to the rendering OF anOtner
southern programme by the lnnes
band.
While old confederate flags, reginlental
flags. tattered and torn. appeared in the
decorations and in the parade, equally
prominent at every turn was the stars
and stripes. and in the parade the nation
al standard was seen in every DIVISION.
1t is the unanimous verdict OF the vet
Grams and their visiting friends that the
re-union was the most successful ever
held.
Won Now Havn