Birmingham state herald., 1897-06-25
TEN THOUSAND VETERANS Were In the Line of March at
 Nashville. S0UTHRONS HURLED FLAG And the Stars and Stripes Dotted the I'm mense Pageant-Ran Fails to Dam-
 pen Enthusiasm Notes

Nashville, June 24.-Thc parade of the United Confederate Veterans today, the closing event of the meeting, in which 10000 veterans took part, was the largest in the history of the organization and one of the greatest ever seen in this city. The streets were densely crowded.
 The stars and stripes and confederate flags were conspicuous in the long line that reached from the city to the exposi- tion gates. Two hundred thousand peo- pie had gathered to see the parade. Noth- ing in the history of the city equalled the outpouring, never was there such a pro- cession. On the faces of the veterans, stepping proudly, was to be seen the ex- pression that they never expected to see another such parade. Police on horse back cleared the way and from the start to finish the best of order prevailed The traffic was kept off the streets included in the line of march, and street cars were stopped. The procession had full right of way.
 From the starting point, the custom house, through the center of the city, around the public square, out Bread street. to Vanderbilt university, where the parade broke ranks, a dense mass of enthusiastic cheering greeted the old sol diers, their generals and their beautiful women who took part. The citizens of Nashville were both welcoming and speeding their departing guests, and they did it with whole-souled cordiaHty, in- spring to witness.
 Gen. w. H. Jackson, of Nashville, chief marshal, headed the procession, his staff consisting of distinguished men. Com mander-inJChief Jon B. Gordon and staff came next with the Savannah Hussars as an escort.
 Gen. Vaughan, the new major general of the Tennessee. division, followed. Then came officers of each division preceded by sponsors, maids of honor and invited guests, beautifully attir d in summer costumes South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Ala bama, Georgia, Virginia, Loulsianas Arkansas, Missouri, Ken tucky, Maryblnd, Indian Territory New York, Illinois, North Carolina, Texas, Okla homa, West Virginia, District of Co., lumbia, all had veterans in line. The Sons of Confederate Veterans also march ed and were commanded by Robert J. Smith, of Charleston, the newly elec.ed commander. The Daughters of the Con federacy were present in large numbers and rode in carriages. Gen. w. B. Bate, Gen. Joseph Wheeler. Gen. s. B. Buckner were in carriage at the head of the Ten reSsee division. Gen. A. P. Stewart, Gen. M. c, Butler, Miss Bucsner and Mrs. W. sB Bate preceded them in a carriage. Judge Reagan and Gen. John s. Ford rode with the Texas division. Generals l. S. Hoke aroused continued cheers. Gen. Stewart and Gen. Lee were easily re- eognized. With the respective divisions the commanding officers of each rode by and as they were reccgniz d cheers went up.
 As the flags inscribed with the names of bloody battle fields went by mighty roar went up. From the time the South Carolina troops bearing palmetto fans started 70 the music of Dixie until Ten nesseeans passed. Gen. Gordon for an hour and half reviewed the line and lcheeer after cheer went up. Though in the afternoon rain fell in torrents, vet erans, sponsors, maids of honor, generals and privateS Si ood a t their posts and when the storm had passed resumed the Tine of march. As was to be expected the Tennessee division was the largest, but the adjoining states furnished thousands and from the more distant ones the at tendance was very heavy.
 After passing the reviewing stard the parade was dismissed and the bright sun- shine soon removed the traces of the rain- storm. Though the rain storms had be- draggled the flags and banners the en- thusasm was not dampened. in a short time the streets were again thronge1 and the major portion were traveing towards the auditorium to listen to the speeches and witness the cl- sing exercises of the afternoon and evening. It was also general holiday and the lire of march W, s handsomely decorated. Ele veterans were not au in uniform. though a large number in each division wore the uni forms of the days of battle.
 Each state was represented In the ex- ercises at the auditorium by delegates, their friends, an1 a speaker / lscted for the occasion. The speeches were short but excellent. suited to the occasion and were received with rounds of applause. Capt. J. B. O'Brien presided. Among the speakers were men from every 4'ata and so great was the enthusiasm Of the vast audience which packed the audito- rum that it was after o'clock before the last speech was mode and the last note of a southern melody fl ated out tell ing those who could not get |, the bniid- ing that the joyous and successful jubilee was ended
 Tonight the same vast throrg witnessed the freworlrs pn'pared fcr the occasion, and listened to the rendering of f.snother southern roRrsrnme" hv Inner Brand While old confederate flags rep,menta1 flags. tattered ard to~n appeared among the decorat'ons and in the parade. eana1- i1y prominent in every turn was the stars and stripes and in the parade tho na- tInnal standard was seen in every div sion. It Is the rnaninnrus verdict of the veterans and their frie~5s that the reunion was the most successful ev- r held yet