The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-07-01
AN OCCASION OF GREAT ENTHUSI-
AsM AND PLEASURE AT
NASHVILLE.
10000 PEOPLE IN The BIG PARADE
One Hundred Thousand Others
ThrOnged the Line of March.
Speech-MaIxing and South
ern Melodies.

vi HouSIOpS, DiOcklnB SlueWalkS ana Mining
TO overfiowing every available space along
the long line of march awaited the orders
from the grand parade, the closing event
of the confederate reunion.
One hundred thousand people had col
lected to see parade consisting of 10000
people on horseback. on foot and in car
riages, marching to the music of brass
bands, drums and flies, music which years
ago typihed fierce wars. Never in the
history of Nashville has there been such
an outpouring; never such procession,
and on the faces Of lookers-on and of some
of bent figures stepping briskly and
proudly could be seen the suggestion that
never would there again be seen such an
other parade.
Promptly the parade started. police on
horseback clearing, the way, and from
start to finish the best of order prevailed.
All vehicles were kept from the streets
not included in the line of march. and the
street cars stopped running. The parade
was cheerfully accorded the full right of
way. From the starting point, the custom
house, through the cenrer of the city,
around the public square, out Broad street
to Vanderbilt University. where the pa
rade broke ranks, dense mass of enthusi-
astic people greeted the old soldiers, their
generals and the beautiful ladies who took
welcoming and speeding their departing
guests, and they did it with whole-souled
cordially inspiring to witness.
Gen. w. III. Jackson of Nashville, chief
marshal. headed the parade, his staff con-
sisting of distinguished men.
Commander-in-C Chief Gordon and his
staff came next, with the Savannah Hus-
sars as escorts. Gen. Vaughan, the new
major general of Tennessee division, came
next; then the state divisions. each division
preceded by sponsors, maids of honor and
invited guests beautifully attired in sum-
mer costumes.
South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida,
Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Virginia,
Arkansas, Missouri, KENTUCKY, Maryland,
Indian Territory, New York, Illinois,
North Carolina, Texas. Oklahoma, West
Virginia and the District of Columbia all
had veterans in line, and the Tennessee d.
vision brought up the rear of this impress
sive display of soldierly looking men and
beautiful women.
The sons of veterans marched and were
commanded by Robert ]. Smyth of
Charleston. The Daughters of the Con-
federacy were present in large numbers,
and rode in carriages. Gen. w. Il. Bate,
Gen. Jos. Wheeler and Gen S. B. Buck
ner were in a carriage at the head of the
Tennessee division. Gen. A. 2. Stewart,
Gen. NJ. G. Butler, Mrs. H. B. Buckner and
Mrs. w. Bate preceded in carriage.
Judge Reagan and Gen. Jos. S. Ford rode
with the Texas division. Mrs. A. Z.
Stewart, Robert e. Lee and John Hood
aroused continued cheers. Gen. Stephen
d. Lee was easily recognized. With their
respective divisions the commanding Of
ficers from each state rode, and as they
were recognized shouts went up, and as lit
al no dc haI al hon nj
flags inscribed with the names of bloody
battle fields, mighty roar assembled.
From the time the South Carolina
troops, bearing palmetto branches, began
to move to the music of Dixie" all down
the line until Tennessee's troops passed the
stand where Gen. Gordon for one hour
and a half saluted the passing hosts, the
air was rent with cheers, with roars, with
drum beats, bugle blasts and music by
bands And though at noon two fearful
rain storms drenched spectators and veter-
ans, temporarily disorganizing the parade.
through it all veterans, sponsors, maids or
honor. generals and privates stood to their
posts. and when the storm had passed re-
slmed the line of march.
As was to be expected. the Tennessee di-
vision was the largest, but the adjoining
states furnished thousands. and from the
distant ones the attendance was very
good. After passing the reviewing stand
the parade was dismissed. The bright
rain storm.
The afternoon was devoted to pleasures.
which continued into the evening. Though
the rain storm had caused disappolnt-
ments, had bedraggled the flags and BAN
ners. had drenched the paraders and made
linn the costumes of the ladies, enthusiasm
was not dampened, and in a short time
the streets were again thronged, and OF
the countless thousands the major por-
ton were travelling 10 the auditorium TO
listen to the speeches and witness the clos
ing exercises of the afternoon and even
ing. Cheering was not over. for as each
division marched through the streets to
their quarters shouts again resounded, and
when the muse. which carried the MAORI
ty back to other days. was heard, SHOUTS
again overcame the noises of the city,.
The afternoon was almost general hol-
idoy and .he l'ne of march was hand
somely decorated. The veterans were not
all in uniform, though a large number III
each division wore the uniforms OF the days
of br.:.e, ,..
FT5;l the dismissal Of the participants in
the parade until late this evening the tlde
Of tyavc! was to the exposition. Men,
women and children fastened during the
afternoon to the auditorium to attend the
final exercises of the United Confederate
Veterans. the love feast and flow of ora
tory, interspersed with southern melodies
and the martial music of the days gone by.
Each state was represented in the jubilee
NV delegates, their friends and speaker
selected for the occasion. The speeches
were short, but in variety were most ex-
cellent. suited to the occasion. and were
received with rounds of applause.
Among the speakers were men from
every state, and SO great was the enthus-
iasm and SO insistent the vast audience
which hacked the large auditorium, that It
was after 6 o'clock before the last speech
was made and the last note of southern
melody tioated out. telling to those who
could not get in the building that thu, joy
ous and successful jubilee was ended.
Tonight the same vast throng witnessed
fireworks prepared for the occasion and
listened to the rendering of another
''southern program" by Innes' band.
While old confederate flags, regimentai
flags tattered and torn, appeared in deco
rations and in the parade. equally prom
inent and at every turn was the star
snangled banner, and in the parade the ma
tionaI standard was seen in every division.
II is the unanimous verdict of the veterans
and their visiting friends that the reunion
=. - .uooaccfnl ovar hold