The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-06-25
GRAND PARADE OF THE GRAY.
MORE THAN 10000 VETERANS IN
LINE AT NASHVILLE.


Gus Roar of Cheers-The Men
March by States and Each Delega-
tiOn Headed by a Leader Famous
on Many a Bloody Battlefield.
Nashville, Tenn, June 24.-The parade
of the United Confederate Veterans to-
day, the closing event of the reunion, in
which more than 10000 veterans took part,
was the largest in the history of the or
ganization, and one of the creates 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 public square to the
Tennessee Centennial Exposition gates.
A Numbered thousand people had collected
to see the parade Nothing in the history
of Nashville has equalled the outpouring,
never was there such a procession. On the
faces of the lookers-on and of some of
the bent figures stepping briskly and
proudly could be seen the suggestion that
never again would there be such another
parade.
The line started promptly. Police on
horseback cleared the way and from
start to finish the best Of order prevailed.
All vehicles kept off the streets, 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 CEN
ter of the city, around the public square,
out Broad street to Vanderbilt University,
where the parade broke ranks, a dense
mass of enthusiastic cheering people
greeted the old soldiers their generals and
the beautiful women who took part.
The citizens Of Nashville were both well
coming and speeding their departing
guests and they did it with whole-souled
cordiality inspiring to witness.
Gen. w. H. Jackson of Nashville, chief
marshal, headed the procession, his staff
consisting of distinguished men. Com
mander-in-Chief John B. Gordon and
staff came next with the Governor s
Horse Guard of Atlanta. Following the
chief marshal and Gen. Gordon came
Troop A, Capt. Hagar, commanding of
Tennessee cavalry and thirteen young la
dies on horseback as the escort and guard
of honor.
the Tennessee division followed. Then
came two state divisions, each division
proceeded by sponsors. maids of honor
and invited guests, beautifully attired in
summer costumes.
South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Al
ALBANIA, Georgia, Louisiana, Alabama, Ar
kansas. Missouri Maryland, Indian Ter
ritory, New York, Illinois, North Carolina
Texas, Oklahoma, West Virginia, Dis
trict of Columbia, all had veterans in
line.
The Sons of Confederates also marched
and were commanded by Robert j. Smyth
of Charleston, the newly elected com
mander.
present In large numbers. and rode in
carriages
Gen. w. B. Bate, Gen. Joseph Wheeler
and Gen. S. b. Buckner were in carriage
a the head of the Tennessee division
Gen. A. p. Stewart. Gen. Nj. C. Butler,
Miss Buckner and Mrs. w. B. Bate pre-
ceded them in q carriage
Judge Reagan and Gen. John S. Ford
rode with the Texas division.
Mrs. A. p Stewart, Robert Z. Lee and
John H. Hood aroused continued cheers
Gen. Stephen ID. Lee was easily rec
ognzed. With their respective divis-
ions, the commanding officers from each
state rode by, and as they were recognized
shouts went up and as little bands march,
ed along bearing tattered flags inscribed,
with the names of bloody battle1elds, a
mighty roar ascended.
From the time the South Carolina
troops, bearing palmetto branches, start
ed to the music Of Dixie all down the
line until the Tennessee troops passed the
stand where Gen. Gordon for one hour
and half reviewed the passing posts.
the air was rent with cheers with drum
beats MI hy
And though at noon rain fell in torrents,
veterans, sponsors, maids of honor, gem
erals and privates stood at their posts
and when the storm had passed. resumed
tAa line of march.
AS was to be 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 rain
storm. Though the rain storms had bed
raggled the flags and banners, the enthu-
siasm was not dampened, I'm 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 exercises
OF the afternoon and evening.
The afternoon was also a general holiday
and the line OF march was handsomely
decorated. The veterans were not al IN
UNIFORM, though a large number In each
division wore the uniforms Of the days OF
battle.
Each state was represented IN the exer-
clses at the auditorium by delegates, their
friends and a speaker selected for the Oc-
casion. The speeches were short. but ex-
cellent suited to the occasion and we're
received with rounds Of applause. Capt. J.
B. OBrien presided. Among the speakers
we're men from every state, and so great
was the enthusiasm Of the vast audience
which packed the auditorium that II was
after o'clock before the last speech was
made and the last note OF n southern mel
ody noated out telling those who could not
get In the building that the joyous and
successful jubilee was ended.
Tonight the same vast throng wltucss-
ed the fireworks prepared for the occasion
and listened TO the rendering OF another
southern programme" BY lines band.
While the old confederate nags regi-
mental nags, 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