The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-06-25
A THRILLING SPECTACLE
BEAUTIFUL SPONSORS AT THE
HEAD OF EACH DIVISION.
CHEERS AND DRUM-BEATS AND BUGLES
A Proud and Bent Procession to Vanderbilt
Where Ranks Were 'Brohen--The Only
Drawback Was RAIN Confederate
and Union Flags,
and Union Flags,

Nashville, June 24.-Ihe 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 organization, and one of the greatest
ever seen in this city. The streets were
densely crowded, the stars and stripes
and the Confederate flag were conspicu-
Gus in the long line that reached from
the public square TO the Tennessee Cen
tennial Exposition gates.
One hundred thousand people had col
lected to see the parade. Nothing in the
history of Nashville has equalled the out
pouring. never was there such a process
sion. On the faces of onlookers and on
some of the bent figures stepping brisk
y and proudly, could be seen the sugges-
tion that never again would there be such
another parade. The line started prompt
ly, police on horseback clearing 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 right of way From around the pub
lie square. out Broad street to Vanderbilt
University, where the parade broke
ranks, dense mass of enthusiast
cheering: people took part The ai " =
of Nashville were both welcoming ana
speeding their departing guests, and they
did it with whole souled cordiality, in
spring to witness
Gen. w. Ii. Jackson, of Nashville.
chief marshal, headed the procession. his
-. s-+t. 4. l.
Commander in chief, John Il. Gordon,
and staff, came next with the Savannah
Hussars as an escort. General Vaughan,
the new Major General of the Tennessee
division, followed. Then came the State
divisions, each division preceded by spon-
sors. maids of honor and invited guests.
beautifully attired in summer costumes.
South Carolina, Mississippi. Florida, Al
ALBANIA. Georgia. Louisiana, Virginia. Ar
kansas Missouri Kentucky, Maryland,
Indian Territory. New York Illinois,
North Carolina, Texas. Oklahoma. West
Virginia, District of Columbia all had
veterans in line The Sons of Confetler-
ate Veterans also marched, and were
commanded by Robert J. Smythe, of
Charleston. the newly elected COM
mander
The Daughters of the Confederacy
were present in large numbers and rode
in carriages.
General w b. Bate, General JOS.
Wheeler, General II. B. Buckner were
In carriage at the head of the Tennessee
division. General A.. p Stewart, Cen
eral NJ C. Butler, Miss Buckner and
Mrs. w. b. Bate preceded them in car
riage; Judge Reagan and General John
Ix Al
Mrs. A. ?. Stewart, Robert E. Lee and
John III. Hook aroused continued cheers
General Stephen d. Lee was easily
recognized. With their respective divis-
ions, the commanding officers from each
State rode by, and as they were recog-
nized shouts went up and as little bands
marched along bearing tattered flags in
scribed with the names of bloody battle
fields, mighty roar ascended. From the
time the South Carolina troops, bearing
Palmetto branches, started to the music
of Dixie, all down the line until Tennes-
sees troops passed the stand where
General Gordon, for one hour and a half
saluted the passing 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 of honor, generals and
privates, stood to their posts and when
the storm had passed, resumed the line
OF march.
AS was to be expected, the Tennessee
division was the largest, but the adj0in-
ing States furnished thousands and from
the distant ones the attendance was
heavy. After passing the reviewing
stand the parade was dismissed and the
bright sunshine soon removed the traces
Of the rain-st0rm.
Though the rain-storms had bedraggled
the flags and banners, enthusiasm was
not dampened. 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 exercises
of the afternoon and evening. The after
noon was also a general holiday and the
line Of march was handsomely decorated.
The veterans were not all in uniform,
though a large number in each division
wore the uniforms of the days of battle.
Each state was represented in the
exercises at the auditorium by delegates,
their friends and a speaker selected for
the occasion. The speeches were short
but excellent, suited to the occasion and
were received with rounds Of applause.
Captain J. B. O'Brien presided.
Among the speakers were men from
every State, and so great was the en-
thusiasm of the vast audience, which
packed the auditorium, that it was after