Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-07-20
CONFEDERATE VETERANS
Opening of the Eighth Annual Reunion at
Atlanta, Ga.
Large Fund Raised for Benefit of
Georgia Volunteers Mt the Front
Mrs. Pickett's Book.
Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.

ATLANTA, Ga, July 20.--The eighth re-
union of the United Confederate Veterans
began in this city today. Strictly speak
irg, the exercises commenced Sunday last
with the dedication of a great auditorium
in Piedmont Park. Such meeting as that
of Sunday has, ii is said, never been held
before in Atlanta. 1t was two-fold IN its
nature. While those present remembered
with heartfelt sympathy the old veterans
of the old war, their hearts also went out
to the brave lads who have responded to
the call for a country's honor again, and
who have risked life and everything NOR
tai before Santiago for the national flag
over which their forefathers fought in the
bloody sixties.
The entire proceeds-and hundreds of
dollars were realized-went to the Atlanta
Relief Association to be transmitted to the
Georgia boys at the front. The program
ccntain,i many interesting and patriotic
features and was thoroughly enjoyed by
every person present.
Elaborate Decorations.
The big building is one blaze of red and
white bunting, mingled with stars and bars
and stars and stripes. On the walls and
gracefully suspended from the arches are
portraits of confederate heroes-Lee, john
ston, Evans and many others-making an
effect that is at once strkingly artistic
and unusually beautiful. The speaking Sun
day clearly demonstrated the fact that the
acoustics of the auditorium could not be
b5tter, as the speakers could be heard with
the greatest ease in every corner of the
immense Building. Veterans say that not
in the history of confederate reunions have
they had more satisfactory hall to meet
in.
PROGRAM of Today,
The program for today is as follows
Music by the Reunion Band, doxology by
the audience, led by a cornetist; prayer by
Rev. j. William Jones, DID, of Virginia,
the chaplain general of the United Con-
federate Veterans; music by the band, in
PRODUCTION of speakers by General Evans,
first address of welcome by the mayor of
Atlanta, second address of welcome by
members of the joint committee of the
Georgia legislature, music by the band,
third address of welcome by the governor
of Georgia fourth address of welcome by
the chairman of the executive committee,
music by the band, formal turning over OF
the confederate auditorium, decorated in
honor of the United Confederate Veterans,
by Colonel Evans. president of the Reunion
Association; response by General John Is.
Gordon. commander of United Confederate
Veterans and president of the convention;
annual Grafton by Charles E. Hooker OF
Mississippi; regular business. Evening
Reunions of bTigades, regiments and otner
organizations; bivouacS of comrades on
the grounds, receptions by citizens in the
city unofficial reception to the sponsors,
visiting ladies and to the veterans by the
Order of r. E. Lee.
History of the War.
Mrs. George E. Pickett of Washington,
D. c., widow of Maj. Gen. Pickett, the
hero of Gettysburg on the confederate side,
reached Atlanta Sunday and was al once
taken in charge by the local chapter of
the Daughters of the Confederacy, whose
guest she will be during her stay in this
city. The interesting announcement has
been made that Mrs. Pickett has been for
several years at work on history of the
war between the states. the full manu-
script of which she completed and has
taken to Atlanta. In response to an In
Qutry Mrs. Pickett said:
u really began writing on my history,
or rather my husbands history of the
war, TO- it contains practically all his
notes and reports of the battles, nearly fif-
teen years ago. There is no romance in
the pages, but the strength of the work
will lie in its absolute truth. Gen. PIcketts
account of the battle of Gettysburg, which,
by the way. has never been published, is
given in full and in his own handwriting.
There are many things in the report that
will surprise the public when it first APP
pears"
One year after the close of the conflict
Gen. Pickett was rendered the marshall
ship of Virginia by President Grant, who
Was his close personal friend. The offer
was refused, and the words of Pickett
written to Gen. Grant that occasion
are given in full in the history.
Candidate for Commando Chief.
There is talk. and a good deal Of it, of
electing Gen Stephen d. Lee as command
ar eff fOr no
ence in the city has caused great enthusi-
asm. Adjutant General Moorman is an
ether candidate for the position who has
many friends, but it is quite possible that
Gen. John B. Gordon will be chosen.
Among the sponsors already in the city
are Miss Mary Sayre Semple of Kentucky,
Miss Jennie Yerger of Mississippi, Miss
Idyl Jet Of Texas. Miss Mamie Bryan of
Florida, Miss Sue Johnson of Tennessee
and Miss Ainie Dickinson Lew of West
Virginia.
Miss Della Stringfellow, sponsor-in-chief
for the Sons of Veterans. is also here,
with her list of aids complete. All are
stopping ct the Arogon.