Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-05-11
THE REUNION OPENS,
Charleston Ab|azs With Flags
and the Weather Beautiful
ATTENDANCE VERY LARGE,
Virginia Well Represented In Polnt
Of Numbers, as Otherwise.
CARE OF CONFEDERATE GRAVES.
Proposed Resolutions Commencing
President McKinIey's Suggestion
Referred, After Brief Debate-3,00o
Veterans i'm the Parade.

CHARLESTON, s. c.. May io.-tSpe-
cial )-Charleston Is all ablaze with flags.
bunting, enthusiasm. and glory. The Con-
federates have captured. and are fully
holding the city, as during the brave old
days OF 1ssl-65. II is one OF the largest
crowds that ever attended a reunion. ana
every nook and corner OF historic. battle
Scared. patriotic Charleston teens with
emblems OF the gray. echoes with Con-
federate yells. and is fragrant with hal
lowed memories.
| The historic points I'm and around the
city are visited by thousands. and MEM
cries OF the revolution OF 1I76 mingie with
| those Of the heroic defence OF Charles
| ton. when from April. ISL, TO February.
1866. the old town held out against the
mighty combinations brought against
her, resisted every attack with a skill
and heroism Never surpassed and only
| evacuated the forts and the city after
| sherman's march through the State
| brought him TO the back door.
EVERY DOOR OPEN.
| Not only the gates OF the city. but every
door OF these charming homes. are thrown
wide open. and Charleston II doing her.
self proud" by hospitality that 10 as
graceful as II Is bounteous. The audito-
rum, built especially for the occasion.
at cost OF $500. and located in the
| heart OF the city. is without exception.
the most beautiful and the most conve-
| nient one in which the Confederates have
ever met. II seats comfortably 1000 peo-
pie. and its acoustics are well-nigh per-
feet.
The decorations Of the auditorium are
in excellent taste and very beautiful. and
while "Od Glory" has its appropriate
place. the Confederate cOIors and the
battle-fag of the Confederacy predomi-
nate. Charleston is not afraid OF 'the
conquered banner" but while loyal 10 tho
STARS and Stripes" glories in the story
OF the glory OF our bonnie. bonnie nag"
and the hallowed memories OF our great
struggle for constitutional freedom.
ENTHUSIASM AT WHITE HEAT.
The meeting this morning and the pro-
cession and memorial services this after
noon were on the same line. and Con-
federatc enthusiasm Is now at white heat
| all through he city.
The ovatioas accorded Wade Hampton
last night and Gordon. Stephen ID. Lee,
Mrs. Stonewall Jackson, Mrs. Kirby
| Smith, Mrs John Il. Gordon. and others
to-day were such as only old Confede-
rates can give. The procession to-day
was q magnificent success. A clear sky
and balmy breezes brought out all OF the
people OF the city and the surrounding
country, and the line OF march was
through beautifully-decorated streets.
lined on either side with cheering crowds.
CHEERS FoEhv!RGINrANs
our vIrginians mustered $50 strong. and
were cheered enthusiastically ali along
the march.
A very marked feature in the parade.
| and on the platform at the auditorium,
was display OF old Confederate battle
| flags, torn and rent in battle. bot redo
lent Of the most haiiowed memories OK
heroic deeds noticed among others tho
battle-fag OF the Thlrty-third Virginia
Regiment. which Colonel w. ii. g. Bay
Tor. IN command OF the old Stonewail
Brigade. was carrying when he fell dead
with the shout or victory on his lips. on
the field OF Second Manassas. and which