The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-04-02
Coming Reunion to Be Held in
Charleston.
THOUSANDS WILL FLOCK THERE
Effort viii be Made to Change
Name of Association.
HISTORY OF THE STATE DIVISION
Miss Louisa Chisolm Has Been Chosen
Sponsor to Represent Alabama
Brandon's Scheme to Have
the Archives Replaced.
HISTORY OF THE STATE DIVISION

The largest and most enthusiastic con-
ventions which have been held in the
south during recent years have been the
annual reunions of the United Confederate
Veterans. They come by the thousands
from all parts of the south, and their
friends and relatives come with them by
the thousands. From $4,000 to so, 900 visitors
are the number which usually attend these
conventions. The first reunion the veter-
ans held was in Jackson, Miss, in 1890.
Since that time conventions have been held
in Chattanooga in 1891, New Orleans in
1892 Birmingham in 1894, Houston in 1895.
Richmond in 1896, Nashville in 1897, and
Atlanta in 1898. This years convention is
to be held in Charleston on May TO- II, II
and 10.
The years convention of 1899 promises
to be as large if not larger than any of
the preceding ones. The people of the
south generally are in a better condition
than they have been since 1892, and the
railroads are counting on handling thou
sands of veterans and their families to
Charleston next month. The Southern rail-
road will run special train from Birmiig
ham direct to Charleston, to accommodate
mediate vicinity. 1t is not known yet just
what day this train will leave.
There are now 1,15S camps in the United
Confederate Veterans, divided out among
the different states as follows: Texas, 29O;
South Carolina, ZIG; Georgia, lis; Alabama,
100; Arkansas, n; Missouri, 76; Tennessee.
70; Mississippi 6S; Louisiana, 81; Kentucky,
40; North Carolina 45; Virginia, 80; Florida,
"a; West Virginia, 81; Indian Territory,
20; Oklahoma, II; Maryland, 49, New
Mexico, 3; Illinois, 2; Montana, 2; Caifor-
mia, 2; District of Columbia, 1; Indiana, 1;
Colorado, l; a total Of 1,15s.
Estimating fifty members to each camp,
there are now 1890 old Confederate soldiers
enrolled in the general organization known
as the United Confederate Veterans. 1t Is
estimated that of the great army of $4,000
men who served under the flag of the Con-
federacy, not more than 10000 Of them are
now alive. An application will be made to
the census bureau to ascertain in the CEN
sus of 1900 how many survivors there are
both of the Confederate and the Union
armies. Such statistics would be most in
teresting and instructive and they can be
obtained without any extra expense.
To Amend the Constitution
An effort will be made in Charleston this
year to amend the constitution of the or
ganization so as to change its name from
the UNITED Confederate Veterans to the
Confederate Survivors Association" This
proposition was voted down at Nashville
by considerable majority, but a similar
resolution was introduced at Atlanta last
year, to be voted ON this year in Charles
ton.
1t Is also proposed to amend the consti-
tuition of the organization so that none
of its officers shall have a higher title or
any other title or rank, than the officers of
the Confederate army and navy had.
Each camp in the whole organization
must decide these two questions and in
struct their delegates to the convention
how to vote.
Each camp is entitled to at least two dele
gates to the convention in Charleston. But
larger camps are entitled to one delegate
for the first twenty members in good
standing, and one more delegate for each
additional ten members By the term
"members in good standing is meant
those that have paid their annual dues of
10 cents each to the general headquarters
in New Orleans These dues should have
been sent to Adjutant- General Norman
at New Orleans by April 1, or as soon af-
terward as possible. He will Immediately
forward back to the camps a certificate
for each of the delegates.
The citizens of Charleston are doing all
in their power to make the reunion sue
cessful and an attractive one. One feat
ure that has been suggested is that every
one of the old Confederate battle flags that
can possibly be obtained, be taken to
Charleston and all of them exhibited to-
gether in one grand display, where they
will fly to the breezes as proudly and as
nobly as they ever did during the great
conflict
The veterans and citizens of Charleston
are making every possible effort to provide
for the visitors entertainment and it is
believed they will do so successfully.