The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-11-11
GORDON CANNOT ATTEND.
COMMANDER OR VETERANS HELD
DOWN BY OTHER ENGAGEMENTS.

- - - $500 49, - AtNAA@AN -
Gen. John II. Gordon Writes Col.
ScreVeR "a Gracious Letter From
Iowa, In Which State He Is Now
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Hold Up
on His Affections Grows Stronger
as the Years Pass-Gen. George p.
Harrison Accepts an Invitation.
Bull Street Squares TO BE Deeorat-
ed for Days and Nights of Reunion.
The street VIII BE AbInze From
WharVes to Monument.
Gen. John B. Gordon. commanding the
entire body of United Confederate Veter-
ans, will not be able to attend the reunion
in Savannah, on the I'D, Esd and 2th of
the present month. This decision on the
pare Of Gen. Gordon will be a matter of
deep regret TO many Confederates through
out the state, who~had counted confidently
upon seeing at this time their old COM
mander and comrade IN arms.
Gen, Gordon's letter of declination was
received by Col John Screven yesterday.
1t is dated from Algona, a town in Iowa
through which state Gen. Gordon is now
making a lecturing tour. Though it is
couched in the most courteous and APP
preciative terms, ii does not serve to soften
the disappointment felt by the members
of the Executive Committee at the enforc-.
cd absence of Gen. Gordon, upon an oc-
casion when they had all expected TO see
ana hear him. The letter was read at the
meeting of the committee last night and
is as follows:
My dear Colonies: Your cordial letter
is none the less appreciated because of its
failure 10 reach me. Mrs. Gordon writes
me of it and sent ii 10 find me on my Ice
ture tour; but it has not yet overtaken me.
Your generous heart, l am sure, will die
tate pardon for this unseemly delay,
when you learn that | have been waiting
with the hope of receiving it."
L can wait no longer and write 10 as
sure you of the great pleasure it would
give me 10 accept the cordial invitation.
OF this, however, you do not need 10 be
told. 1t is a matter of exceeding regret
that my engagements, which l cannot now
abandon. deprive me of the privilege of
being with you and the dear old Confeder-
ates, whose hold on my affections and adj
mlration grows stronger as the years
pass
Please accept my sincere thanks, and
believe me, with all good wishes, faithful
ly, your friend, John b. Gordon"
letter of invitation had been sent by
Chairman Screven to Gen. George p. Har-
rison of Opelika commanding the Ala
bama Division of United Confederate Vet
GRAMS and a cordial. acceptance has been
received on his visit to Savannah. which
is his old home, Gen. Harrison will be ac-
companied by Mrs. Harrison. 1t will be
matter of great pleasure to his old
friends in Savannah to meet with Gen
Harrison again, { nd they viii be gra tilted
at the opportunity TO welcome him in his
new capacity of commander of the Ala
to evidence to the General its pleasure in
the fact that he has been elevated to a
command to which his services to and his
interest IN the Lost Cause so fairly entf-
tie him.
Col. Bennett H. Young of Louisville, has
sent his regrets. Col. Young is chairman
of the Executive Committee of the Reun-
ion of the entire Confederation of Veter-
ans that will take place in Louisville next
May. In his letter to Col Screyen, be
expressed the hope that he will meet with
the Savannah veterans at that time and
place, an1 assures them he will endeavor
to repay the sense of gratitude he feels.
The Executive Committee increased the
appropriation of the Committee on Deco
ration and illumination $3.50, for the pur-
pose of ornamenting the squares on Bull
street during the days and nights of the
reunion, which win complete .Hhe orna-
memation of the street north of Forsyth
Gafk. An eHOrt VIII De made to make
Bull street particularly attractive, because
of the fact that it will naturally be the
principal promenade of the visiting veter-
ans and others, and of the further fact
that most of the buildings and halls In
which The sessions of the conventions and
other events of the reunion will be held
are situa ted on that thoroughfare.
Funds were provided for the Committee
on Entertainment for displays of fireworks
in the Park extension on two nights of
the reunion, Wednesday and Thursday II
was felt that by Friday night a large pro-
portion of the veterans would have left
the city, and that fireworks on that even
ing would be IAN almost useless expendi-
tIre, that could be probably diverted to
the entertainment of the crowds along
some other line.
1T was determined to ask the railroads
to assist in the work of distributing the
literature of the reunion along the lines
of their respective roads. They are TO be
requested. fer instance, to take a given
number of the guide books and see TO their
distribution among the towns and villages
reached by their trains. All advertise
ment of the reunion, Of course, rebounds
~ he advantage of the roads. and 1t Is
ivpei they viii express a cordial willing
ness to help in this work.
TnCAF. PEP gnNAT