The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-11-23
VETERANS GREET EACH OTHER
FIRST GATHERING OF THE GEOR-
GA DIVISION.

Welcomed to savannah by the May
or ana Associated Confederate Orr
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. scenes nt the
Theater at the Opening of the Con-
ventiOu-The Division Constitution
AdOpted-Geu. Evans Reelected
Division Commander - Organiza-
ton of the Brigades.
The first session of the convention was
held al the theater. and was called 20
order by Mai Gen. Clement A Evans,
commanding the division The leading
feature of the session was the reelection
of Gen. Evans, which was done by unan-
mous standing vote. and amid rousing
and enthusiastic cheers
Gen. Evans was met at the De Soto and
escorted to the theater by a specially APP
pointed committee, consisting of Col. Scre-
ven, Capt. y. d. Blo0dworth and Col. T.
II. Esdl.
In calling the convention to order Gen.
Evans said it was proper and becoming
that men who had faced death on a hun
dred fields, and who had so much reason
to acknowledge and confess the mercy and
the wisdom OF an an-wse and an all-kiud
Creator, should give praise to Him for his
manifold blessings. He asked, therefore.
that the delegates TO the convention rise
and with the audience join in singing
Praise God From Whom all Blessings
Flow" after which Rev. Charles II. Strong
offered the prayer.
There was a scene almost of sublmity
as the old Confederates rose to their feet,
and, led by their commanding general,
sang the solemn words of the hymn. On
the stage were seated, beside the presld-
ing officer of the convention, Gen. c. r.
vine Walker commander Of the South Car
DINA Division, and Gen. George P. Harri-
son, commander of the Alabama Division.
Mayor Herman Myers occupied a seat to
the right Of the commanding general, while
on his left were Col. John screven and the
other members of the Reunion Executive
Committee. Rev. Charles II. Strong, who
was to deliver the invocation, was but a
few feet away, while the background was
filled in by perhaps fifty members of the
Charter Chapter of Daughters of the Con-
federacy and visiting members of that no.
BILE order of Southern women. Filling the
balconies to the rear doors was the i'm
mense audience of people.
Everybody sang. The cracked voices of
some of the old Confeds mingled with the
pure and sweet sopranos Of the women and
q raen of praises went up from gather
ing OF the conquered, but rlsen sons of
the South to the throne of the all-con-
quering jehovah 1t was such a scene as
many have been privileged to read of, but
such rs very few have ever an opportunity
Of witnessing.
The Invocation of Rev Mr.. Strong rang
true with the Inspirations, the memories
and the surroundings of the occasion. Re-
hearsing with brief, clear strokes the fam
ed incidents that had made such a gath
ering Of Confederate soldiers possible, Mr..
Strong delivered a prayer of much force
and power, that kept the audience silent
until the end
At the suggestion Of Gen. Evans and in
the absence of the adjutant general of the
division Cept NJ. p. Usina was unani-
mously elected temporary secretary. The
convention was then declared ready for
the transaction of preliminary business
and the secretary instructed to call the
roll of the camps. More than eighty, or
about two-thirds of the entire number in
the division, responded to the call of the
roll Upon the motion of Capt. C. J.
Thornton. the chair was authorized to up
point a committee of three on credentials,
and appointed Capt. c. j. Thornton, Vet
cram M. Newman and Veteran w. II. Har-
risen.