The evening times., 1899-04-26
REUNION OF TEE BOYS
WHO WORE TEE GRAY
Elaborate Preparations Made
at Charleston, s. C.
Washington Camps to Be Well Rep
resented.
Confederate Veterans to Dedicate .
New Hall-General Joe Wheeler
the Principal Speaker.

A great deal Of interest is manifested
in the Confederate veteran circles over the
coming reunion at Charleston, S. c.
The local camps Of the Confederate vet
Grams have been working for some time
past preparing for the coming event, and
they expect that it will be one Of the
greatest that has ever been held. A large
delegation will be sent from this city,
and will probably leave here Saturday.
May 6, in order to be in Charleston for
the opening exercises early the following
week. The local delegation will include
q number of ladies, who will accompany
the delegation in order to enjoy the beauty
Of the Southern city in the early spring.
The camps OF the Confederate veterans
in this city are among the most active in
the entire organization and have a very
large membership. They are composed Of
men from every State In the South who
are in the Government departments here,
although some Of the Southern men still
retain afiliation with their home organi-
cations. The Washington camps were or
ganized number of years ago, and have
been in successful operation since. The
objects of the association are social, fra
ternal, and beneficial, and it has accom-
plished a great deal of good. 1t has been
the custom for years past to hold reunions
in the principal Southern cities and these
occasions have always been greatly en-
joyed by former wearers OF the gray.
The National Association is presided
over by Gen. John B. Gordon. Of Georgia.
the famous Confederate cavalry leader. and
former Senator. and the affairs Of the or
ganization are In the hands OF an execu-
tive or governing COMMITTEES.
At the coming meetihg great many ora
81 ,,-tIl Ia h,.t ba
most important sr.S"h will b, delivered
by Gen. Joseph Wheeler who will be pres
ent, both III his capacity as member OF
the organization ard as guest. 1 he citi-
zens Of Charleston expect to make his
meeting the most important in the history
OF the veterans organization. Extensive
preparations for the event have been under
way for the past year and Accommodations
have been secured for at least 10000 visit
ors. The problem that presented itself to
the committee in charge OF the reunion
when the plan was first broached was not
whether the city could accommodate the
influx of visitors, but where they could find
building large enough to hold the dele
gates. Fer a long time it appeared al
though a tent would have to be secured,
but the city council finally came to the
rescue with an appropriation for a build
ing that would seat 1000 persons. The
finished.
In this enormous hall the meeting of the
association will be held and all of the
business pertaining to the organization
will be transacted On Tuesday, May 9,
impressive ceremonies will be held in the
structure when 1t will be dedicated to the
Confederate veterans. 1t is at this time
that it is expected some of the greatest
oratorical efforts CT the reunion will be
made and already almost every one of the
seats has been reserved by the various
delegations.
A great many entertainments have been
prepared for the edifioation OF the visitors
and many new places Of amusement have
been opened. Several Islands In Charles
ton have b:en bsautified AMI will be thrown
cpen while Fort Sumter will probably at
tract a great deal Of attention. Excursions
will be run daily to the various seaside re-
sorts in the vicinity of Charleston and ey-
erything possible will be done by the city
for its guests.