The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-05-12
CHEERING THE VETS
Scenes Of Enthusiasm at the Con-
isdefates' Reunion.
GEN. WHEELER's NOISY GREETING

The Little Cavalry Leader of Two
Wars Deeply Affected by the warmth
Of His Reception-wade Hampton
Retires to the Ranks.
Charleston, May 12.-The Confeder-
ate Veterans held but one session yes
terday, which shortly after noon gave
way to the Whine Davis memorial ex-
ercises, at the conclusion of which an
adjournment until 10 O'Clock was
taken. The announcement that Gen
eral Joseph Wheeler was to speak
filed the auditorium.
After some routine business the
feature of the days session took place.
It was General Wheeler's address, and
the scene that attended his introduce
ton was one of frantic enthusiasm.
Advancing to the front of the platform
General Gordon held up his hand, and
absolute silence was upon the vast
audience as he said:
Comrades, l have here real treat
for you. II I should tell this conven-
ton there is here the hero of San
tiago"--
General Gordon could get no further.
A wild burst of applause Numbered
forth, rebel yells split the air and hats,
canes and handkerchiefs were waved
as the great audience rose to its feet.
Finally securing quiet General Gordon
spoke of General Wheeler as "the man
who at Santiago held to the front place
the army and flag of America"
Again the applause burst out, and
rising the assemblage continued cheer
ing until the scene was one of the
widest that has ever marked re.
union.
Proceeding, General Gordon declared
Wheeler one Of "the widest wizards Of
the Confederacy," and then repeated
the apocryphal STORY of the famous
little cavalryman when at Santiago he
exclaimed as the Spanish lines broka:
Forward, boys; the Yanks are run
ming" Again the applause broke forth.
The audience rose as General
Wheeler stepped forward, apparently
much affected. He wore black Prince
Albert suit, with badges on each lapel
of his coat. One was yellow by chance
and the other was red. He spoke de-
liberately, calmly and clearly, the au-
dience giving him close attention. His
reference to the general sorrow caused
by the death of Winnie Davis affected
many to tears. He closed amid much
applause and the orchestra played
America"
Then occurred one of the most pic
turesQue incidents of the session. Gen
eral Gordon arose and advanced to
the front Of the stage, followed by
General Wade Hampton escorted by
Colonel Holmes and Major Barker, the
former bearing beautiful silk flag,
one side of which was the battlefag
Of the Confederacy and the reverse the
state flag of South Carolina. In few
well chosen words Colonel Holmes pre-
sented the banner to General Hampton
as the gift of the Daughters of the
Confederacy of Charleston to the Uni
ted Confederate Veterans.
Turning, General Hampton presented
the flag to General Gordon, who ac-
cepted it with graceful little address.
Here, as on all occasions when he ap-
pears, General Hampton was greeted
with tremendous applause, the old vet
eran of the famous legion that bore his
name being the idol not only Of his
state, but the whole south In present
ing the flag General Hampton also re-
signed as commander of the Army
of the Northern Virginia, saying he
would serve In the ranks as private.
He gave as a reason that his declining
years and physical weakness rendered
him unable to give to the Office the
and energy it demands. Many
of the veterans were visibly affected
at the generals words, and for an in
slant absolute silence prevailed. Then,
as if by common impulse they rose
and cheered Justify. Bowling his
General Hampton stepped back
and soon afterward left the rostrum
The report of the Jefferson Davis
committee, which was sub
niitted yesterday, indorses the sug-
of the monument be turned over to tho
Daughters of the Confederacy. The
report shows the committee now has on
hand $19,9S2 1t urges an active and
aggressive movement for the COM
pletion of the proposed monument at
and says that the commit
tee has concluded from the ill success
which its efforts have met with that |
the cooperation of the women of the |
south is absolutely necessary if the
project Is to be consummated.
The delegation and visitors devoted
he afternoon to excursions to nearby
resorts, trips down the bay and social
and last night concert was
given at the auditorium, where su- |
perb choir and orchestra rendered |
program on southern war songs.
The committee on resolutions, to |
which was referred General Lees reso-
ution accepting President McKinley's
that the federal government
should make provision for the care
If the graves Of Confederate dead,
'pent several hours discussing the mat
er yesterday, and finally compromise
was framed, and this will
,e offered as substitute. The sub
'titute is to the effect that if the ma
ional government desires to care for
he graves the Confederate veterans
10 not object to its taking charge o.
hose in the north and in the neigh
,orhood of the old war prisons. The
will state that the women
If the south have voluntarily under
aiken to decorate and properly pre-
erve the graves in the south, and the
association does not feel warranted in
aking from them what they have
,rown to regard as duty.
The election of officers will occur
his afternoon. General John B. Cor
lon has no opposition to reelection as
ommander-in-chief and his election
will be unanimous.
Disastrous Fire in Austria.