Daily Kennebec journal., 1899-05-12
GEN. Joe WHEELER
Sets The Confederate Veterans Wild With En-.
thusiasm at Charleston Reunion.

thusiasm at Charleston Reunion.
Charleston, S. c., May 1.-THE Con-
federate veterans held but one session.
today, which, shortly after noon. gave
way to the Winnie Davis memorial ex-
ercises, at the conclusion of which an
adjournment until tomorrow was TAX
en-. The announcement that Gen. Jos.
Wheeler was to speak filled the audi
torium and the hero of two wars was
given a rOusing reception by the i'm
mense audience. The prayer at the
opening of the session was offered by
Rev. DR.. Smith of Stonewall Jacksons S
brigade.
The delegates and visitors devoted
the afternoon to excursions to nearby
resorts, trips down the bay and social
functions, and, tonight, concert was
given at the auditorium where a su-
perb choir and orchestra rendered
programme of Southern war songs.
The committee on discussions to
which was referred Gen. Lees resolu-
ton accepting President McKinleys
proposal that the federal government
should make provision for the care of
the graves of Confederate dead spent
several hours discussing thematter, to-
day. and finally compromise resolu-
ton was framed to the effect that if
the national government desires to care
for the graves, the Confederate veter-
ans do not object to it's taking charge
of those in the North and near the old
war prisons. The resolutions will state
that the women of the South have un-
N1,1,r
serve the graves in the South The
modified resolution has been submitted
to Cen Lee and he is understood to
have accepted it. The matter will be
laid before the convention, tomorrow
The election of officers will occur, to-
morrow. Gen. John i. Gordon has no
opposition to reelection as commander
in-chief and his election will probably
be unanimous.
Gen. Stephen d. Lee will present the
important rcport of the committee on
history. tomorrow. Considerable inter-
est is ccntered on this report.
Committees on credentials and reso-
Iutions were appointed ana letter
from Gen. FitzhuEh Lee was read. Gen
eral Lee said that his duties are 50
pressing that he will bc unable to attend
the reunion.
General Gordon then introduced Gen.
Joe Wheeler. 81 need not tell you" said
Gen. Gordon, that here is one Of the
wittiest of Confederate wizards. | need
not tell You Of that day in Santiago when
he saw the Spaniards flying before him
and when in the wild enthusiasm OF the
moment he forgot where he was ana
s,i.1 hA
Yankees are running. If 1 should tell
YOU any Of these things | would strike a
chord in every heart. but | am not going
to do it. | am going to strike every
chord at \ single stroke at once by call
ing the name of Joe Wheeler"
The audience wildly applauded. Almost
every sentence Of Cen. Wheeler's speech
stirred the veterans to frenzy Of enthu-
siasm.
After decided to defer the selection Of
next years reunion city. the veterans ad-
iourned until tomorrow. Baltimore and
Louisville are the leading contestants for
the next encampment.
Gen. Wheeler's reference to the gen
eral sorrow caused By the death of
Winnie Davis affected many to tears.
He closed amid much applause ard the
orchestra played America
Then Cen. Gordon advanced to the
front of the stage. followed by Gen.
wade Hampton. escorted by Col.
Holmes and Major Barker, the former
bearing a beautiful silk flag, one side
of which was the battle flag of the
Confederacy and the reverse the state
flag of South Carolina. Col. Holmes
presented the flag to Gen. Hampton as
the gift of the Daughters OF the Con-
fadaracy to the United Confederate |
Veterans. Gen Hampton tAen pre-
sented the flag to Gen. Gordon VINO ac-
cepted in a graceful address. He was
greeted with tremendous applause
In presenting the nag Gen. Hamp-