The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1899-04-05
THE GREAT REUNION.
Charleston Plans to Care fOr the Con-
federate Veterans.

NHAkl.f.SlON, -. ", ADIll I'll
rations for the Confederate Veterans
reunion have now entered! upon the
detail stage, but six weeks remaining
before the big occasion. The executive
committee and the sub committee have.
been at work for several months laying
out plans with great care, and thest.
are NOW being put into execution. The
prospects are that the affair will be OK
ccllcntly managed and that the Charles
ton reunion will be marlcdn as the most
successful and enjoyable OF these IA
nous gatherings yet hell. The task of
entertaining the vast numbers that are
expected is no light one for Charleston.
When it is considered that ut least 40.
600 people. and probably more, will
visit this city, and that the white pop
ulatiOn of Charleston is far short of
that number, an idea of the undertak-
ing can be grasped.
The question of accommodation for
this great crowd has been the most
serious problem presented, but it is be-
lieved that it has been solved. The
housing and feeding of the visitors will
be accomplished chiefly by the citizens
generally throwing open their houses
the time turned into public hOstelries.
The committee III charge of this feature
has made Il thorough canvass of the
city and has induced nearly every
householder to undertake the enter
tanment of as MANY visitors us ran be
slowed away. The response has been
generous, because it is appreciated that
handled and the people are willing
to sacrifice their personal convenience
to sustain the reputation of the city.
1t is believed. therefore, that the ma
.jOrity of visitors will find bed and
board ut reasonable rates in private
families. The overflow will be pro-
vided for at public dormitorics to be
administered by the committee. the
various school buildings, public halls
and warehouses having been secured
for the purpose and now being fitted
UP for use. Charleston is particularly
| well equipped with warehouses suited
for these needs, having many eXten-
siyc buildings along the water front,
where sanitary arrangements can read
lily be attached.
The "Confederate Hotels for in,li-
gent veterans unable to pay board will
be established on the water front, near
the principal streets Of the city. but
sufficiently remote to accord privacy.
COmmissary arrangements have been
made and the veterans will be excel
lently cared for.
THE AUDITORIUM.
The auditorium in which the conven-
tiOn will hold its sessions is rapidly ap-
prOaching completion. 1t is very large
md an extremely handsome building.
The exterior is finished, except the roof,
which is now being laid, and the in
building will accommodate about 1000
people. 1t will be formally dedicated
on the. evening of May 8, the day be-
fore the reunion opens, program OF
special services having been arranged
for the occasion. The auditorium will
be used for big reception to the spon-
sOrs and fora Confederate song service
on different evenings during the re-
union, and possibly series of war tab
leaux will be given there. it is admi-
ra0y adapted for all these purposes.
OPENING TIE REUNION
The reunion will be opened formally
on May 10. The veterans will be
formed in line of parade at the corner
of Broad and Meeting streets, in front
of the historic st. Michael's church, and
will march i'll procession to the audi
tOrium, in departmental formation.
The procession will be reviewed by
ena GeneTal G"naDa Gordon as it P2sses PWas Marion
manding the South Carolina division,
U. Z. ", has been appointed by Gen
eral Gordon chief marshal of the pa
rade.
The convention will be called to
order by General Walker. He will in
trOducc first Hon. r. i}. Gary. speaker
of the South Carolina house, of repre-
tions passed at the last session of the
general assembly inviting the veterans
to Charleston III the name of the State
General Walker will then present the
governor of South Carolina to welcome
the veterans on behalf OF the State. 1t
is feared that Governor Ellerbe, be-
cause of his i'll health, will not be able
Lieutenant Governor M. Il. McSwccny
will probably act in his stead. Mayor
j. Adger Smyth will extend the city's
welcome, and General Walker will
speak for the veterans. The conven-
tion will then he tiiriiei. over to Gene
raj Gordon.
ENTERTAINING THE VISITORS.
Besides the official receptions ana
the reunions of various commands dur
ing the reunion, there will be much to
entertain the visitors, both veterans
and others. Charleston affords great
interest from historical view, the
surrounding country, the bay with its
forts and batteries being rich in mem
Orable scenes. A committee has been
charged with marking the battleficlds
around the city, and those points will
be visited by many who bore an active
part upon them in the great defense of
Charleston under Beauregard, Lee and
Ripley. Fort sumter will be open to
visitors, special order from the secre-
taryO Of war having been secured where
by the usual military rule barring visi-
tors from forts is suspended. 1t Is ex-
pected that one or more warships will
be in the bay during the reunion, the
secretary of the navy having promised
to detail any available vessels to the
to secure the Raleigh, which is now re-
turning from Manila, as one of these
ships. The Raleigh will have particu-
lar interest as being one of the vessels
engaged i'll the battle Mt Manila under
Dewey.
There will be many private enter