Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1900-06-13
THE CONFEDERATE REUNION.

'"'e, hen'ucky, opened wednesday,
May 80, and the thousands of veter
ans were splendidly entertained by
the warm hearted Kentuckians.
The conservative estimate puts the
number Of strangers at O,OOO, fully
half of whom are ex Confederates.
Kentucky and Tennessee were repre-
sented by the largest numbers, with
Virgins, Georgia and Arkansas close
behind.
Every depot was a beehive, every
boarding house q caravansary. and
every hotel lobby a crush. Gray coats
filled the streets and the crush and
blsre of brass bands mingled with
the rattling rsll of drums. Long
trains, one after the other, rolled into
the stations and discharged their
loads of veterans and other visitors.
From the rotundas the prettiest
girls of the South wreathed the lob
bies of the hotels with besuty. Hand
some old fellows, wearing their gray
coats as Jsuntily as in the days of 81,
slapped their war time comIa AIDES on
the back and swapped memories Ly
the hour, Occasionally one would
see sturdy young soldier III blue or
a smiling old colored man with vet
erans button proudly cleaning in his
coat lapel. or even an Indian. tall and
swarthy, for North Carolina had sent
little band of Creek warriors who
were Confederate soldiers. and good
ones. too.
The rebel yell rang out as it has
not rung out IN Kentucky for 80
years at the Reunion Hall, a huge
structure built especially for the vet
Grams, in the afternoon. Half an acre
OF humanity stretched out in front of
the stage in the great Through
the open doors steady streams of peo-
pie poured. The whole vast interior
rang with melody, for big band was
blaring out patriotic Southern tunes.
The addresses of welcome and re-
sponses were fine. General Gordon
delivered himself in his usual mimi
Ia ble and magnetic manner, and paid
glowing tribute to Kentucky as the
home of noble people. The Valley
of Virginia was largely represented,
many members of the "Stonewall
Brigade" including its only surviv-
ing commander, Gen. James A. Walk
er, and the famous Stonewall Brigade
Band.
Among the notable men present
were Generals Jno. b. Gordon, Simon
B. Buckner, John II. Reagan, the
only surviving member of President
Davis cabinet, Stephen ID. Lee, Cab
ell, of Texas, Parker, of North Caro-
lima, Crockett, of Virginia. Revs. J.
VIM. Jones and James p. Smith, the
latter member of Stonewall Jack
sons staff, the faithful, ever present
friend, who assisted in bearing the
wounded general from the field on
that memorable night of May ,, '63.
Again Thursday rain interfered
sadly with the program of outdoor
sports and entertainment which
Louisville people had prepared for
the United Confederate Veterans.
The big barbecues, sham battles.
picnics and tournaments had to be
postponed, but every one of the 49,
600 soldiers within the city's gates,
and all of the 10000 other visitors,
enjoyed themselves notwithstanding.
Ten thousand more came in during
the day, and nearly as many came on
Friday for the big parade.
There were stirring scenes during
the business sessions held in Reunion
Hall. For one thing, the present Of
ficers-in- chief, including Generals
Gordon, Hampton, Lee and Csbell,
were reelected by acclimation in less
time than it requires to read of it..
The spirit of a united country per-
vaded the proceedings throughout.
This sentiment was especially notice
able. The recent utterances of Grand
Army men at the reunion of the Ar
my of the Potomac at Fredericks-
burg, Va, were commended in reso-
lutions. The name of Abraham Lin
coin was mentioned in terms of the
highest praise in the report of the
educational committee. This expires.
sion was cheered. Among the reso.