Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-06-07
CONFEDERATESM MEET
The Tenth Annual Reunion Of the
Veterans Formally Opened.
THE OLD REBEL YELL IS GIVEN.


Toes AppOIuteu
L Louisville, Ky, May 31.-Surrounded
by waving banners bearing the fiery
cross of the confederacy, listening to
the cheers from the throats of 5000
men who wore the gray, and con-
fronted by the waving handkerchiefs
of hundreds of ladies, Gen. John b.
Gordon, commander of the United
Confederate Veterans, yesterday for
mally opened the tenth annual re-
union of the order, which, in point of
attendance, is already the largest ever
held since the inception Of the organ
ization.
All things conspired to make the
occasion success with the excep-
ton of the weather, which was about
as disagreeable as well could be. All
through the early hours of the morn
ing rain came down in sheets, in many
cases spelling in great measure the
decorations with which the build
ings are so profusely covered. Later
in the morning the sky cleared, and
there was promise of fine weather,
but just before the hour set for the
calling of the convention to order
the clouds rolled up, hung over the,
city for few minutes and then sim
ply let loose their hold and fell into
the streets square yard at time.
All during the meeting the rain f"'l
heavily.
Despite this drawback the opening
meeting of the reunion was a great
success. BY 1890 the hall was well
filed. A portion of the Georgia dele
cation headed by drum corps came
marching in, making the building ring
with martial music and calling forth
cheers from those assembled in the
hall. The delegation carried large
confederate flag which it waved with
yells and cheers.
A veteran from Georgia walked the
crowd to genuine enthusiasm when
he came in carrying the old battle
flag of the Third Georgia infantry.
Scarcely had he taken his seat when
the band struck up "Dixie' and then
came the old rebel yell and it came
with fire and vigor that never was
surpassed during the days of the war.
"The Bonnie Blue Flag" ."My Mary
land,' and other songs of the war
time followed. !
On the platform beside Gen. Poyntz
were Gen. Simon D. Buckner Rev. j.
William Jones, Hon. Joseph II. Rea-
gan, the only surviving member of
the cabinet of Jefferson Davis; Gen.
W. T.. Cabell, Gen. j. H. West, Col.
Thomas w. Bullitt, Col. Bennett H..
Young, Rev. Carter H. Jones, DR.. B..
NJ. IulllltT anu OllleTS.
Col. Thomas W. Bullitt extended a
greeting on behalf of the members of
the board of trade, Rev. Carter N.
Jones spoke for the commercial
club Attila Cox for the finance COM
mittee of the reunion and Judge Ha-
zelrigg, of the supreme court of Ken
lucky, on behalf of the Kentucky di-
vision of the confederate veterans.
The last welcoming address of the day
was delivered by Gen. Simon Bolivar
Buckner, who spoke for the confeder-
ates of Kentucky Col. Bennett H.
Young, of this city, chairman of the
reunion committee, presented the
building to the veterans in an elo-
quent speech. He told of the services
which Kentucky had rendered to the
confederacy during the days of the
war and how she had guarded the
ashes of the 10000 dead confederate
soldiers who lie buried within the
state. He said that in all respects,
during the war and since the war
the confederates of Kentucky had
kept faith with the confederates of
the seeding states and were never
more ready to do their part than now.
He then in graceful way presented
the building to the visitors who were
to do with it as they chose.
Gen. John B. Gordon, commander OF
the United Confederate Veterans, re-
sponded to the address of Col Young
Gen. Gordon's speech was received
with great applause at frequent in
teryals.
AS the general resumed his seat
Gen. Poyntz, in a neat Introductory
speech, brought forward Rev. B. NJ
Palmer, of New Orleans, who deliv.
cred the annual address.
At the conclusions of the address
| of DIR Palmer tho meatinr od;ourpad