The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-05-31
THE STORY OF THE PARADE.
The shot-Torn Battle Flags Of North Carolina
Float in the Column.
(By the Associated Press. }

Float In Inc column.
(By the Associated Press.)
Memphis, Tenn, May 90.-Marching
once more beneath their battleags, their
hearts aflame with the glorious memo
ries of forty years ago, their advance
and halt once more regulated by the
bugle's blast, their steps again timed
by the tap of drums, 1000 of the South's
immortals marched through the streets
of Memphis today.
That the recollection of what they
dared, of what they suffered and en-
dured, that the appreciation of THEN
constancy, their triumphs and their
Valor are still as fresh in the hearts
of their people a sever they have been
in the past, the old soldiers received
ample evidence today. AS their col
umns passed along the crowded streets
the cheers that came to them from the
throngs that lined the thoroughfares
the fervent applause that fioated down
from balconies windows and housetops,
causel the old eyes to brighten. the old
shoulders to swing backward and the
marching ranks to close up as if to
show thatsalthough they We're now less
vigorous than sof3 old there was time
When they We're as manly men as trod
the earth and who feared nothing that
could be sent against them by a world
in arms. 1t would be no mortal man,
who conscious of duty dones as best he
could do it, with his heart filled with
the memories of the manifold hard
ships OF war bravely come the alterna-
ton of the triumph of victory and the
bitterness of defeat could remain un-
moved by the enthusiastic acknowl-
edgement of his fellow citizens, of the
debt they owed to him and to all others
who had done so as he had done.
On this, as on similar occasions, there
was underlying the oy and cheers the
strong current of sorrow that swept
out toward these men who died in fight
who, their need assured by the price
they paid had earned above all others
the right to bear the pfaudits of those
they loved and for whom they gave
their lives, and whose hands the old
soldiers of today can never clasp until
the years are gone and there is a full
muster of the armies of the South be-
yond the river Of death.
1t was day ideal for parade, a sun
Ginning at intervals, at times hidden
by clouds "a gentle breez barely strong
enough to lift to their full ength the
banners carried by the marchaing men,
temperature warm enough to be COM
Portable, but in no sense oppressive
THE MARCH BEGINS.
The announcement was made yester-
day by Commander John b. Gordon that
the parade today would start promptly
at 10 o'clock, but unavoidable delays
caused fully thirty minutes to elapse
from that time before the march be-
gan. BY o'clock the crowds had COM
menced to arrive and seek places of
vantage from which to view the pageant
and by 10 O'Clock there was no standing
roo INTO be had on any sidewalk along
the line of march and the crowd had
overtiowed into the street. The police
vainly endeavored to keep all Sightseers
upon the sidewalk, but they were con-
tending with the proposition Of crowd
ing the larger body into the smaller
space and necessarily gave up the un-
dertalIing In front of the grand stand
on Main street, there was a solid mass
of humanity which for a time defiied
all efforts to open a passage through
which the parade would pass. 1t was
finally done, however, and once the pa
rade was in full swing it moved stead
lily on, there being but few delays
and these of no consequence.
detail Of mounted police led the way
and cleared the streets for a. Gathering
squadron of horsemen acting as escort
to General Gordon, who preceded by the
mammoth band OF the First Ohio infantry
from Cincinnati rode slowly along. his
form as erect, his head as high and his
hand on the bride as light and firm as
In his younger days. His right hand was
in almost ceaseless motion as he raised
his hat to acknowledge the cheers that
came to him fro mall sides. He rode
beautiful iron gray horse, while Adiu-
tant General Norman. who wa sat his
lfet hand. bestrode an animal as hand
some in form. Both generals are superb
horsemen and a handsome picture they
made
VIRGINIA HEADS THE LINE.
Behind General Gordon came carriages
containing the Southern mothers, Mrs.
Mary E. Cummings Mrs Emily f. Ball,
Mrs Eloise Wormsley, Miss Bette
Yancey Mrs. J. H. Humphreys, Mrs p f.
Edmonds and Mrs. Virginia L. Sneed In
the ranks the veterans of the army of
Northern Virginia were given the right
of line, and Virginia headed the line.
First among them came the Monticello
Guards, acting as guard Of escort for the
Sponsors, Department of Virginia, who