The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1901-04-10
The Great Memphis Reunion.

plenty OF money in Memphis next
month TO make the reunion of the
United Confederate Veterans one Of
the most complete and notable in the
history OF these gatherings, says the
Savannah Morning News. 1t is stat
ed that s75, ,O0G will be at the disposal
OF the Executive Committee.
| When the question of having the
reunion at Memphis was agitatcd, a
finance committee was appointed for
the purpose of raising necessary ex-
penses, and although only $25, 900 was
at the outset asked for, the merchants
and business men in general responded
by handing the gross sum of $50, 900
to Chairman Pickett Of the committee
and demanded that this reunion be
made the largest and most satisfactory
one ever held in the South. At a re-
cent meeting Chairman Pickett prem
ised an additional $25, 900, which will
place at the disposal of the executive
committee the sum Of $4,000. The
general executive committee, consist
ing OF the most representative men in
the district, rapidly appointed sub
committees and in meetings character
lied by growing enthusiasm extended
their plans to such an extent that now
the original expense fund has not only
been trebled but preparations are in
near completion to receive an estima-
ted influx Of visitors amounting to the
number of 100, 900. AS the last CEN
sus gave Memphis a population Of
1O2,320 this will double the number of
inhabitants during the week Of the re-
union.
Over 10000 old veterans will be ac-
commodated free Of cost. An enormous
commissary building will be erected
on the high bluffs overlooking the
Mississippi river, and the plans for
the additional erection of mammoth
state headquarters have been submit
ted. Handsome headquarters for tho
reunion committees have been located.
An enormous street flower parade, al
ways the most attractive feature of
any momcntous gathering, has been
arranged. 1t will be mile in length.
The location of tho city on the Mis-.
sissippi river Immediately suggested
the fact that naval battle could easi-
ly be arranged, and this will also be a
part Of the many amusement features.
The presence of the United States
warship Bancroft, which has been Or
dered to Memphis by Secretary of the
Navy Long, will lend substantial
interest to this part Of the entertain
ment, and with the additional provis-
ion for grand fireworks display there
will be magnificent opportunity to
enjoy these warlike spectacles from
the extensive levee and high bluffs
along the city front, which are easily
capable of accommodating over 100, 900
spectators.
The last day of the reunion will be
known as Forrest Day." and tho
exercises occurring on that date will
be dedicated 90 the memory of Ten
nessee's famous cavalry hero, Lieut.
Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest. Whole
regiments are in active preparations
to attend the reunion, and letters arc
now arriving hourly from dctatch-
ments Of veterans from all over the
South, telling of their plans to march
on this city in body and inquiring
after accommodations. The informa-
tion committee, four hundi ed strong,
has canvassed the entire city twice in
order to ascertain the number of rooms
and sleeping apartments that Can bo
obtained for the coming thousands,
and reports satisfactory progress.
Unlike other reunions, this one is
veiled in spirit Of romance especial.
ly apparent. For on the spot where
they fought and bled thousands are
coming together again, to meet on
familiar ground. Boat excursions will
be arranged to Fort Pickering and
Fort Pillow, SO that gray heads which
are nodding at each other now in eager
anticipation viii be enabled TO stand
on the historic spots side by side
where comrades of decade ago left to
journey far beyond them.
The woman's work will be seen at
every hand in tho reunion. The
Daughters of Hthe Confederacy hero
have located their headquarters.
,yb;ob ill .n.1