Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1901-06-06

marched through the streets OF the
city. with Gen. John 3. Gordon. Gen
Fitzhugh Lee and Gen. Joe Wheeler
at their head.
The procession was the xrandest
and greatest one that ever took place
in Memphis. or in the entire South.
for that matter. II was composed OF
an army OF heroes. The blood that
flowed through the veins OF its march
ers was the blood that was 50 freely
spilled az Kings Mountain. at Cow
pens. at New Orleans and az Chepulte-
pee The sires OF the men Who kept
step 20 the drumheafs yesterday we're
the men vho have marched in ;he van
Of All the armies that have been mar
shaliet in freedoms cause
The f5.eee nen vho took part in
the great pzrasi> yesterday rspresersef
practically all that Is left tn the resh
q ths arnaeS % defssse that we're
tnr1-a s<.ia-s tn lexfoax that the
Nerth I'D -~rrairs.s frssa ~ rasi,,.
- - -aath- ts - al rkaf 1s1srvtveS
q to hasts tsaf -laae Naras-sl-.
4 fasekazsaa<z SALSA. Misxicnarv
- . - - Wills uae~e sioo.fy
77eia~ n wns th- fr-x-
ua~- = th~ arwlss tkas gave the
sert aas rs-~s<rfsr rs s1hlims<s IN
sEf-1 isa az.s G~scsiaa 70 r-tnrfple
IL as k=rw isssxH e tAAx shar
zzs1s - great fAru6stnx hart % fh@
usuif ifa.-e fhat Ear~s "a ths p4rna@
v~sf rtay s~af IN sgzrashy wfth th~
=ar n~rs- Il was thts th2f czuss-i the
tear 20 euu.~ u the sye zzd the eA~~r
frusf tAe tAraas
N~sarhas were th- psopi- - earhusess-
Tes Shoi~ posulafien of the city
tr.rnevf cat az1 thts uas au<-Ir@-te.i
~ the t1oassnas upon thousands %
visitors Who are h~r~ from all parts
q the ccuntrr- The parade. which
took two and ous half hours to pass a
Eivsn point. marched through solid
walls OF human beings. Who cheeress
themselves hcarSe in Efforts 70 shout
acclaim to the veterans II was really
awesorie to thase isolated from the
marrhsrs and the crowds to hear the
constant roar Of the lee e9s blended
human voices as they rose and fell
like the waves of the ocean
The crowd was lavish with its ap-
plause- IL gave Gems. GorSion. FItx-
hugh Lee and Joe Wheeler regular
ovations and then cheered each army
division each camp. each biyouac. the
States. the sponsors and even indivi-
dusls whose characteristics would
make them noticeable. as they passed.
The crowds were there to do honor
to all that Is palpable OF the Coufed-
eracy. when the hattle-scarred flags
were borne past hats were lifted and
the crowds gazed on them reverently
and with barred heads
The parade was the most pathetic
spectacle that was ever presented in
Memphis. The weight OF forty years
rests upon the shoulders Of the boys
who wore the gray from the first
Manassas TO Appomattox Courthouse.
II has bowed and enfeebIed the bodies
that were once as straight and as Wig
orous as the hickory saplings. Its win
terS have frosted the heads of the
old soldiers and Il was apparent to all
who saw the parade yesterday that on
ly short time will eIapse before such
an event will be a physical impossi-
bility
However. the men who were in
line were splendid specimens of Amer
lean manhood in its old age. They
walked with a yigOr and with a car
riage that shows that the IRE still
burns strong within them.
As the veterans marched and coun-
termarched through the Court OF
Honor a sight was presented that will
live forever in the memories of all
who saw it The long line OF march
ing soldiers. afoot and mounted. the
music of bands and trumpet corps. the
vehicles containing the beautiful spQQ-
sors. their maids OF honor and chap
eTons tie standards of the States, the
divisions. corps. brigades and compan-
les. the tattered battle flags and the
yOciseTOus multitude made up a
tableau the like of which had never
before been seen in the South.
Then there were amusing scenes al
also. scenes TO bring the smile in the
path of the tear. One Of the Nashville
uniformed companies had n number OF
ex-slaves and negro veterans march
ing in its rear. The two that came
last were as black as the ace Of spades.
but their old faces were shining with
pride. One carried a saber and his
stride was that of a stage hero. The
other had fat pullet thrown over his
shoulder and looked as though he had
just returned from a foraging trip
that had caused some cae's chicken
roost 20 suffer
The bands that headed the various
divisions were of more than usual
excellence. OF course. they played the
airs that are dear to the hearts of
SoutheTneFs and every time that the
soul-stirring tune OF Dixie" was play
ed cheers would go up that threatened
to rend the heavens The old soldiers
seemed to be reiuveaated every time
the grand old melody was played. for
their feet would move in time to its
roilicking. joyous notes
The martial music OF the trumpet
corps was greatly enjoyed. The Sons
of Veterans trumpet corps of this
city covered itself with glory. IL was
one OF the best drilled organizations in
line. and its music was faultless. The
Atlanta fire depar ment drum corps
one of the very best organizations in
the South. made a great hit The natty
uniforms Of the members and the old
time helmets lent a bit Of color to the
parade that was very agreeable to the
eye
The Charleston. s C.. trumpet corps
was another splendid organization Its
uniform was very rich and gave the
band highly picturesque appearance
Gems Joe wheeler an Fitzhugh Lee
rode side by side. and were given an
ovation The rotund and jOyialfaced
Virginia eavalrymal. and the little
wiry wizened Alabamian were one Of
the features of the parade.
Both led their troops in brave
charges in the civil war. and endeared
themselves to their eountrymen. and
both again became calamity eOnspicu-
Gus in the public eye in the Spanish
American trouble. The freshness of
their valor in the recent war lent a
special interest TO their presence. and
their reception was not second to
even Chief Gordon him
self
Next to Gems Gordon. Lee and
Wheeler a place of honor had been re-
served Tor the Southern Mothers" the