The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-04-29
MAKE The WELKlN RING WITH
THE OLD-TIME YELL.
VETERANS ANNUAL PARADE
Grandest Held i'm the History of
the Reunfons-The North Carolina
orne With the Tattered Fla
airy Given n Place of Honor-Many
Old Confederate Flags in the
Parade-Veterans in Gray with
Muskets on Shoulder i'm Line-The
Ovation to Gordon.

Dallas, Texas, April 24.-With their
blood stirring to the same old airs
which bade them do and die for their
cause two score years ago, the veterans
remnant Of the confederate army rem
resented at the Dallas reunion march,
ed through h streets OF the city today.
the object Of wildly cheering throngs.
The day was a holiday in the city.
all public buildings being closed be-
tween the hours when the parade was
passing. Thousands of visitors coming
for he sole purpose of seeing the old
soldiers, were added to the multitude
already on the streets.
That the weight Of years WIS on most
OF them, was apparent in furrowed
cheeks and snowy hair, in hating steps
and shoulders; but that the old
pride of achievement and duty well
done remained was also to be seen in
the logged persistence with which they
ollowed the old flag and threw off their
years to the strains of Dixie Many
a veteran, who, in other days. exhibited
a brllliance Of execution which added
nuch TO the success of the ctrategems
OF confederate leaders was compelled to
drop out of line before the march was
over. Many from the ~decrepitude due
TO advancing age of wounds received in
battle were unable TO report, but they
found places along the way and waved
their hats and Screeched the famous
rebel yell to show that they were with
the marchers in spirit if not in activity.
Inc n OF march, covering the down
town district. was a packed mass Of
humanity. The crowd was by far the
largest the city has cver entertained.
Windows were bright with the faces of
women and girls with waving hand
kerchiefs and flags, n the side walks
were almost impossible by reason of the
congestion. The decorations by reason
of the splendid weather of late were as
bright as on the first day.
All the available police were kept
busy trying to keep the crowd off the
streets, but with ill success. The
throng was far too large to admit of
control by any ordinary force. The
spectators were for the most part or
derby and many We're forced into the
street by pressure behind them On the
side walk.
The start was made at Main and
Austin streets at IL o'colck. Major
General Van Zandt, marshal OF the
day. and staff, preceded by mounted po-
lice to clear the way, led the parade.
Following him came General Gordon
and staff. The erect, slender figure
the alert eyes, the gray pointed beard
of the commander-ir-chief were well
we'll known to most of the spectators
The location of the gray horse which
he bestrode could almost be told by the
increase in the volume of cheers pro-
crossing like a wave. The general
4 cforfn1 70 nnlyp au-la1na tho rln,,1;fo nv
taking off his hat. but soon left it of
entirely, bowling necessarily to right
and left.
The North Carolina Hornets.
Near the head of the line came tn,
famous North Carolina Hornets will
hornets nests pinned to their breast
or hanging from poles. In this division
was the old flag of The Third Nortl
Carolina cavalry. The old emblem wa
in sherds. but was carried with all tn
more pride for Its wounds.
Georgia, Texas, Tennessee, Kentucky
In fact every southern state was rep
resented in the parade, proudly hoistin,
flags now faded and torn. Many ha'
to be held together with nets, but the,
were proudly ave nevertheless in an
swer to plaudits of the crowd.
The Arkansas delegation carried
banner inscribed:
we are from Kansas, NOW lduSH
darn you"
The sponsors and maids Of honor o
Forests cavalry rode With the veteran
on horses and were rcundly cheered a
along the route.
Even greater was the cheering for tn
Tennessee maidens who walked side b
side with the old soldiers whom the
had come to honor. The Tennesseean
made a fine appearance as their dres
--~- IF anfn6nrnfo ora
and they wore army caps and for tn
most part carried muskets with bay
onets fixed. A country delegation fror
this state having no muskets, carrie
canes on top of which they placed the
hats.
The Louisiana sponsors were mounte
and rode behind the tattered flag of tn
Fourteenth Louisiana.
Behind the old soldiers came tn
members Of the sons of Confederat
Veterans. They were proud to follo'
their sires, as was stated by a speake
at their meeting yesterday:
I'VE could do no better than to do a
they lave done-to show courage, fort
tude and devotion when the hou
comes"
1t was estimated that 1900 men wer
in line. about 5000 being veterans.
General Gordon had great trouble
getting back to his hotel. AT every or
p~ortunity the crowds eager to SHAH
his hand, corralled him and every mo
ment he stopped the crush aoout MI
increased. At the hotel a crowd {
ponsors and maids of honor capture
him and as many as could therew the
arms about him. Adjutant Gener:
Mormon rescued his chief by mai
force and actually dragged him into tn
hotel.
TT was as fine a parade as 1 eve
IA Enr
don. ana General Moormon echoed tn
l expression.
< There was no business session OF tn
: association. a recess having been take
j until Friday when the reunion comes
/ an end.
Good for rheumatism
, --o- %oEnn u-ith q Yer