The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1902-04-25

GENERAL j. d. GORDON.
Commander-in-Chief of United Con-
federate Veterans.
upon In words of eloquence and in
voices now ringing over some martial
deed, now soft with tear-laden memo
ries Of comrades fallen.
The crush of visitors was the larg-
est in the history of Dallas. It was
estimated in the morning that $4,000
visitors were in the city, while infor.
nation from the railroads was that by
night this number would be swelled to
125,000 at least.
Vast City Of Tents.
While thousands Of visitors did not
leave the business section of the city,
Camp Johnson, miles distant, was
crowded to the limit. Delegation af-
ter delegation from the four corners of
the country reported and were assign
ed to their divisions in the vast city
OF tents. The great mess shed, seating
10000, was opened at 10 o'clock. An
army of cooks and walters worked like
beavers, while the veterans, with a
hunger born of a night in the open,
dld their best In an able manner to
Keep the cooks busy. Tea, coffee and
milk by the barrel; beans, meat. hard.
tack and accessories by the wagon
load disappeared in marvellous fash.
ion THE boys is eatin' as if they'd
been separated from the wagon train
Tor about three days." is the way one
Louisianan put it.
nnnUanfinr, ~
Grams, many of them comparing the
Dounteous plenty Of their breakfast
with the starvation they we're often
called upon to endure during the war.
were In high good humor. The build
Ing, seating 5000 people, was filled to
the topmost row soon after the con-
Vention was called to order by Gen.
eral X. M. Vanzandt, president of the
IeXas Reunion association. From nil
lar and post hung bunting and flags
and pictures OF old confederate chief.
tains. Electric lights In profusion
gave a perfect light and added mate.
rally to the ornamentation of the lin
terror. The crowds were composed
not alone Of veterans, but of their
sons and wives and daughters. Maids
or honor and sponsors, some, notably
those from Louisiana, in brass but.
tons and confederate gray, but the ma.
Jor1ty in cool white lent an air of or.
namentation to the scene. No applause
was more enthusiastic than theirs and
no sympathy more apparent. as thew
were familiar with the heroic. suffer.
,hes OF the old men they had come to
honor.
Governor sayers Welcomes Visitors.
Following the opening of the meet.
ing by General Vanzandt the Rev. J.
Wiliiam Jones, chaplain general. de-
hVered touching invocation. Govern
or Joseph ID. Sayres, on behalf of the
state or Texas, then welcomed the Wis
ltors to the state. Governor Savres
said in part:
loday this mighty gathering after
30 many years, from every part of the |
southland, attests with convincing am
phasis the enduring affection for them
a. among tne living. OF our dead 1t may |
In all truth be said.
HOW sleep the brave who sink to rest
py ali thelr country's wishes blestI
Wheh spring, with dewy fingers cold
neturhs TO deck their hallowed mould
She there shall dress a sweeter sod
1han fancy's feet have ever trod.
ny 1airy hands their knell is rung.
10y 10y forms unseen their 1lrge lie sung:
mere honor comes a pilgrim gray
10 Diess the turf that wraps their
clay;
Mnd freedom shall awhile repair
40 aweii a weeping hermit there; |