The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-05-02
TAR HEELS At DALLAS.
Maj. London's Review of the
Confederate Reunion.
North Carolina Headquarters More Attractive
Than Other States. Former Tar Heels
Glad to See Old Comrades.

men who followed Lee ami ieaulhs
spirit in the United Confederate Veter-
ans Association, was in Raleigh ycster-
day. Speaking of the reunion of the Con-
federate Veterans at Dallas. he said it
was one of the most delightful occasions
in the life of all who wore the gray
whose good fortune it was to be present.
In his paper, this weeks Chatham Re-
cord, London gives the most interesting
account of the Reunion yet printed. 1t
is as follows
''The twelfth annual Reunion of the
United Confederate Veterans was held
last week at Dallas. Texas, and 1t was
an occasion that will never be forgotten
by any who were so fortunate as to at
tend. The only objection TO 1t, or rather
the only thing to mar its pleasures, was
that too many persons were present
the crowd was zoo great for comfort
But it was good natured and orderly
crowd and all seemed bent OH having
good time and enjoying it to the utmost.
1.-THE number of visitors in attendance
was estimated at nearly 10000, but real
ly there was no way of accurately esti-
mating the number Wherever anyone
went he thought everybody else went,
for go wherever you would you would
find mass of humanity. In every part
of the city could be seen greater crowds
than are seen on any TUESDAY of court
week at any county court house. OF
course all these people We're not veter-
ans, for the low rate given by the rail-
roads could not be confined to veterans
only. Hence many thousands of persons
from other States took advantage of the
low rates and went to visit their friends
and relatives in Texas.
Thus it was reunion not only of old
army comrades, but of long separated
friends and relatives. Brothers ard Sis
tiers and other near relatives met there
for the first time in many wears, Old
schoolmateS met after Il long separation
and renewed their childhood days. Some
of these meetings We're quite pathetic.
For instance, we saw the meeting be-
tween brother and sister-each nearly
seventy years old-who had not met in
twenty years. They We're born in Moore
county, but when children had moved
with their parents to Alabama-travel-
ling in wagons for five weeks-and after
the war the brother had moved from
Alabama to Texas. Another affecting
meeting was that between two brothers
both old gray bearded men-who lad
not met in many years. They
Rugged and kissed each other repeated
ly, and with tears streaming down their
rugged checks sobbed for joy.
"Mcst of the veterans were encamped,
in army style, in tents that had been
provided for the occasion. This camp
was at the State Fair Grounds. about
two miles from the centre of the city,
and was very appropriately ramed Camp
Albert Sidney Johnston, whose untimely
death at Shiloh changed victory into de-
feat. The camp was laid OF in regular
tween the tents allotted to the different
States, and thus the veterans from each
State were together. Every State lad
it's headquarters tent, where a registry
was kept and the names written therein
of every veteran from that State who
was present. In this way old comrades
could find one another. Another way of
finding anybody was quite amusing.
veteran would mount box or barrel at
the headquarters tent aud in loud
voice inquire if anybody FROM such and
such a company or regiment was pres
ent or he would inquire if such and
such a comrade was present and if an
affirmative answer was given the two
old comrades would rush to greet each
other. On each tent WAS placed the lame
or number of the regimen- to which its
occupants had belonsatl, and thus long
separated comrades in arms could more
easily meet.
1.-The tent for the North Carolina
headquarters was crowded all the time
with visitors inquiring for old friends,
and all were made to feel at home.
Gen. J. S. Carr. with his thoughtfulness
and public spirit, had made our head
quarters more attractive than those of
any other State. In front and on each
side of our tent were suspended aloft
white cloth. banners on which were
painted in large red letters appropriate
sentences, extending a warm welcome to
everybody at the Tar Heel headquarters
1t was this writer's privilege to have
charge Of the North Carolina head
quarters as chief of staff to General
Carr, and it was a great pleasure to
bring together long separated comrades
WDO CdIUt there LOT one
another. Nearly 500 veterans registered
at our headquarters, who had belonged
to North Carolina regiments and after
the war had moved to Texas. Few of
them had visited their old homes since
their removal, and this was their first
opportunity to meet some of their old
comrades, and of course these reunions
were greatly enjoyed.
''As is usual at all reunions the parade
was the most attractive feature, and for
q wonder it was not dispersed by a rain
storm as has so frequently happened.
The weather was most favorable and
consequently the parade was enjoyed
more than heretofore. The North Car
DINA veterans occupied prominent part
in the parade and were Justify Cheered
all along the route. Several of the Char
lotte veterans carried large hornets
nests which attracted much attention.
And just here we would state that Char
lotte sent the largest and finest looking
delegation that went from this State.
Conspicuous was the old tattered battle
flag of the 4Sth North Carolina regi-
ment, which was proudly carried by one