The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-11-13
xxA&&&&SSS SS S$ .

The largest gathering since the war of Alabamians having the proud distinction of serving in the army of the Confeder- acy, assembled yesterday at noon in the big Auditorium.
 The attendance of old soldiers upon the convention of Cohfederates to transact the business coming before the Alabama Division at its third annual reunion was larger than the most sanguine veteran had reason to hope. It was in size mo- table gathering and the annual reunions that are to come in future years must needs be well arranged if the crowd of yesterday is duplicated.
 Almost the entire lower floor or the vest Auditorium building was filled with gray and grizzled veterans of the Con- federacy. With every chair on the floor occupied, sitting in Q close compact mass the veterans made an imposing and im- pressive spectacle.
 It was estimated that moro than 2ooo soldiers of the Confederacy were in the hall at one time. And yet the auditorium held only a portion of the veterans who came to Montgomery.
 During the sessions of the conventions hundreds of old soldiers were about on the streets and at the different headquar- ters. One of the most heavily loaded trains which came to the city yesterday reached the depot after the exercises had begun
 5000 Veterans Here.
 conservative estimate of the veterans in Montgomery yesterday placed the TO- tai at nearly 30O0. The attendance on the first day of the reunion was most gratifying.
 The visitors who were not veterans IargeIv outnumbered the old soldiers, but to the Confederate veteran all honor and all attention was paid. The day was his and all that pertatned to 1t.
 Music for the day was furnished by the 1st Regiment band of Mobile. A band stand was erected on Court Square and throughout the day the Veterans were favored with old and popular selections. The band was stationed in the Auditorium during the two business sessions of the Convention and it accompanied the dele gates in the general singing which was led bv Lieutenant Colonel B. M. wash burn of Montgomery.
 Once the band struck up "Dixie" and the gathering of old soldiers went Wiid with joy They cheered again ard again and the air was filled with hats and handkerchiefs. The matchless war song appeals to and thrills the soldiers of the Confederacy gray as they are, as 1t did forty years ago.
 At General Headquarters.
 The general headquarters for Confeder- -te soldiers on South Court Street was in noint of interest next to the session at the Auditorium. At the headquarters the old soldiers registered and looked up their veteran comrades. Here an information bureau was established and all the ques- lions of the visiting Confederates were answered. The weary ones found at the headquarters a place to rest.
 The Convention of the Alabama Di- vision by exclamation again elected Gen George P. Harrison Commander-in-Ch!ef The election was most enthusiastically made. General Harrison's name was .cheered again and again and the gath ering could not restrain its enthusiasm until General Harrison appeared on the stage He was given an ovation as he went forward and in voice almost broken with emotion briefly conveyed his thanks for the honor which the Veter- ans had done him.
 Showed Love for Montgomery.
 The most notable feature of the Au- djtorium sessions v as the love manifested bv the old soldiers for the city of Mont eomery In the minds of the Veteran yearers of the gray the city Is closely identified with the memories of the Con- federacy The Alabama soldiers look up- m it as the home of the Confederacy u,iu all the tender associations that cling obout the name of home.
 Tn the days proceedings hardly a speak .r got upon his feet but paid a heartfelt and sincere tribute to the Cradle of the Confederacy.
 The most eloquent portion of the ad- dress of General Harrison were his touching allusions to the home of Holtz- oIow Clanton and Lomax and Mrs. So- nbie Bibb Every allusion to the city, its hospitality. it's heroic dead. its jeal- ons care of the name and fame of the Uoen who followed the Stars and Bars was applauded
 Montgomery was not presented as the ,,aat,np place for the next reunion. Birm- in9ham secured the honor after friendly