The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-04-25
Exit from Dallas Has Begun
and Trains Are Packed
With Old Soldiers
MANY REMAIN FOR The
FINAL SOUNDING OF TAPS
Buffalo Barbecue Is Another Great
Attraction Which Holds Many
Visitors In the Texas City.
Sons Elect Stone.

Dallas, April 24-with one of the great
est parades ever held at a Confederate
reunion Dallas tonight bid goodbye to
thousands of her visitors. AS fast as
they could be handled every railroad en-
tering the city tonight is sending out
trains laden with fatigued but satisfied
veterans and their friends and the ordin-
ary visitor who was drawn here by
curiosity.
The exodus, however, seems to make
little difference in the size of the crowds
in the streets and the population of
Camp Albert Sydney Johnston at the
fair grounds. The percentage of veter-
ans leaving today was comparatively
small. For the most part they desire to
remain till taps have been sounded in the
camp, and they wish to partake of the
barbecue of five buffalo which is to be
a feature of the programme at the camp
tomorrow.
Beauty and ChivaIry.
Tonight the beauty and chivairy of the
south represent ed here gathered at Camp
Johnston, where the grand Kaliph's ball
was held. By o'clock the vicinity of the
grounds was jammed with carriages and
the Auditorium was filled with gay
throng. Occasionally, in the whirling
mass going through the dance. doing his
best among the younger people, veteran
could be seen dancing with some laugh
ing sponsor or maid of honor. But the
veterans generally stayed in the seats
TN. [-If~ k1e+ ~
their costumes gave the scene at times
a bizarre cast and afforded considerable
amusement. The grand march was led
by the Kaliph and his queen, whom later
in the evening he crowned with elaborate
ceremony.
A reception to General Gordon at Epis-
copal College was the social feature of
the day. Here the sturdy commander-in-
chief, bearing his 70 years like a man
of 4o did his best to receive all who
came, but only succeeded in part
Grand Parade.
With blood stirring to the same old airs
which bade them do and die for their
cause two score years ago, the veteran
remnant of the Confederate army march
ed through the streets of Dallas today,
the object of wildly cheering throngs
enthusiasm.
Today was holiday in Dallas. Public
buildings and stores generally being clos
ed during the hours when the parade was
passing. Thousands of visitors, coming
for the sole purpose of seeing the old
soldiers, were added to the multitude
already on the streets. By tonight 1t is
expected that the movement out of town
will have commenced.
That the weight of years was on most
of them was apparent in furrowed cheeks
and snowy hair, in halting steps and
rounded shoulders but that the old pride
of achievement and duty well done re-
mained, was also to be seen in the dogged
persistence in which they followed their
old flags and threw off their years to the
strains of Dixie.
Many Had to Drop Out.
Many veteran who in other days ex-
hibited hrtlisnce of execution which
added so much to the success of strate-
gems of Confederate leaders, was COM
PEELED to drop out of line before the
march was over. Many from the decrepi-
tude due to advancing age or wounds re-
ceived in battle, were unable to report,
but they found places along the way and
waved their hats and screeched the IA
nous rebel yell to show that they were
with the marchers in spirit If not in
actuality.
The line of march, covering the down
town district, was packed mass of hu-
manity. The crowd was by far the larg-
asst the city has ever entertained. Win
dows were bright with the faces of
women and girls with waving handker-
chiefs and flags. The sidewalks were al
most impossible by reason OF the conges-
tion. Small boys perched on telegraph
noIes and lamp poles-in fact, every inch
~ snace was utilized. The decorations.
bv reason of the clear weather, were as
bright as they were the first day.
Couldn't Handle Crowds.
All the available police were kept busy
.r,,,re 70 keep the crowds off the streets,
h,,t with Ill success. The throng was
go foo large to admit of control by any
ordinery force. The spectators were,
however, for the most part, orderly. al
thoueh many were forced into the street
by the pressure behind on the side
walks.
THE start was made at Main ana Aus
.,a street. Major General Vanzandt.
aarshal of the day, and staff, preceded
~, mounted police to clear the way, led
~ narade Following him came General
Cordon and staff. The erect, slender fig
re tbe alert eyes and the gray pointed
heard of the commander-in-chief We're
Tha ,ocation of his gray horse. occord-
tne to one observer, could almost be told
hv tbe increase in the volume of cheers
progressing like wave along with him.
Acknowledged Plaudits.
THE general started to acknowledge the
n,audits by taking off his hat, but soon
left II off entirely. bowling incessantly
10 right and left. Next came distinguish
ed guests. and then, the veterans. The
latter were arranged according to depart
ments as follows:
Virginia. Tennessee, Forrest Cavalry
Corps; Dallas Artillery, Trans Mississippi.
missouri Arkansas. Indian Territory,
Oklahoma Territory, Pacific Division and
Texas.
Behind the old soldiers came the MEM
hers of the Sons of the Confederate vet
Grams. They were proud to follow their
sires. as was stated by a speaker they
have done-.'to show courage, fortitude
sad devotion to duty when the hour