Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1903-05-21
CONFEDERATES MEET
THIRTEENTH ANNUAL REUNION
OPENS IN NEW ORLEANS.

OPENS IN NEW ORLEANS.
Commandments of the organiza-
tion Quite Ill-Governor Heard
Praises valor of the Soldiers of the
South.
New Orleans, May 2O-The thir-
teenth annual reunion OF the United
Confederate Veterans was opened in
the great auditorium at the fair
grounds. There were thousands Of
veteran soldiers, hundreds of beautiful
women and above and around on every
hand profusion of futtering flags
AID waving streamers. There was
martial music without end and enthu-
siasm unbounded. Over the beauty
and success of the day there was but
single shadow, and that promises to
disappear soon. This was the illness
of General Gordon, the commander-in-
chief of the organization. He was not
well when he left his hotel for the
auditorium and has not been in his
usual health for several days. Moth
ing but his grim fighting spirit carried
him through the day without something
akin to collapse. His condition is in
no manner serious, but it is possible
that he may not be able to preside at
all the sessions at the auditorium be-
tween now and Friday noon.
When the hour for opening the
convention arrived the platform was
crowded with fair women and men
whose names are household words
throughout the south. General Cor
dons entrance into the hall was an
ovation Cheer after cheer rang
through the building as he came rapid
" down the aisle, leaning on the arm
of Adjutant General Miokle. He was
surrounded instantly by a group of
friends as ae reached the rostrum
and fer tisae was unable to reach his
chair. No 7oner was he seated than
fair young woman. Miss Tarleton of
Waco, approached ant, bending down,
kissed the general. He sprang quickly
to his feet 20 acknowledge the honor
with repeated bows.
General J. B. Levert, commander Of
the Louisiana division Of the Confed-
crate Veterans, called the assembly to
order and introduced the chaplain.
Rev. j. w. William Jones, Who deliv.
cred an eloquent invocation. Then
came speeches of welcome to the vet
Grams. After a few opening words of
welcome, Governor Heard said:
veterans, the outcome of the strug-
gle that you carried on for four long
years againS; the most powerful forces
and arpameuss that the world has yet
seen in no manner or sense can OBJ
scure the giosy and fame that you won
for Dixie's land. 1t is not extravagant
to say that the 100000 Confederates
confronted j coalition of America,
Europe and africa"
At the conclusion of his address.
General Gc-aon led to the front of the
platform Mrs. Stonewall Jackson, ans
said: 1T vas my fortune, and l vii,
never ceass TO thank God that it was
my fortune, to follow, to know Wei,
and to love Stonewall Jackson. He
is not here, but the best half of him
is here in the person of his wife.
Comrades, present to you Mrs. Stone
wall Jackson"
In the Wild cheers that swept the
hall, the fair faced lady from Virginia
was made 10 know once more how
| southern lose remembers.
John n npapan tho colo eur,,j,,;n, :.
member of the Davis cabinet, then
spoke from one portion of the rostrum.
After the speech the mobbing of Gen
eral Gordon was resumed with re-
doubled energy. One old soldier, In
toxicated ~ his enthusiasm, and a
few inciden.als, sank on his knees be-
fore the general and would have
Rugged him mad not the bystanders in.
| terfered