The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1903-04-03

GENERAL JOHN Is. GOhDON'
diers to rekindle their campfires and
renew their memories of the battlefield
and bivouac. AS New Orleans is now
in many respects the most important
city in the new south, so it was at the
opening of the war the chief city of the
Southern Cenfederacy, and, though 1t
early fell into the hands of the federal
government, its heart beat warmly for
the southern cause. 1t witnessed its
homes depleted of thousands and thou
sands of brave men who left their fam
lilies and their belongings to take up
arms in a cause for which they were
ready to sacrifice everything most dear.
Thousands went, thousands remained
away, and the ones who returned to
take up the burdens they had dropped
at the first call and who have survived
the vicissitudes of fortune and of fate
during the long interim stand ready to
welcome to their homes and affections
their old time comrades in arms. 1t is
the determination of the old soldiers of
the Crescent City to make this the
most enjoyable and successful reunion
the survivors of the army of the Con-
federacy ever held, and in this they
will be supported and assisted by the
people of the city of New Orleans, all
of whom will anxiously count the days
until they can number the entire host
of old Confederate veterans as their
loved and honored guests.
The material side of the reception to
the United Confederate Veterans is rap
idly assuming a definite and tangible
form. The city has pledged fund OF
100000, which will be expended in
providing adequate entertainment both
of body and Of mind during the several
DAYS of the convention.
Colonel J. A. Harral aid-de-camp on
the staff of General John B. Gordon
and chairman of the press committee,
a committee composed of the newspa'
per men of the city, announces that the
entire situation has been carefully con-
sidered and that the local forces are
moving quietly, yet rapidly, in an ag'
gregate effort to the end that nothing
may be found wanting when the dawn
of the reunion heralds the arrival OF
the old gray clad heroes. From ColoneI
Harral it is learned that the railroads
centering in New Orleans are making
every arrangement necessary for the
handling of the members OF the 1,oVO
camps which comprise the entire or
ganization of the veterans and that ex-
ceptionally low rates of transportation
will be offered.
The committee on accommodation mas
arranged for a system of room hse'
ing" which in addition to the accom-
mediation provided by the hotels VIII
enable the visitors to be taken care OF
| without the annoying waits so ire
ouent on occasions of the kind under
consideration. Arrangements have been
made through the kindness of the
United States government othclals Ior
a large number of army tents winch
will he pitched within the inclosure OF
the fair grounds, one of the finest loca'
tions in the city, we'll drained and pro
vidad with conveniences which VIII
make the canvas city" one of the most
desirable features of the reunion.
An auditorium will be erected on the
] fair GROUNDS Oh Su1uNlCht SIN ~
mediate the estimated number OF NeIer-
ans where the sessions of the assocla-
ton will be held.
Elaborate plans have been mace TOT
the entertainment of the veterans anu
in addition to competitive drills ana
military parades in which numoer oi
companies from other states VIII par
ticipate a grand ball will be given uur-
ing the convention.
II is expected that large number Oh
representatives from the newspapers
will no present during the reunion.
The great enthusiasm of the people
of New orleans in regard to this COM
ing reunion makes it beyond peradVen-
tnre that the occasion will be most de-
liobtful from all points of view ana
the municipal authorities, acting as
unit with the citizens generally, VIII
nave the way for a series of pleasant
recoIlections and fix the claims OF New
orleans and its people upon the gooa
graces and loyal sentiment OF the Oiu
boys in gray. ooDu