Milford chronicle., 1903-05-22
CONFEDERATES MEET
Thirteenth Annual Reunion in Ses-
sion at New Orleans.
GENERAL JOHN 2. GORDON ILL
Commander-in-chief Presided at Open
ing Session. and only His Fighting
Spirit Prevented a collapss-Wild
Cheers Greeted His Appearance.
-tsVt -


New Orleans, May 2O.-The 18th an
nual reunion of the United Confederate
Veterans was opened in the great audi
torium at the fair grounds. Thousands
of veteran soldiers, hundreds Of beau
tiful women and on every hand pro-
fusion Of fiuttering flags and waving
streamers were in evidence. There was
martial music without limit and en-
thusiasm unbOunded. over the beauty
and success of the day there was but a
single shadow, and that promises to
disappear shortly. This was the i'll
ness Of General J. B. Gordon, COM
mander-in-chief of the organization
He was not well when he left his ho-
tel for the auditorium, and had not
been in his usual health for several
days. Nothing but his grim fighting
spirit carried him through the day
without something akin to a collapse.
He was not able to attend the after
noon session at the auditorium, and
remained quietly in his room at the
hotel receiving no visitors. His con-
dition is in no manner serious, but It
is possible that he may not be able to
preside at all the sessions.
When the hour for opening the con-
vention arrived the platform was
crowded with women and men whose
names are household words throughout
the south. General Gordon's entrance
into the hall was an ovation. Cheer
after cheer rang through the building
as he came rapidly down the aisle
leaning on the arm Of Adjutant Gen
eral Mickle. He was surrounded in
stantly by a group of friends as he
reached his chair. No sooner was he
seated than a fair young woman Miss
Tarleton, of Waco. Tex, approached.
and, bending down, kissed the general. /
He sprang quickly to his feet to ac-
knowledge the honor with repeated
bows
General J. B. Levert, commander Of
the Louisiana division of the Confed- !
crate Veterans, called the assembly tc
order and introduced the chaplain, the .
Rev. William Jones, who delivered an /
eloquent invocation. Then, in success
sion, came speeches of welcome to the .
veterans from Hon. Paul Capdevielle .
mayor OF New Orleans; Logs Char
bonnet who spoke Tor the local orgali-
zation of the Sons Of Veterans: Mrs.
Wi!lism J. Behan. representing the
Confederate Southern Memorial Asso-
citation, and Governor W. W. Herd.
who spoke for the people of the state
Of Louisiana.
General Gordon then delivered his
and at its conclusion he led
to the front of the platform Mrs.
Stonewall Jackson and said: 1T was
my fortune. and l will never cease to
thank God that it was my fortune. to
follow, to know well and to love Stone
wall Jackson. He is not here. but the
best half Of him is here in the person
Of his wife. Comrades, I present to
you Mrs. Stonewall Jackson"
In the wild cheers that swept the
hall, the fair-faced lady from Virginia
was made to know once more how
southern love remembers.
And here's young Jackson" called
)ut the general, leading forward e very
pretty girl. Miss Julia Jackson Chris
ian, the granddaughter OF the famous
ioldier. AS he spoke he kissed her. and
he cheers were redoubled for the gem
,ral and the girl