Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-10-30
CONFEDERATE VETERANS.

6SteIudy, Iue StCOuu udg vi ihO O"h-
federate reunion, brought, probably, a
thousand more veterans and several
thousand visitors to Newport News.
Inspector General Morton's report
shows 80 camps represented at the re-
union. During the past year there were
l7S deaths and 1887 additions to the
Virginia organizations.
The most interesting feature of the
days session was the report of the his
tory committee, presented by Judge
George L. Christian, of Richmond.
Most of its space was devoted to the reftl-
tation of claims made in behalf Of
North Carolina in certain controversies
between veterans of the two States. The
report shows from official records that
the claim made by North Carolina that
she furnished more troops to the Con-
federacy than any other southern State
is not true. but that Virginia furnished
So, 600 more than North Carolina; that
the claims that Virginia had larger
number of men exempted than any other
State is also a mistake; that, while the
o'total exempts" in Virginia amounted
to 25,063, those in North Carolina
numbered SS, l66, and that North Car
DINA had ten times as many Estate
officers" exempted on certificates of
her governor as any other southern
State that the suggestion that one of
the effects of the fighting of the First
North Carolina at Bethel was the possible
holding of Virginia in the Confederacy
was a reflection on Virginia and with
out any foundation whatever. Virginia
was represented by commanding gen.
eral and three branches of the service,
while North Carolina was represented
only by one.
The report discusses the claim of North
Carolina that she was farthest to the
front at Gettysburg in the great charge
of July 8, 1868, from the official reports,
both Federal and Confederate, and
shows from these reports that this claim
is not sustained by the record. 1t quotes
from the reports of Gems. Lee, Long
street, and Lane Coils. Lawrence,
Shepherd, and,others of the Confederates,
and Gems. Hancock, Webb, and Hunt,
of the federals, all of which show that
the only troops which penetrated the
enemy's lines were Pickett's Virginians
and some of Archer's Brigade, the latter
composed wholly Of Tennesseeans and
Alabamians.
Yesterday afternoon there was a grand
parade, in which several thousand per-
sons, including veterans, Sons of Vete-
rams, and local organizations, partici-
pated. The parade was witnessed by
25, 900 people, who lined the sidewalks
along the route and cheered the march
ing veterans sons, sponsors, military
and firemen. There we're 1000 men in
line. The fire departments of Newport
News, Hampton and Phoebus were out
in force.
The Sons of Veterans yesterday elect
ed the following officers: Commander,
Col. w. w. Sale, of Norfolk; comman-
der First Brigade, A. Aylett Ashby,
Newport News; commander Second Bn-
gade, E. Lee Trinkle, Wythville; d.
vision commander, E. Leslie Spence.
Yesterday evening at the Casino the
Newport News and Hampton veterans
gave a reception in honor of the visiting
veterans, sons, daughters and sponsors.
The reunion will come to close to-
night with ball by the Sons of Vete-
rams.
Last night Senator John W. Daniel
delivered an eloquent address before the
grand camp.