The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-10-22
THE LINE OF GRAY.

There was little cheering as the long line
of Confederate veterans marched into the
Fair Grounds shortly after / O'Clock yes
terday. for the emotions were too deep for
expression to be given to them IN the
cheers that greet the soldiers on holl-
day occasion. 1t was sight never to be
forgotten. The fair marshals. young men
who had relatives in the Confederate Ar
my, marched at the head on foot, having
volunteered to do so and to proffer the
loan of their horses to the mounted vet
Grams Tt was graceful and gracious
thing to have done. The contrast between
these younger men and the, veterans OF
1861 '65 was marked Not a gray hair
in the fifty marshals, all in the prime OF
a vigorous young manhood. Among the
long line of veterans, there was not one
whose head was not whitened. telling of
the flight of years. The young men were
the same sort of men and did not look
unlike the veterans when they marched to
the tune of Dixie in 1861.
The camp scene was a reminder OF the
sterner days. Camp fires were klndled
here and there about which comrades were
gathered. swapping stories. as when they
were younger. The delightful weather
made this outdoor life pleasant and added
to the happiness of camp life Many boys
and young men caught their first glimpse
of camp life by visit to the Cameron
field yesterday, and understood better
than ever why the men who fought under
Lee for four years are entitled to the CRATE
full appreciation of the State.
There were many tears in the joyful
eyes that looked upon the long line of
marching veterans-tears of happiness that
so many of them still live to bless and
honor the State and brighten many homes;
tears in the eyes of good women who sor-
rowed because the scene recalled the death
of their own honored fathers; and tears
OF joy as men and women recognized inl
the procession these dear to them There
was no man or woman, as they looked into
the faces of the silent marchers who had
faced the hell of lannon's roar without
flinching, who did not uncover in the pres
ence of men Of such heroic deeds. Disease
and toll and sorrow have left their mark
upon many a furrowed cheek and fore
head. but nothing can ever take away
their beauty to those who see beneath the
lines OF csIre and the gray hair the death
less deeds of the bravest army in the
annals of war.
1t was a scene that boys, too young yet
to appreciate the story of Confederate
valor, will yet live to tell with pleasant
recolleetions to their children who will
not look upon marching regiment of
Confederate soldiers, for they are rapidly
passing away, and all too soon these occa-
sions will lose the presence of the men
whose heroic deeds will be told in song,
in story, and around the hearthstones as
long as men and women admire bravery
and courage. and glory in the manhood of
men who were as courageous and as full
of zeal in the trying days of reeonstruc-
ton as in the fiery ordeal of war.
The most interesting incident, of the
parade occurred at its close when the
veterans were drawn up IN double column
in the centre of the field IN front of the
grand stand, and Generals NJ. w. Ransom,
YIN. r. Cox and w. P Roberts, elegantly
mounted on prancing steeds, rode witt,
uncovered heads down the line. In front
of them marched the brass band and drum
Germs of the A. and NJ. College, dressed
in their uniforms of Confederate gray and
nlaying Dixie This created the widest
enthusiasm among the veterans who
raised the old Confederate yell and
cbeered most Justify. 1t was indeed
most inspiring scene, and we may say,
almost pathetic to see and hear the wild
enthusiasm OF those old soldiers as they