The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-06-07
GENERAL WHEELER WAS
NOT, SLIGHTED OR SNUBBED
Mai Henry A. London Disposes of That Canard and
Gives Some Interesting Side-Ligfts of the
Confederate Reunion.

/ lished in pamphlet form and copy should
be in every Southern family II was care
fully prepared and IS a complete Vlndica'
ton of the Souths right to secede Ii IL
an argument simple, unanswerable ana
proves that secession was first promu'-
gated in New England.
ssThe grand feature Of this reunion, as
of all previous ones was the parade,
which exceeded any ever before had. We
/ have seen more veterans ia some OF Jhe
nrevious narades but there were also in
this parade many other organizations,
which made the procession about four
miles long. Certainly no previous parade
had been seen by so many spectators,
whose number seemed countless. We have
seen many large masses of people, but
never before have we ever seen so many
persons as we saw along the line of this
Parade. For about four miles the win
dows. balconies and steps of every build
ing were thronged with men, women aud
children, the side walks packed and the
streets were so crowded that the process
sion could scarcely get through. Every
body was cheering and applauding, and
there was wild enthusiasm along the en-.
tire line Of the parade.
"The North Carolinians marched near
the head of the column and attrcted much
attention, being headed by the Charlotte
drum corps of twenty-three young men
handsomely costumed and sDlendidly drill
ed. General arr was kept busy acknowl-
edging with graceful bows the cheers and
applause that greeted him and his tar
heels. Several of his staff were better
mounted than others, as some horses were
kindly loaned them by some of New Or.
leans courteous citizens
There were many pathetic as we'll as
amusing scenes and incidents along The
route of the parade Frequently among
the cheering crowd were to be seen elder
" ladies' who now with tear-dimmed eyes
cheered the old battle-scarred veterans
marching by just as over forty years ago
they cheered the young soldiers going off
to the war. The sight of those veterans
marching by, no doubt awakened in the
minds of those Mothers of the ConfeG-
eraey'' saddened recolections Of the stir
ring and suffering incidents of the war
Mothers held UP little children to see the
old soldiers march by, and it was a sight
they will never forget It was a grand
! ovation that was worthy of the survivors
of the lost Cause" and worthy of the
South's chief city. The parade of the vet
Grams was grand triumphal march and
applause that only the victors, and not
the vanquished, usually receive.
Among the distinguished Confederates
lat this reunion were three Lieutenant
Generals, and they were Stephen d. Lee,
A. P. Stewart and Joe Wheeler There
are only two others living, Longstreet and
Buckner.
Hon. John H. Reagan, of Texas. was
conspicuous by his presence. He is the
last survivor of the Confederate Cabinet.
and, although nearly ninety years old. is
remarkably well preserved in body and
mind
/ while the temperature was warm there
was always a pleasant breeze. The great
/ est discomfort was caused by the innum-
cradle mosquitoes
Most of the North Carolinians went TO
/ New Orleans in General Carr's special
/ train and pleasant journey they all had
| They stopped for an hour at Montgomery.
/ Alabama, and visited the first capitol cf
/ the Confederacy. They marched in a body
/ from the railroad station through the
main streets to the capitol and the pro
cession attracted much attention, the Ra-
/ leigh drum corps of veterans leading the
column and playing most lively tunes. 1t
may be truly said that the Tar Heel vet
Grams on this occasion captured Alabama s
capitol, for as soon as they reached it,
/ it was turned over to their inspection
! WNyere shown the exact spot on the front
/ porch (marked with bronze tablet which
+ President Davis stood and was sworn in,
and delivered his inaugural address as the
/ first president of the Southen Confed-
eracy. We were shown many interesting
war relics which cannot here be de-
! scribed."