The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-06-17

Nashville, Tenn, jun 13.-Nash-
willie is crowded tonight with visitors,
veterans and delegates to the four
teenth annual reunion of the United
Confederate Veterans, which opens
officially tomorrow. All day long and
far into the night, rains were arriv-
ing at frequent intervals from all
parts of the South, bringing the old
warriors, their friends, families and
sponsors. each eager to fill his part
in the reunion. which has since 1890
been a source of much pleasure.
There are delegations present from
Missouri and as far north as Mon
tana- The Pat Cleburn division of
the Texas veterans, with headquar-
tiers ~ Waco. arrived during the af-
ternoon, but the five other today's
special trains were less fortunate.
they having been delayed by a wash
out near Pine Bluff, their destination
not being reached until late tonight.
The Battle Abbey committee met
tonight at the Baptist Publication
House. The important matter AIKEN
up for consideration was the report
of the committee OF the Abbey. This
will be submitted to the convention
tomorrow for it's action. The report
of the committee shows that the
treasurer has in hand nearly S1O6, 900
in cash. In addition thereto, there Is
the gift of the city of Richmond, $50
600; subscriptions collectible. $4,000:
balance due from Charles Broadway
Rouss, $4,000. This latter amot&t Is
nj 49, a.
tai money available for the erection
of the Abbey $2O6. 600. The committee
is trying to raise $500, 600, but the
work can begin any time now with
the money in hand. The exact date
for the inauguration of the work.
however. has not been decided. The
suit against J. W.. Underwood. the re-
port say has not been settled, but
is in the hands of competent counsel,
who are bringing the matter to a sat
iSfactOry conclusion. The difference
between Mr.. Underwood and the Alb
hey trustees arises as to n amount
due the Abbey committee from the
amount collected by Mr.. Underwood
Mr.. Underwood resigned as chairman
two years ago and was succeeded by
DR.. j William Jones, of Richmond.
The committee states that more
funds will be raised as soon as posi-
BILE to establish a complete library of
ALISEICd1, ana eSlpRSIdlIE SOUTHERN,
history. which will become a part of
the Abbey. Numerous portraits and
statues of Southern soldiers, which
have been presented from time to
time by southern women, will find a
resting place in the Abbey. DR.. Jones,
superintendent of the Abbey, will
make trips through the south as soon
rs the dates al be arranged, to raise
money to fill the amount required for
the historic structure. He requests
all camps of veterans, of sons n
daughters, and memorial associations
to make donations, both large n
small. to aid the Abbey fund.
The historical committee. of which
n scholarly General Clement Evans,
of Georgia, is chairman, will submit
a epOrt to the camp tomorrow, set
ting forth the congratulations of the
committee to the south on the re-
forms made in the histories in which
the south is now much more fairly
treated by authors han formerly.
This has been accomplished. the re-
port says, only by persistent efforts
on the part of the people of the
south This committee also will re-
port or the battle flag matter. which
has agitated the veterans for sever
al years. The committee is of the
opinion that the battle flag is square
with cross lines from corner to cor
ner. The contention of many has
been that the flag was oblong, instead
OF u a
The report of the committee on
treatment of prisoners during the
war, also made by the historic COM
mittee. will be presented. 1t shows
that in all instances humane treat
ment was given Federal prisoners. A
large amount of data on this subject
has been collected, and il is probable
that the committee will continue its
Investigations another yea when a
final report will be made.
General Stephen D. Lee, comman-
der-in-chicf of the veterans, today
received d letter from Genera Joseph
Wheeler, who is now at Sandy Hook.
n. J., expressing his regret at not
being able to attend the Nashville
reunion. General Wheeler said he had
hoped to lend his voice I'm an effort
to urge special exertion by the veter-
ans in hunting up war rosters and
records to be printed as permanent
archives.
The general says further:
The record of the Confederate
soldier for superb chivalry is without
a parallel. and in years to come fu-
ture generations will value beyond
price this evidence that an ancestor
was one Of the knightly heroes who
fought in the great battles Of 1861
and 1865.
"After years of effort, the law was
enacted which secured the printing
and presentation OF these becor1.
and the work can only be completed
by the cooperation and efforts Of