The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-06-17
Mrs. John B. Gordon Given a
Great Ovation BY Gray
Haired Heroes
EVERY STATE IN THE SOUTH
REPRESENTED IN PARADE
Thousands Cheer the Gallant surviv-
ors as They March Through the
Crowded Streets of
Nashville.

Nashville, June 16-As a fitting climax
to the reunion of the United Confederate
veterans, Nashville and her thousands Oh
guests today gave the old veterans as
they proudly marched through the dense-
ly crowded streets an ovation which Will
live long in the memory of its recipients,
as well as those who paid the honor.
The rapidly dwindling host was easily
apparent to many who saw the process
sion, but those In line who are left but
drew the closer and warmer to the spirit
of the sixties. The day was warm, but
the old men marched unfiinchingly, al
though the step at times faltered. There
was much confusion caused by poor po-
licing along the route, but the start was
made at the hour set and the last vete-
ran passed the reviewing stand two hours
later The Seventh cavalry band, u 5.
A. led the parade, and this organization,
as well as the many other bands in the
long line played only four pieces, but
gave them over and over" Maryland, My
Maryland" My Old Kentucky Home
1.-THE Girl / Left Behind Me" and
Dixie the last named never falling to
bring forth vociferous chorus Of rebel
yells. United States mail carriers at
ice water to the thirsty veterans.
Represented Every Southern State.
The parade was representative not only
of every southern state, but many
canmps located in the far west, one in
Montana and another in Ohio having
delegates IN line. The fourth division,
composed principally of camps from Ten
nessee, Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi,
carried away the honors for the greatest
number of men in line Troop A, Forrest
cavalry of Nashville made an especially
tine appearance. The Virginians were an
Imposing body of men and were given
many cheer. The Fourth brigade,
North Carolina, headed by camp from
Asheville, bearing hornet nests In the
branches of trees and headed by drum
corps of veterans, which now musters
but four members, was one of the fea-
lures of the parade
The r. e, Lee camp of Fort Worth,
Tex, had at it's head their celebrated
color bearer, Thurston of Mount Vernon.
who stands seven feet five inches. This
camp was followed by large crowd the
entire route of the parade. Alabama's
yellow hammers were heartily ap-
piauded Many of the camp representa-
tions were notably small but the pride
with which they held aloft their tattered
battehags made up for the deficiency in
numbers. One Louisiana camp carried a
flag so frayed with bullets and torn that
1t was held together by net
In the reviewing stand on Spruce street
was distinguished company. including
Mrs. John B. Gordon, the widow of the
former commander-in-chief, and her
daughters, Col. Philip Fall of Houston,
Tex, a member of Gen. Lees staff, Mrs.
John C. Brown and Bishop and Mrs.
Fitzgerald of Tennessee.
Mrs. Gordon Given Ovation.
Mrs. Gordon stood at the front of the
reviewing stand, and drawn up opposite
her across the street was General Lee
and his staff. The old veteransf cheered
their leader to the echo as they passed.
and many rushed out of line to grasp his
hand. Then they turned and saluted the
widow of John B. Gordon. Mrs. Gordon
was deeply moved al the manifestation
of affection and her eyes were dimmed
with tears Her emotion was quite percep-
tible as the Georgia division bore past
the reviewing stand the flag of the Con-
federacy that had been made from the
= ribbons that bedecked the grave of her
beloved husband.
Another affecting incident was the well
come and salute of the old StoneHall
jackson brigade as it passed. The griz-
zed warriors bearing the tattered and
nattle-scarred flag they had carried
out Of line and with one accord saluted
Mrs. Gordon and General Lee.
The sponsors came IN for full share
If the almost continuous applause and
cheering to which they responded with
the waving of flags. parasols and boquets
The veterans held a brief session at the
tabernacle this evening to complete their
business Of the reunion. Gen. George p.
Harrison of Opelka. Ala, introduced a
resolution at the instance of the Alaba ma
Daughters of the Confederacy asking the
Vetreans to appoint committee to con-
fer with the Daughters upon the mat
ter Of revising and undermining the words
of the souths most famous song Dixie
prolonged discussion followed. General
CabeH of Texas opposed the appoint
n1ent of the committee or any action
which would put the veterans in the at
titude of suggesting change of words {:
Opposed to Changing Words.
..That song furnished us inspiration
through four long years of fighting" said
the general. "it has furnished inspira-
ton ever since. and l don't think that
we standing with one foot in the grave.
should permit any change on those words.
.'The next thing we know" concluded
the general. some Yankee will call down
here and want to change CabePs name :"
The con, ention voted to finally appoint
the committee as courtesy to the
-Dauehters of the Confederacy, but the
veterans are firmly opposed to any
change.
The reading of greetings from the Wis
consin G. A. X. veterans now in annual
encampment at Madison. occasioned pro-
longed cheering A suitable acknowledge
rnent and greeting was ordered sent by
General Lee.
Gen. William Jones of Richmond. in ex-
plain1ng The progress of the movement to
erect !, monument to Jefferson Davis in
virginia's capital. said he hoped to invite
The veterans to meet there in 1906. when
they would see the monument and hcld
their convention In the auditorium OF the
Battle Abbey.
A resolution to abandon the parades Of
future reunions owing to the increasing
irfirmities OF the veterans. which was in
troduced by member Of an Arkansas
camp. was unanimously voted down, and
-.xt- 49, falIinx Of fha comma a ndz in.