The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1904-05-19
THE R-IN-CHIEF IN THE
SOUTH

II.
The visit of Gen. John c. Black. Com
mander-in- Chief of the Grand Army of
the Republic to the Department Encamp
ment of Alabama was an occasion of I'M
usual interest and profit to all concerned.
Accompanied by his wife and by Col.
Chas HI. Mcconnell, Chief of Staff, aud
Gen. l.. G.. Estes, Aid. he went direct to
Montgomery. Ala, taking pains to arrive
there on the anniversary of the day 80
years ago on which he entered the city at
the head of brigade marching up from
the surrender of Fort Blakely and Mobile.
He was given a most distinguished recep
ton. Gen. Harrison, the Commander of
the Alabama Division of the Confederate
Veterans Association. coming from his
home at Opelika to represent his Order in
the greeting extended to the head of the
Grand Army of the Republic. The acting
Governor of the State, and very many
distinguished citizens also extended
welcome to the party. and there was a re-
ception held in the COmmander-in-C Chiefs
honor which was attended by the beauty
and fashion of the Alabama Capital,
young and old. including a great number
of Confederate soldiers. Gen. Harrison in
his welcome alluded to the two Flags
which but few years ago confronted each
other in battle, and in his reply Gen.
Black spoke in his usual earnest, eloquent
way of the present condition Of affairs,
and the true meaning of Unity. Fraternity
and Charity now rapidly developing, and
said among other things:
When l speak of our Flag l cannot
but remember that in the early days of
its great career, a Southern soldier raised
it above the ramparts of Fort Moultrie.
and fastened it there amid the shot and
shell of battle to wave until the end came
in victory. | cannot forget that while our
armies under Scott and Ripley were car
rying our Flag nOrthward and beyond the
Canadian line. Southern soldier, Jack
son. was raising it above the glorious field
of New Orleans. ] cannot forget that at
later period Northern and Southern sol
diers side by side carried our Flag in
triumph across our border and exhibited
it upon the nights of victory in the South
west | cannot forget that now. after
long years have separated us from the
days of fraternal strife, the sons Of men
North and South have united in its sup
port among the islands Of the seas: and l
cannot forget that the sweetest epic that
ever was sung to banner was sung to
the Star-Spangled Flag of the Republic
by a Southern poet"
From Montgomery Gen. Black went to
Birmingham. where he was entertaine
in the handsomest way by the two Posts
of the Grand Army at Birmingham, and
by prominent citizens, with a public re-
ception i'm the evening. Thence, the party
returned to Atlanta, where the Com
mander Chief and wife were given a
grand reception at the Kimball House.
Past Junior Vice COmmander-in-Ch Chief J.
Il. Averill was appointed Chairman of a
committee on which were placed many Of
the leading men of the city. The officers
Of the Regular Army at Fort Mcpherson
were prominent among the attendants.
Gen. Black made happy speeches at va
rious times. He took a ride to the spot
where Mcpherson was killed, and to the
grave of Gen. Gordon, upon which Mrs.
Black placed some flowers as her tribute
to the man who had done so much to re-
store harmony between the warning Sec
tons. The newspapers in all the cities
were very complimentary to Gen. Blacks
eloquence. personal appearance, and engag-
ing manners. and his party seem to have
made the happiest impression everywhere,
and done much to build up the Grand Army
in the estimation of the people of the
South.