The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-25

during the last two days, nearly all trains being made up in from two to four sections
 Cruiser Columbia On Hand.
 The United States government. too, is a partaker of the festivities, the cruiser Columbia having been sent by the navy department especially to take part in the reunion as the direct representative of the nation. The good people of New Or leans hatter themselves hugely on the appearance Of the Columb'n. They claim 1t Is the first time that real ship of war has been sent to participate In a Confederate reunion If is admitted that several years ago the Scorpion was sent to Memphis when the reunion was held in that city but then, lt Is claimed by the Crescent City the Scorpion Is not much of a ship and it is a far cry from such g splendid four-funnelled affair as the Columbia down to a boat which has only one smokestaek, and Is not much larger than pleasure yacht at best, and so New orleans claims the only original ship of war present at a reunion of Com federate veterans
 Source of Much Entertainment
 Meanwhile the Columbia rests at anchor in the Mississippi a never ending couree of entertainment and pleasure to the peo- pie at large and the veterans in partlc- ular. who visit the boat in multitudes.
 Commander Bowyer. the commander of the cruiser. has said that the men of the Columbia will march in the great
 e tt,, I4l. sire.
 The commander was the guest of honor tonight at a dinner given by number of prominent business men of the city. A majority of the subordinate officers of the Columbia were also present.
 Three years ago when the veterans were the guests of New Orleans, the meetings were held in an auditorium erected in the incosure of the race track al the Fair Grounds. This was, In measure. neon- convenient because of It's distance from the business center, but this year that has been definitely avoided by the erec- ton of d huge temporary building at the corner of St. Louis and Royal streets In the very heart of the city Much money has been expended in it's preparation and adornment and tonight when the final touch was put to the extensive decora- tions It was declared by those who have been present at all the reunions Of recent years to be one of the finest and most beautiful structures In which the re- unions have ever been held.
 The old S,. Louis hotel empty now for some years which stands directly across the street has been refurnshed and thou sands of cots have been placed within it for the accommodation of the veterans.
 Called to Order This Morning.
 The reunion will be called to order to- morrow at 10 o'clock by General Albert Estopinal ommander-in-chief of the Louisiana division of the Confederate vet erans, who will deliver the opening ad- dress. He will be followed by Governor Blanchard. who will extend welcome in behalf of the state, while Mayor Behr- man will speak for the city of New Or leans. Charles Payne Fenner will make A short address the representative of fhe Sons of Confederate Veterans. J. E. Sinnot first vice-president of the citizens executive committee will welcome the Sons of Veterans. and will present the hall to General s. b. Lee. commander-in- chief of the United Confederate Veterans. who will accept it. and then deliver his formal address as presiding officer of the reunion
 The feature of the afternoon will be the oration by Judge James B. Can't of Jefferson City, Mo, who IS the major general commanding the Missouri divis- ion of the Confederate veterans.
 Thte various organizations affiliated with the United Confederate Veterans have opened headquarters. and will commence their work tomorrow
 The United Daughters of the Confeder- aey are at the Layeton house on St. Charles street. the Confederate Southern Memorial association has opened head- quarters in the Progressive Union hall on Camp street while the Sons Of Veter- ans are located at the st. Charles ho- tel
 Among the prominent members of inc United Confederate Veterans who have already arrived for the convention are General C. Irvine Walker, commander of the Northern Virginia department; Gen eral George Gordon of Memphis. com 'mander of the Tennessee division. Genel>i Clement A. Evans of Atlanta, General W. l.. Caheil 1Ed General Fireil C. Cooke, . ..f.- fTs all