Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1908-06-18
THE OLD VETS.
TEN THOUSAND VETERANS
MARCH AT BIRMINGHAM.
Eight Companies of Citizen Soldiers
in Line-Sponsors Accompany the
Commands They Represent.

i'm Line-SpOnsors Accompany the
Commands They Represent.
A dispatch from Birmingham, Ala.
says the parade OF the heroes of the
Confederacy Thursday morning was
a fitting climax to what is generally
pronounced to be one of the most
successful reunions of the United
Confederate Veterans. With spright-
ly step, measured to the airs the
South loves. the old warriors, no less
than 10000 strong, traversed the
two miles of the parade route be-
interested spectators and there was
not an accident, not a sign OF tot
tering step.
| Loving hands served ice water to
the old men as they passed along
the route, fans were disturbed and
everything possible was done to re-
lieve the long tramp Of it's tedium.
That the heroes were in excellent
spirits was shown by the fact that
many of them sang old camp songs
as they marched, such as Butter
milk Cavalry, "Old Time Confeder-
ates." Bonnie Blue Flag
They were happy and they left a
trail Of tears among the spectators.
for every one was touched by the
sentimental appeal made by the ap-
pearance OF the old soldiers. There
were many in the parade who had
left a leg, or eihaps both legs, on
some battlefield, but they enjoyed
the occasion as much as the others,
being carried in vehicles. Their APP
pearance drew forth, If anything,
greater applause than the sight of
the foot soldiers.
The parade formed shortly after
II o'clock and required one hour and
45 minutes to pass given point.
The route was from Sixth avenue on
Nineteenth street to First avenue, to
Twenty-first street, to Fifth avenue,
to Twentieth street. to First avenue,
countermarching on Twentieth street
to Capitol park, where the reviewing
stand was located. In the vanguard
were eight companies of the local
National Guard, including one bat
terry of artillery and one troop Of
of cavalry in line. Gov. b. b. Com
er OF Alabama with his entire staff
was next in line. Gen. G. p. Har-
rison, commander Of the Alabama
division, was chief marshal. and Col.
e. ]. McCrossin of Birmingham was
chief aide.
Feature OF Parade.
The veterans Of the department of
the Tennessee headed the line OF vis-
itors of honor. these being followed
by the Trans-Mississippi and the
Army of Northern Virginia. Among
the more conspicuous companies were
the Forrest cavalry corps. mounted.
and the mounted troop from Nash
Vile which has attracted a great deal
of attention during the reunion. These
companies are regular members OF
the National Guard, being the only
Confederate body to have that distinc-
ton.
Memphis representatives also came
in for great applause. They were ac-
companied by the crack fife and
drum corps. which helped to give the
martial atmosphere. Probably no
one person in the parade attracted
more attention than the handsome
Miss Tommy Gentry, a fullblooded
Indian maiden who accompanied the
Indian Territory department as spon-
sor. Her escort was Adjt. Gen. Cole
MAJ.
Gen. Clement A. Evans. the new
Icommander-in-chie was at the head OF
the column with the entire star.
The Sons of Veterans followed the
veterans and they were accompanied
by their sponsors. A noticeable fea-
tme OF the parade was the fact that
number of the sponsors preferred
20 walk with the companies they rep
res ented rather than ride in the car
;iages which had been provided
Miss Mary Hall Gray. accompanied
the Georgia division on foot. Mrs
Kelly of New Orleans. a lady of 7e
years old. went through the march on
foot as did Miss Edna Raub of Mem
phis. who had the title of daughter OF
the company she represented.