The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-06-12
Fitting Close to Great Eighteenth Re
 union. MANY OLD SOLDIERS
 LEAVE FOR THEIR HOMES Inspiring Scenes on Last Day in
 Birmingham. FuIly 100000 Persons View Immense Paseast in whiek Sstiehai Guard, eevernor ana His stan
 Take Para.

nttIng climax to the greatest reunion that was ever held by the United Con federate Veterans was the gerat parade given today.
 The parade started shortly after II o'clock and 1t continued by given point for more than two hours. There were more than 100000 people scat tered through the city and son the line of march, while several thousand pe- pie participated in the parade.
 The Veterans, who took part or wit messed the parade. assert that 1t was by far the grandest pageant ever given at a Confederate reunion
 General Clement A. Evans, who was yesterday elected Commander of the United Confederate Veterans, rode in a conspicuous position in the parade as did Governor Conner and Lieutenant Governor Gray, together with the staff of the Governor in full uniform.
 General Evans, General CaDeli, Gen aral Gordon and General Walker. with the Governor, Lieutenant Governor and stan and others reached the reviewing stand early after the parade started and reviewed the big parade.
 ConsIderate men and boys provided buckets and barrels of ice water along the line and gave the Veterans who marched, cooling drinks. There were but few people to drop in the line, three being reported, and but two of these needed any medical attention. Seven anbuiances were in the parade, while half dozen stretchers were carried to be prepared for an emergency.
 The crowds which watched the pro- cessfcn cheered the Veterans and others aH they passed in review and the gray haired warriors acknowledged the com plinient by lowing their heads
 Closing Entertainmenf.
 During the afternoon the Veterans were entertained at the Fair Grounds with drill contests and tonight there was "a fireworks display at the same place. s.rs "a
 The reunion ball was given tonight at the Hippodrome, beginning at o'clock, when the Southern Cross Drill Corps gave anexhibition drill Two of the dances tonight were for the Veter- ans exclusively. An overflow ball was given at the Country Club, where the sponsors and maids of honor were en- lerta!ned.
 7 rsaieft the city this afternoon and tonight and others are leaving on the outgoing trains.
 General cabell and the delegation that came here with him from Texas left on a Special train over the Queen md Crescent route tonight.
 One of the distinct features of tlfe parade was the presence of the pretty sponsors and maids. They rode in neat vehicles, the automobiles being prohibited in this paarde.
 The Parade.
 The weather was ideal and the pa- sade moved promptly at II o'clock. Near the head rode Governor Conner and, Lieutenant-Governo Cray. The new Commander-in Chief. General Clement A. Evans and his stan, head ed the Veterans mounted column and hA was given an ovation all along the line of march.
 There were many features in con- uection with the parade, which start ed from the corner of Sixth Avenue and Nineteenth Street. While nearly every company of the Confectionery was represented by some battle-scarred Veteran. few of the companies were intact, the places in the line of march being designated by the various camps to which they belong at the present time. Bullet-riddled flags and memen- toes were wave din the air however, and brought home to the old soldiers in a living way the days of old and reminded the younger generation of the possibilities of life
 Although the great majority of Vet erans rode their steeds like they did in the days when they followed Lee, Jackson, Johnston, Forrest and all the rest of the great leaders, those on foot also showed remarkable energy and they stepped to the tune of the music just like they did when the or ders were given in the memorable days to charge upon the opposing troops.
 While the veterans occupied the con spicuous part in the parade the es- cort column and the sons made splendid showing. There were pretty sponsors from every State to lend beauty to the occasion and the parade in its entirety was pronounced one of the most successful ever gotten up in honor of the men of the gray.
 The parade was participated in by all the Confederate Veteran organiza- tions. Sons of veterans, united Daugh- ters of the Confederacy, local and Vis- iting military companies, Governor Conner and his stan. Mayor Ward and many of the aldermen, the chief of po- lice, sponsors from the various brig ades and camps and others
 McCrossln as Marshal.
 When the pageant moved from the corner of Sixth Avenue and Nineteenth Street 1t was headed by Marshal E. J. McCrossin. to whose skill much of the success of the parade is due. He rode a fiery horse and presented com aides assisting him in clearing the streets and seeing that everything moved off in good shape.
 At the head of the column. after Marshal Mccrossin. rode George H. Bodeker, Chief of Police. and a num- Der of officers on horseback. Then came a cordon of police on foot It was the original intention to have the police on horseback, but the scarcity of horses prevented this It was said that the committee on horses lacked two hundred nearly every available horse in Birmingham being in use.
 The executive committee of the Con federate reunion came next, riding in a carriage This is the committee that worked out the plans of the eighteenth reunion and made 1t one of the most successful in the history of the South.
 Governor Conner and Lieutenant-Gov- ernor Henry B. Gray rode horse back, and both were kept busy lifting their hats to the cheering multitude. Gen. Louis V. Clark and his stan foiIowsd