The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-06
CONFEDERATE ARMY MARCHES ON MACON But Without Roar of Can non or Crack of Muskets EXPECT BIG CROWDS Largest Confederate Flag Ever Made Unfurled With Appropriate Ex-
 ercises at Camp John
 E. Gordon
EXPECT BIG CROWDS

Macon, Ga. May 5.-The Confederate army is marching on Macon. For the second time in the history of this city there is to be an invasion. During the eos it was with cannon rearing. mus kets cracking. drums beating and flags flying. Tomorrow the invasion will be none the less determined but the roar of cannon and the crack of musketry will be missing.
 The soldiers are coming this time for their annual reunion, many of them tc mlngle for the last time with each other and recount their experiences in the terrible struggle in which the north was pitted against the south.
 Expect Record Crowds
 Indications are that the crowds will be the largest that ever have attended a Confederate reunion. Reduced rates throughout the southeastern territory went into effect today and in all but a few of the western states, tickets being sold in the latter seven days ago. Many special trains from Texas. Oklahoma Missouri and Arkansas have been or the way since Saturday morning. The first special trains will arrive tomor- row. though several cars filled with q delegation from Kansas City arrived last night.
 Tho streets and buildings in the busi- ness center of the city are elaborately decorated, the colors of the Confectionery and the national stars and stripes float Ing in the breeze, side by side.
 This afternoon the largest confeder- ate flag ever made was unfurled with appropriate exercises at Camp John B. Gordon. where 15,000 heroes of the late war will be encamped during the re- union. The flag raising was in charge of the military companies of the Sec ond Georgia regiment Thousands of Macon people mingled with the visitors ss lln aax e alrpaas srg;ivsd. f'reeedipg tie unfurlins public reception Wal held in honor of James C. Williams. | 72 year old veteran, who walked from Dallas, Tex, to Macon. making the trip in Go walking days.
 Extensive Preparations
 Macon has made extensive preparations for caring for the visitors The veterans will be housed at Camp John B. Gordon, where 1900 large army storage tents fur nished free by the United States govern ment, have been pitched and three meals day will be furnished free to the old soldiers. The commissary department has arranged to feed 2000 at q sitting. Almost every home in the city has been thrown open for the reception of visitors, and whole buildings have been filled with beds and cots. over 100 temporary eating houses have been provided and there will be no danger of anyone going hungry.
 The reunion of the veterans opens Tues day morning and all sessions of the con- vention will be held in an auditorium, lo- cated within 200 yards of Camp Gordon.
 The convention of the United Sons of Confederate Veterans and of the Confed- erated Southern Memorial association will open Monday evening.
 One of the first persons of note to reach Macon was Gen. Bennett H. Young of Louisville. commander of the army of Tennessee, this morning. He paid visit to Camp Gordon and pronounced it the best that ever has been pitched at a Con- federate reunion.
 An army of crooks already is said to have arrived in the city The authorities have provided extra policemen and two companies of the National Guard will also do police duty. Twenty of the best detec- tivos in the country have been engaged to keep lookout for criminals.