Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-05-07
STARS AND BARS FLY
OVER MACON CAMPS
OF SOUTH'S HEROES
Flag of Southern Confederacy
Is Raised BY Soldiers Who
Wore the Gray AS Thou
sands Cheer
By LITTToE K. STARR.
Cstaf Correspondent.D

Especial Dispatch to The Journal.)
MACON. Ga, May s-As high as
Macon's tallest building. flag of the
southern confederacy. said to be the
largest in existence, floats today in the
center Of the John B. Gordon camp,
where enough tents have been stretch
ed to accommodate $4,000 veterans.
The raising of this flag yesterday
afternoon at $50 o'clock marked the
formal opening of the John B. Cor
don camp in Central City park, and
the beginning of the 22nd annual re-
union of the United Confederate Vet
Grams and auxiliary associations.
Although the reunion proper does
not start until tomorrow, fully 5000
people gathered at the Central City
park yesterday afternoon to- witness
the simple Sunday afternoon ceremo-
MES.
Throughout the morning the city had
been sprinkled by intermittent show
ers. but shortly after noon the clouds
drifted away and there were only
slight showers during the after
noon.
The flag was raised into position at
the direction of Col Walter A Har-
ris, general chairman of the reunion,
while grizzled warriors and beardless
militiamen stood at attention and
military band played a patriotic air.
Only a mere handful of veterans was
present. the main bodyguard OF the
reunion not having arrived until THE
morning. Some were officers and 9TH
ers privates, but there was no distinc-
ton Of rank while the colors under
which they had fought were being
raised-an were patriots of common
cause.
FLAG is RAISED.
The band stopped playing for a mo-
ment. and at a signal from Colonel
Harris four soldiers advanced to the
flag staff The cords that held the
flag became entangled in the pulleys
of the flag STAFF, a soldier released his
hold to straighten them and the cor
ners of the flag grazed the damp
grass.
Instantly the veterans who stood at
attention nearby broke ranks and
sprang forward and half a dozen men
in gray tenderly held the flag high
off the ground while the ropes were
being arranged
The ranks formed again. Just enough
rain fell to moisten the hair Of the
soldiers. but not head was covered
while the standard was being raised.
The shower stopped as quickly as It
had begun, and when the banner
reached the top Of the pole the sun
]
1t may have been because II was
tho Sabbath, or perhaps it was that
brought up too many memories OF
those who were gone beyond recall
and made the occasion almost sacred.
For while the flag was being raised
not a cheer was heard. The bare
headed veterans stood silently. with
out smilign, and the crowd was mo-
tionless for moment after the flag
was unfurled.
The flag is mounted on pole SIS
feet high. 1t measures 80 feet in
length and 20 in width and was made
especially for the reunion.
EVERY STATE REPRESENTED.
All morning hundreds of veterans
have been coming to Macon on every
train. They. represent every state in
the south. The general HEADQUARTERS
for the reunion are I'm the Young
Mems Christian association building.
where Gen. C. Irvine Walker, COM
mander-in-chief. his staff; Gen. Ben-
nett II. Young and staff. and other
officers are quartered.
Although every Macon hotel IL
crowded 10 overlooking, adequate ar
arrangements have been made to cars
for all visitors. cores Of privata
families have opened their homes, and
Macon is making many thousands feel
at home.
Twelve tnouSan1 veterans VIII Do
CHARTERED in the tented city at the Cen
trail City park. This city of canvass
is laid out in streets that are named
after the various Confederate generals
Arrangements have been made for fur
nfshing meals near the encampment.
The majority of the meetings Will be
hel din the auditorium at the Central
City park. The sons of Veterans win
meet at the city auditorium; the Con-
al A
ton at the chamber of commerce build
ing; the Confederate Naval Veterans in
the council chamber; Forests cavalry
in the superior court room and the
27th Georgia regiment in the city court
room.
SONS ARE MEETING.
The first encampment of the United
Sons of Confederate Veterans ever held
was formally opened this morning
within less than 100 yards OF the John
B. Gordon camp. The Veterans Sons
have 80 government tents each or
which will hold eight men. Commander
William G. Pritchard is in charge. The
Macon camp of Veterans sons has over
LOO members and is commanded by
J. NJ, Dunwoody. Frank B. West Is
chairman Of the camp. In addition e
the Macon contingent there are between
700 and 500 sons present.
The routine of reunion meetings win
begin at o'clock tonight when the
United Sons of Confederate Veterans
viii meet in the Camp John B. Gordon
auditorium.
The meeting will be called to ORDER
by j.. NJ DHnwoedy. commander o.
Camp Thomas KIardeman. and an inxo-
cation viii be delivered by Rev. James
NJ owens. Of Norfolk Va, chaplain
general Of the Z. z. c. V.
Among those who will speak are;
Bryan b. DAMS of Macon; Charles Q.
Harper. commander Georgia divisions;
a. l. CASTOR. Of Chester. S. c.; John i.
Moulton, department commander rn1y
Of Tennessee; Within G. PIitchard. OF
Charleston, S. c., command sr-in-chief;
Mrs. Daisy McLaurin Stevens. of Bran
don. Miss; Hon. Robert Edward Lees
Jr., of Virginia; John W. Rodge. Of
Jacksonville, Fla; Judge A. r. Hefiin,
of Hinton, West Va; and Miss MatttIe
Shelby, Of Macon.
Tuesday will be devoted by the Sons
to the transaction of business and the
election of officers. On Wednesday
they unite with the veterans and On
Thursday they take part in the greaK
parade.
The veterans Will organize Tuesday
morning. 1t is understood that Gov.