The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1912-05-15
TRAMP OE HEROES
OLD SOLDIERS IN GRAY MARCH
Once AGAIN.
THRICE MADE Welcome
Camp John B. Gordon, the Tented
City in Which the Old Soldiers Are
Made Comfortable, Macon, Ga, is
Almost Filled With the Old Vet
Grams.

Grams.
Remnants Of the gray clothed ar
my, which half century :.go set the
world an example OF valor and self
sacrifice, and answered the roll cali at
Macon, Ca, Tuesday il q muster OF
peace-the annual reunion Of the IN
fted Confederate Veterans. Strange
TOO, these old soldiers OF the Lost
Cause were guests partly OF the flag
they fought long years. For they
occupied tents loaned by the United
States army.
Organizations Of the Sons and
Daughters, with several affiliated as
sociarions also met Fifty thousand
visitors were at Macon at the start
and more were arriving on dozens Of
special trains. Frequent showers
and threatening skies failed to allay
the enthusiasm OF the boys il gray
at the formal opening in Central City
Park, for the greeting at Camp John
3. Gordon, the tented city named in
honor Of Georgia's famous leader.
Underneath the surface of the Gle
bration there could be felt the touch
Of sadness at the thinning out Of the
already thin gray line" which IS
more pronounced at every reunion,
and the unfortunate railroad accident
in Mississippi, when several Of the
comrades from Texas were injured.
This sadness was more pronounced
among the spectators than among the
veterans themselves, however.
The city is thronged with veterans
and visitors. Special trains continu-
ed to arrive each hour on Tuesday
pouring into the city more veterans
and their relatives and friends.
Tuesday more than $4,000 people
from out Of town was in the city AID
Tuesday night the number was doubl-
cd. The convention was called 20
ored by General John ". Maddox, OF
Rome, Ga. This was followed by
prayer by Chaplin General Cave.
Several Confederate songs were
rendered By q picked choir and as
these old-time airs we're heard by the
veterans their eyes filed with tears,
as recollection Of years long since
past, no doubt surged through their
minds. Col walter 4. Harris. OF Ma
con: Miss Grace Lumpain, sponsor
forMacon, and Major John 7. Aoo7e,
welcomed the veterans and visitors,
Hon. Roland Ellis delivered the ad-
dress or welcome to the Sons OF Vet
erans-
Responses were made by Lielten-
ant General C. Irvine Walker. Com
mittee appointments followed, and
the convention adjourned until s o.
clock Tuesday night when the ~
oual Grafton was delivered by Col
onel Wallace Screws. OF Montgomery.
The various sponsors were also pre-
sented TO the convention.
Camp John B. Gordon, the tented
city, is flied with veterans. Despite
the continued rains the old soldiers
n the camps are well provided sor
Every tent is foo.ed, the streets OF
the camp are paved with cinders. and
the old veterans are as comfortable
as possible.
Owing TO the enormous crowds
here 20 automobiles or vehicles are
allowed in the camp aad certain OF
the principal streets Of the city are
rope6 O.. for the exclusive use Of ped
est-ians. TIE attendance Of Sons Of
Veterans is the largest ever known ct
e reunion.
March Of the Old Heroes.
The fast fading gray legion Of the
Lost Cause marched through three
miles Of people Thursday in Macon
and as the remnant Of the army Ct
the Coafederacy wound It's slow way
through the cheering lines Of human
tty, drawn 10000 strong from eV-
cry quarter Of Dixie TO do them hon
or, the tears OF countless women, the
treble yell OF children and the HUSKY
shouts OF emot.olally moved men
gave g strong background to the
sound, CT the famous Rebel yell,
ss occasional companies gave 1t and
sen. away Johnny Reb' caQerins
in the ranks il sheer joy Of the rem
noisance OF the martial spirit that
held Grant and his great armies G.
It was one Of the greatest parades
that the Confederacy has ever
known. Fully 1000 veterans we're
in lire marching by States through
broad and shaded streets OF Macon,
al. drawing an equal tribute Of hon
or and reverence from the posterity
OF az. no matter whether it was the
half hundred survivors OF the grim