The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-05-07
THE VETERANS MARCH
TO MACON REUNION
,ONFEDERATES FOR SECOND TINE
MOVE ON GEORGIA CITY.
Old Soldiers Will Camp at Camp John
B. Gordon-COnfederate Flag
is Flying.

Macon, Ca, May 5.-The Confeder-
ate army is marching on Macon. For
the second time during the history Of
this typical Southern city there is to
be an invasion. During the sixties it
was with cannon roaring, muskets
cracking, drums beating and flags
flying. Tomorrow the invasion will be
none the less determined but the
roar of cannon and the crack Of mus
kerry will be missing. The soldiers
are this time coming on mission OF
peace, to mingle with each other and
recount the incidents of the terrible
struggle.
A Great Crowd.
Tonight the indications are that the
crowd will be the largest that has
ever attended a Confederate reunion.
Railroad passenger agents variousy
estimate the number from 100000 to
10000. Reduced rates throughout
the southeastern territory went into
effect today in all but a few OF the
Western States, tickets being sold in
the latter several days ago and many
special trains from Texas, Oklahoma,
Missouri and Arkansas have been on
the way since Saturday morning. The
first special trains will arrive Monday
morning, though several cars filed
with a delegation from Kansas City
arrived tonight.
The city is fast filing up with Vlsi-
tors. Ideal weather now prevails
though for the past few days there
have been heavy rains. The streets
and buildings in the business centre
of the city are elaborately decorated,
the colors of the Con- deracy and the
national Stars and Stripes floating in
the breeze side by side.
Big Confederate Flag.
This afternoon the largest Confed-
crate flag ever. made was unfurled
with appropriate exercises at Camp
John B. Gordon, where $4,000 heroes
of the late war will ba encamped dur
ing the reunion. The flag raising was
in charge of the military companies
of the Second Georgia regiment.
Thousands of Macon people mingled
with the visitors who have already ar
rived. Preceding the flag raising a
public reception was held in honor OF
James C. Williams, a 72-year-old vet
eran who walked all the way from
IDallas. Texas, to Macon to attend the
reunion, making the trip in 65 walking
days.
Macon has made active preparations
for caring for the visitors The vet
erans will be camped at Camp John b.
Gordon, where 1000 large army stor-
age tents furnished free by the United
States government have been pltcneo
and three meals day will be furnish
cd free to the old soldiers. The COM
missary department has arranged to
feed 1000 at a sitting. Almost every
home in the city has been thrown open
for the. reception of visitors and whole
buildings have been dlled with beds
and cots. Over 100 temporary eating
houses have been provided and there
will be no danger of any one going
hungry.
Veterans Meet Tuesday.
The reunion of the United Confed-
crate veterans does. not open until
Tuesday morning and all sessions OF
the convention will be held in an au-
,ditorium seating 5000 people and To-
Gated within 200 yards of Camp Cor
don.
The convention of the United Sons
of Confederate veterans and the Con-
federate Memorial association Will
open Monday evening.
One of the first persons of note to
reach Macon was Gen. Bennett II.
Young, of Louisville, Ky, commander
of the Army of Tennessee. He pald
visit to Camp John B. Gordon and
pronounced it the best that has ever
been pitched at Confederate reunion.
An army of crooks are already SAID
TO have arrived in the city. The au-
thorities have arrived in the city. The
authorities have provided extra police
men and two companies of the Nation
al cuard will also do police duty.
Twontv of the best .Pinkerton de-