The Sentinel=record., 1914-05-07
CONFEDERATE VETERANS RE- TURN OHIO BATTLE FLAG
 CAPTURED AT RlNGoLD GAP.
RECEIVE GOV. cox THANKS
Confederate Commander Pays Trib- ute to Florida for Large Proportion of Troops Furnished the Confed- eracy in Civil War.

Jacksonville, Fla, May 6.-Wel- coming addresses and responses, the return of a captured battle flag to delegation of Union veterans from Ohio, and a multiplicity of social di- versions marked the formal opening here today of the United Confederate Veterans twenty-fourth annual re- union. Bright weather prevailed throughout the day and thousands of visitors poured into the city to par ticipate in and witness the reunion.
 No feature of the day surpassed the simple ceremonies attending the presentation tonight of a Seventy sixth Ohio battle flag to personal rep resentatiyes of Governor James M. Cox of Ohio by Colonel D. NJ. Scott, commander of Camp Jones, United Confederate Veterans of Alabama, and Mrs. T. Randolph Leigh of Mont gomery. The flag was captured by the First Arkansas regiment of Con federate soldiers at the battle of Ringold Gap in 1863, and later was turned over the Alabama veterans. Governor Cox sent George F. Burba of Columhus,- -Qhio, and a delegation of five Union veterans to receive the 1 flag. In the letter which they brought from the governor of Ohio. an invitation was extended to the Confederate Veterans to hold their next reunion on the state grounds at Columbus. Governor Cox letter in part follows:
 "l regret that the exigencies of my office are such that it is impossible for me to be with you at this time. The state of Ohio is, however, send
 ing a committee of boys of the days of lSG1-65 to receive at your hands battle flag which you secured from them at Ringold Gap, Ga, n 1863.
 They have been instructed to bring it to the state house here at Columbus, where 1t will be forever preserved as the emblem of their heroism in defending it and your bravery in winning it. It will for ever De revered as a token of eternal peace between the north and the south. We shall gaze upon it's sacred folds as a banner of war re-woven by the loom of years into a badge of peace.
 'ln the name of the people of Ohio, l thank you for the return of this battle flag. Should you see fit we will welcome you to hold your grounds and we will conduct you to the shrine where will hang this priceless fabric"
 In his address General Bennett II. Young. commander-in-chief of the United Confederate Veterans. paid high tribute to the soldiers of Flor ida who participated in the war be- tween the states as Confederate sol diers.
 Proportionately headed, no state sent more men into the armies of the Confectionery. In 1860 Florida had only 7S,000 white people, and yet sha sent Il regiments of infantry and or ganized for local defense almost as many more.
 'It is a great pleasure for the sur vivors of the Confederate army to meet here in the metropolis of Florida. We cannot forget that Florida proportionately gives more money for pensions to the Confed- crate soldiers than any other state.
 The splendid hospitality extended to this the twenty-fourth reunion, the glad and joyous welcome which is everywhere accorded, will make your visitors always feel kindly to the citi- zenship of your entire state"