The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1915-11-01
veterans RE TURN
! FROM THE REUNION
HELD At 0CALA, Fla.
ALL BROUGHT BACK STORIES OF
THE PLEASANT TIMES EN-
JoYED THROUGHOUT THEIR
TIME AT GATHERING.

Veterans who attended the reunion
1T Ocala, Fla, have returned and
they have been kept busy since ar
rival telling Of the happy times they
enjoyed throughout their stay in
Jacksonville, also in Ocala, where the
xeunion took place. In Jacksonville
they attended the ceremonies incident
30 the unwilling Of the Womans monu-
ment, which the Florida division, U.
C. v. presented to the city of jack
ponyille. An interesting resume OF
Che trip has been gotten together by
Mr.. s. A. Rawls, and he tells of the
treatment which the Pensacola vet
eran, Ia common With those of other
parts Of the state, was fortunate in
receiving. This account follows:
The reunion Of the Confederate
Veterans held last week, really be-
ran in Jacksonville, since the impos-
ing ceremonies of unwilling the
Womans monument, which the Flori-
da division, u. c. v. presented to the
city of Jacksonville were held at Con-
federate park on Tuesday, at which
the veterans, the U. D. c., the Ladies'
Memorial Association, and the
ssDaughters of the Sixties" occupied
the grand stand, and about six
Thousand people Occupied the space
in front.
The unveiling was beautiful and
Imposing ceremony, and marks the
completion of a work Of love and
devotion on the part of those who
contributed money and effort toward
The erection Of this grand tribute to
commemorate the deeds of the women
of the south; those who helped to sus-
tain the confederacy during the four
years of civil strife.
There it was dedicated, hallowed
tribute, with the solemn beauty of
che splendid scene unmarried by the
elouded skies from which drops Of
rain fell at intervals on tattered ban
ners and on the snowy heads Of the
heroines, and gray-clad heroes Of the
war, able orators lifted the veil Of
half q century and gave forth merit-
ed tribute TO the survivors Of the
conflict.
The veterans were entertained fol
the next three days at Ocala, and in
If possible, more cordial than evel
before. Committees met them at thu
railway stations and, in automobile
distributed them to the homes Of th
hospitable people where they ha'
been assigned, and thenceforwar'
they were their house-guests.
In the afternoon Of Wednesday al
were taken in automobiles to beauti
full Silver Springs, from which flow
the Oklawaha river, one of the love
Hest rivers in all Florida, and en-,
barking in launches went on tri
down the stream, returning in abou
an hour.
The next two days were spent i
business sessions, except when an In
terim of an hour was taken, to en-
10Y the great parade on Friday morn
! ing, which was given in honor of tn
veterans.
The parade was led by the Mario
county band, followed by the militar
company; then came the Daughter
of the Confederacy, the Sons of We
Grams, and many veterans joined
the line, but the chief feature wa
the procession of school children {
! all the schools in Ocala. Thes
: passed in review, and were greete
! by the division and brigade commant
ers with their staff officers in bri
liant uniforms, occupying position
on the porches Of the largest hotel
Ocals. This function was beautiful
conceived, and the enthusiasm whis
it evoked was beyond description.
That night grand ball was give
at the Womans club, which was Il
brilliant climax of the reunion, al
was attended by q vast crowd
people. Punch was served, and aft,
the grand march, the dancing begs