Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1916-05-19
GRAND PARADE /
ENDS REUNION
Surviving Wearers Of Gray
March in Review Before
Multitude
VIRGINIA is HONORED
Military Companies, Boy Scouts and
Bugle Corps From Old Dominion
Heartily Cheered

!;
Birmingham, Ata., May l9-The
twenty-sixth annual Reunion oi the
limited Confederate Veterans became
history when the gray uniformed snr-
vivors of the Army of the South pas
sed in review in their grand parade
Yesterday afternoon 1t was the clcs-
ing scene of one of the most success
full gatherings ever held by the or
ganiZation. and was witnessed by tens
of thousands Of citizens and visitors.
Washington will entertain the
Southerners next year, but there vii!
be fewer veterans there. According
10 Adjutant- General Mickle, death is
reducing the ranks at the rate OF IA
per cent year. Those who can go,
however, anticipate marching down
| Pennsylvania Avenue and being re-
viewed by Democratic President.
Following the parade in the after
! noon q brigade of Texas veterans,
commanded by Colonel Vik Reinhardt
and several companies Of the Ala
bama National Guard, commanded :by
Major Seals. fought sham battle
at the fair grounds.
Tonight numerous special trans
are scattering the veterans and vlsl-
tors to their homes in all sections OF
the south.
The streets were riot Of color
during the parade today, and the
marching veterans showed remark
able enthusiasm and yigor. As each
department commander and staff
reached the stand from which Gener-
! al Young and his staff were review
ing the parade, they took up posi-
tion at the right of the general staff.
| The marchers were two hours and
twenty minutes passing the stand.
and comparatively few old soldiers
were compelled to withdraw on ac-
count Of fatigue.
The South Carolina men attracted
q large share of attention their PAL
mctto flag beng conspicuous. The
largest delegations were :'''m VIZ
ginia. Georgia. Alabama and Iennes-
see. Four automobiles filed win
men in ihe fantastic disguise uf the
"Ku-Klux" brought up the rear.
John A. Wood, 10l years old. and
claiming to be the most aged veter-
M at tie rtrn;on. rode in a ear by
! himself
! To show the public they were far
ON their Inst annual reur'cn 3;t;h;
crinp hundreds of the old soldiers
indulged in dancing as they, passed
| in review at the end of their bong.
march. bringing wild cheering from
! the crowds. Cheers and the old rsbe!
yell yip-yip resounded from sidewalk
to sidewalk all along the. line Of
march.
Battle scared flags were borne By
many companies in the various COM
mands Negro body servants who had
served with their masters in the Civil
War marched again by their sides to-
dav. and there were many women, too,
who marched along with their hus-
bands. veterans, manifestly proud Of
the opportunity. T..
The gayrt: Of the er ~! reu...on
ball was marred Wednesday night by
the death of John A Mackey, aged
! seventy five. of Birmingham, vete-
even. lie c'.p.ced on TIE pal:room
floor lust after telling, a party Of
young people that when he died he
"would like to go amid scene of
such happiness. The body was re-
! moved quickly. and comparatively
few of the dancers knew of the oc-
currence.
Brmingham's resolution to care for
old veterans first has resulted in few
accidents and cases of illness. Plenty
of cots were furnished in the dowlI-
town buildings and at the camp at
The sollic.,; were placed in the build
ngs, and more than $500 men were
cared for.