The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1916-05-24
Gray Clad Remnants of Gallant Hosts
Marched Through Streets of Bir-
mingham as Meeting Passes Into
History. Palmetto Flags Attract
Attention.

death is reducing the ranks at the
rate of IA per cenA year.
Those who can 60, however, are
promising themselves the pleasure of
marching down Pennsylvania avenue
and being reviewed by Democratic
president.
Following the parade in the after
noon brigade of Texas veterans
commanded by Col. Vik Reinhardt
and several companies of the Alaba-
ma National Guard, commanded by
Mai. Carl Seals fuoght a sham battle
at the fair grounds. At the conclu-
sion the Texans marched back to the
citv. declaring they had won the fight
without the loss of single man.
Tonight scores of special trains are
scattering the veterans and visitors
to their homes in all sections of the
South.
Cool, cloudy weather helped to fur
nish ideal conditions for the parade
and comparatively few of the veter-
ans were forced to withdraw from
the line. 1t took two hours and 20
minutes for tn eprocession to pass a
given point.
Massed in front of the reviewing
stand at Twentieth street and Fifth
avenue where Gen. Bennett Young
and his staff took their positions, were
the bands, while the departmental
stats as they arrived at the stand
took their positions on the right of
the general staff.
To show the public they were far
from their last annual reunion gath
ering, hundreds of the old soldiers in
dulged in dancing as they passed in
review at the end of their long march
bringing wild cheers from the crowds.
Cheers and the old rebel "yip-yip"
resounded from sidewalk to sidewalk
all along the Inc of march.
Battle Scared flags were borne by
many companies in the various COM
manGs. Negro body servants who had
served with their masters in the war
marched again by their sides today
and there were many women, too,
who marched along with their hus-
bands, veterans, manifestly proud of
the opportunity.
Few Sailors Left.
Commodore A. o. Wright of Jack
sonville, Fla, commanding officer of
the Confederate States navy, and a
handful of veterans were the only
representatives of the navy which at
the time of the war was composed of
about 5000 men.
The Alabama National Guard,
headed by Col. E. J. McCrossin, was
represented by cavalry, infantry and
artillery sections. Boy Scouts from
several States who had accompanied
veterans to the reunion also were in
line.
Four automobiles loaded with Ku
K1ux in the fantastic garb of white
robes and white peaked hats worn by
that organization wound up the pro-
cession.
One of the most picturesque units
among the old soldiers was brigade
of Tennessee troops in full uniform
and acrrying their old muskets with
fixed bayonets. "We were there,
We're all ready to fgth now," they
yelled as they passed in review. The
Forrest cavalry in their faded yellow
waist length blouses also attracted at
tention. -.
Thousands of school children, all
waving the Stars and Stripes and the
Stars and Bars. marched in the pa
rade, while thousands lined the
streets and as the bands came along
playing favorite Southern airs the
children took up the songs.
Virginia, Georgia, Alabama, Ten
nessee and Mississippi furnished prob
ably the largest bodies of troops IN
line, but West Virginia, North and
South Carolina, Florida, Texas and
Arkansas were well represented: The
South Carolina flags with the palmet-
to on a white background, attracted
much attention.
John A. Wood of Tennessee, 101
years old, and said to be the oldest
member attending the reunion, rode
in car by himself and attracted
considerable attention.
The retiring commander, Gen. Ben
nett H. Young, tonight sent the fol-
lowing message to President Wilson:
"To the president: The United Con-
federate Veterans in annual conven-
ton by unanimous vote wish to COM
mend and indorse your conduct In
keeping our country so far in hon
orable peace. At the same time they
pledge you their cordial support to
maintain at all times the dignity and
honor of our government"
Gen. Harrison tonight reappointedi
William E. Mickle adjutant general
and chief of staff with the rank OF
major general.