The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-06-11

WASHINGTON, D. c., June Ii
Washingtonians are still talking Of
the greatest reunion of the Old Con-
federates ever held, which was the
one thing which commanded all atten-
ton here this week. They will con-
tinue to talk about it for long while
to come, but not SO long, perhaps, as
the old vets who wear the gray, them
selves. It was unique, and 1t was
historic. There are so many really
Interesting things to tell about it, that
enc must give up undertaking 1t, FOR
news print paper Is scarce, and manag
ing editors are as stingy with their
space as misers are of their hidden
treasure. One big fact about 1t is that
there were many times more veterans
here, and people not veterans, that the
committee was caught unprepared'
But a few hours confusion, and the
help OF hundreds of citizens who jump
ed IN at the crisis to help straighten
things out, saved the situation. me
veterans and the visitors were good
natured about it, for, as a matter OF
fact, the veterans themselves were to
blame. When the committee can
yassed all the Confederate camps, 1t
was shown from the reports that the
total number Of old soldiers would be
few slight Of 1000. The committee al
lowed wide margin and made its prep
arations. When the visitors started
tc pour in, 1t was seen that thousands
Of Old Confeds had evidently decided
cfter the camps he'd been canVassed
that they couldn't afford to miss haV-
!ng hand in some Of history-mak1ng,
for this was what the great reunion
lust ended certainly was. And, by
every token, one Of the most brilliant
chapters ever written into the history
Of the Nation. They appeared from
the plains and mountains OF Dixie
land as II my magic. Special trains
rolled in which the committee had new
er heard Of. There we're hundreds
upon. hundreds of Southerners here
who had never been further away from
their humble homes since the war than
their countyseat. The committee met
the unlocked for condition with Won
terful activity and commendable skill.
There was no trouble about the COM
mjhsary, but finding sleeping quarters
for all the old grey fellows was hard
er problem to solve. But 1t was solved
ali right The people Of the Capital
rallied promptly and unselflshly. They
took in the old boys the same as peo-
ME do In small towns when the preach
efs Hattend conference" The visitors
they outnumbered the veterans ten
to one had no trouble faring for them
selves
west Virginia veterans attending
the reunion numbered not to exceed
i60, but there were several thousand
here from the state who were not vet
Grams, come to look on, and in mem
DRY 81 loved ones who had a part In
the stirring military drama of the Six
ties. These West Vtrgtnians were Civ
cfi an sextra" IN tho way Of banquet
and an entertainment staged at the old
Masonic Temple under the auspices OF
he West virginia State Society, whose
president Is Henry s. Baker, The 30
ciety,s guests appreciated In 40 uncer-
tain way what the society did in their
honor, and the expense and pains It
went to for them.
such another parade as that Of
Thursday the Nations Capital will new.
81 BEE aagin. 1t throbbed and pulsated
With patriotism and history from its
beginning to its end. There were old
boys "a blue IN it, too, and thousands Of
Young boys in khaki their faces deter.
mlnedIy turned to some far of battle
line IL Flanders, But il was the Old