The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-04-14
SPIRIT OF SOUTH LIVES IN G RE \ I
 REUNION PARADE
Humor and Pathos Blend As Heroes of Sixties Pass
 In Review

NEW ORLEANS, April 13.-(By Associated Press nfederate Vet erans came into their own today with their parade, the concluding feature of the Thirty-thrd annual reunion.
 Although many of them fought in the Spanish Am erican war under the Stars and Stripes and their sons and Srandsons lent valiant aid in carry ing the emblem of the republic to principles that impelled them to wage losing struggle fer four long years against overwhelming odds, are not dead. That was attested by the man her in which the thousands upon thousands of southerners acclaimed them as they traversed the streets of New Orleans in an automobile pro- cession that required two hours and ten minues to pass a given point.
 The crowds could net be held back by the police but surged into the streets getting as near as possible to the line of cars, and whenever op- portunity offered shook hands with the veterans and patted them on the back. Here and there matrons and girls who could not suppress the.r emotion would approach cars stalled because of the traffic jam, put their arms about the necks of the old fel- lows and kiss them and many a father held up his small son CT daughter in order that he or she might clasp the hands of those who made history In the sixties.
 Old Negroes In Parade.
 While the parade had pathetic aspect for those who remembered that many of the feeble old fellows who participated would go to their eternal rest before the reuiiiGn in Memphis next year, there were fea- lures that temporarily oblltera: d from their minds. the sadness Of it all.
 The appearance of Howard bivin- ity of Mississippi. who claims ta have been the champion chicken thief of the Confederate army, was the signal for tumultuous denionstra ion. Uncle Howard. attired in a gray coat with a frazZled hem, an old gray cap. and with his coat and vest covered with reunion souvenirs. occuped the front seat of big touring car. In his lap he held an old burlap sack, and in the sack was a huge white hen. with her head and neck poked thrC ugh a hole. The old darky en- joyed it all but he had more fun after the parade when he walked down St. Charles street with the hen tucked under his arm. He was fol-
 
 pie.
 Lees Bodyeuard Honored.
 The Rev. William Mack Lee of Norfolk. Va. cook and body servant for Gen. Robert F. Lee. occupied a comrades. Rufus Patterson of Flor ence, Ala, who went through the war as the body servant of Colonel Patterson, commander of the Fifth Alabama, and father of former Gov. Malcolm R. Patterson of Tennessee, rode in a car with two other white haired negroes and three of his Ala bama white folks" Another car carried two negroes with a former Confederate officer seated between them.
 One little old darky who looked as if he had just stepped out of one of the John Trotwood Moores Uncle Wash" stories led the Junior Shriners band of New Orleans, that is, he kept just ahead of It. The band rent the air with jag tunes, while the old fel- low, with a frightened expression on his face. leaped from side to side of the street in an apparent attempt to escape. Then he would skip along in buck and wing dance that would have been the envy of 20-yearild.
 One block from the end of the route
 
 ment bearing a statue of Gen. Rob- ert F. Lee facing to the north, two of the veterans afoot weakened. An ambulance Stopped and those in charge attempted to place the worn- out ones aboard. They shook their heads. pointed at the statue of Gen. eral Lee, and went on.
 Falls At Leaders' Feet.
 One veteran couldn't stand the pace. He fell out almost within reach of the monument. Moving un- steadily. a Confederate flag in his hand, he was forced by his com panions to retire to the sidewalk. He stood erect for a moment. looked at splitting rebel yell"
 After that he was content to sit down.
 day, which until well into the fore noon was marked by heavy rain and lowering clouds. might be indicated by an incident which occurred in the
 morning. It was raining IS two aged standard-bearers walked slow ly down St. Charles street. Each carried giant flag furled abou, 6 heavy staff aslant on his olo shoulders.
 COlOuel, are you gong 10 paTdQe today?" pedestrian asked one oi them.
 "Aimin' to- was the response. But the rain? Aren't you afraid oi getting wet?"
 Both veterans looked upon him
 with scorn. Then one of them, Abihu Christofer. the proud bearer of the Fourth Alabama's starry embl m contracted his eyelids and remarke ed Rain aint botherin' us none. We all's too well seasoned to get warped"
 The reviewing stand at city hall was occupied by distinguished com. pany which fell out of the procession as that point was reached and re- mained there until last of the parade had passed more than two hours lat CT. It included Gen. Julian S. Carr of Durham, N C., the head of the naval veterans; Governor and Mrs Trinkle of Virginia, and the gover- nor's staff, Admiral Magruder and Captain Pope of the New Orleans naval station, Dr. George T. Harding father of the President of the United States, and a host of maids and ma af