VETERANS LEAVE FOR CONFEDERATE REUNION

Crowley Signal July 15, 1899

The first state reunion of Confederate Veterans is over.  Baton Rouge did herself proud in entertaining the old soldiers and they were unanimous in their expressions of appreciation of the kindness and hospitality shown them.  In speaking of the occasion the Advocate says editorially, among other things:

"It is impossible to estimate the number of those who took part in these exercises, as every train and steamboat that reached the city during the past three days brought large delegations of visitors, while from the adjoining parishes they poured in by hundreds on horseback and in every conceivable character of road vehicle.  The Boulevard and other main thoroughfares were crowded all day long with good natured crowds that jostled each other and seemed only upon a proper observance of the occasion and a hearty participation in the patriotic exercises which had been mapped out."

"Several thousand men, women and children filled up the spacious Pavilion at the University, chocked up its aisles and passages and overflowed the green campus, the latter in a vain attempt to listen to the distinguished orators invited to address the vast assembly.  Hon. John Allen Gens. Cabell and Cathchings sent letters of regret which were read by Congressman Robertston, the presiding officer, who also expressed his regrets at the unavoidable circumstances which had prevented the attendance of these distinguished patriots and veterans."

"Gov Foster, in a patriotic and eloquent address, welcomed the Reunion on the parts of the State and Gen. John McGarth extended the welcome on behalf of the mayor who was not able to be present.  The addresses of welcome were responded to by Gen Tunnard on behalf of the Veterans and by Gen. McClellan on behalf of the Sons of  Veterans, able addresses also being made by Associate Justice Monroe and Judge Allen Barksdale.  These addresses were lofty and patriotic in sentiment, there breathed  a spirit of loyalty to the cherished principles and traditions of the South, while at the same time they inculcated lessons of national duty and responsibility which did not fall upon unappreciative ears.  Of one thing we are heartily glad.  Among all those who spoke we did not hear one who attempted to apologize for or explain away the cause of the South in the greatest war of history.  The speakers were all loyal Southern men and broad-minded Americans; they were proud of the stand the South had taken in defense of Constitutional liberty and they were prouder still of the glorious record she made in those four long and bloody years of war."

"There is so much of this whining can’t be indulged in by degenerate Southerners; this eternal explaining and apologizing for the part the South took in the war that it is refreshing to see a man who is true to his manhood, true to the traditions and principle of his sires and who refuses to truckle to the cowardly spirits of compromise for the sake of gaining a passing mention in some northern newspaper.  The men who spoke to the veterans were yesterday were southern men in every fibre of their being; every heart beat of theirs is responsive to the sentiments of their loved southland hence they had nothing to say by way of apology for what the south did in 1861-1865.  They applauded the unyielding spirit which led the men of that period to stand by a great constitutional principle through long years of controversy in forum and senate, through the fire and smoke of battle and even through the humiliation and gloom of defeat.  It was this same unconquerable spirit that enabled the south without sacrifice of dignity to build again the waste places that were desolated by war, and it is to the maintenance of this spirit to which the people of this country must still look for the preservation of our liberty and the advancement of our race."

"The occasion was a grand one, and right as well was it improved by the distinguished orators who addressed the vast throng which congregated here from every section of Louisiana."

CONFEDERATE VETERANS

Crowley Signal March 15, 1902

Arrangements have been made for ladies to attend the Dallas encampment, and the following appointments have been made through the following order:

Headquarters Louisiana Division, United Confederate Veterans, Baton Rouge March 6, 1902

1. The major general commanding hereby announces the corps of ladies who are to represent this division at the general reunion of the United Confederate Veterans to be held in Dallas, Texas on April 22-25, proximo, and to serve as members of the staff of the division in the positions which they are hereby assigned and appointed viz:

Chaperon, Mrs. Gen. W.J. Behan, of New Orleans.

Sponsor division, Miss Catherine Graham Stafford of Alexandria, LA

First maid of honor, Mamie Graham of Ruston, LA

Second maid of honor, Miss Catherine Wilson Cole, of New Orleans, LA

Third maid of honor, Miss Yvonne Capdevelle, of New Orleans, LA

Fourth maid of honor, Miss Vivia Dean, of Amite City, LA

Fifth maid of honor, Miss Jerusha Lyons, of Lake Charles, LA

The sponsor and the maids of honor have been chosen to represent, incidentally, each of the six congressional districts of the state.

2. It is ordered that they be duly recognized and respected accordingly

By order of Leon Jastremski, major general commanding

A.B. Booth, colonel and adjutant general.

VETERANS LEAVE FOR CONFEDERATE REUNION

Crowley Signal May 17, 1926

Crowley last night sent a happy delegation to the annual Confederate reunion in Birmingham, when four sons of the South entrained shortly after midnight for the Alabama metropolis.

"Uncle Lish” Andrus with his fiddle, the elder Mr. Bowie, with his expressive dislike for the late General Sherman, O. Welch and S.D. Wilder will be the guest of his daughter, Mrs. W.E. Barnes, and will spend more time also visiting his old haunts along the Tombigbee river."

May 19, 1926

Lee’s men answered annual roll call today – 3,500 of them.

These gray uniformed warriors, who were cast in the fine mould of the old south, presented an inspiring but tragic picture when they assembled for their first business session of the 36^th confederate reunion.

The bulk of the men are silver haired; many are bent and dwarfted and scores are hobbling on crutches and canes due to hardships of the memorable struggles of the sixties and the ravages of time.  Some of them were unable to rise from their seats when the bands struck “Dixie.” One aged commander, with tears in his eyes, declared:

"Things are mighty bad when a confederate doesn’t jump when that piece is played."

In striking contrast to the feebleness of some were the vivacity and fire and fight of hundreds of these “boys.”  Well past 80 scores of these gallant men set a pace that kept legionnaires, police and boy scouts on the jump.

A note of pathos that had touched the patriotic picture was brushed away when General W.B. Freeman in his opening address scouted the idea that the confederate as an organization would disband.  The enthusiasm brought by this address dispelled the foreboding that the gallant remmant would be denied the privilege of meeting once a year.

This talk of growing old and quitting is so much nonsense, declared the venerable commander.  He said there was no such thing as a "limping army of men."