Hammond Times, Volume 7, Number 299, Hammond, Lake County, 6 June 1913 — Page 9

(DxeMII v DScgpinmcBS 2 tflte Mill W(ID Faces, Young and Old, That Will Be Prominent at Confederate Reunion Something of Interest Concerning the Social Regime of the South Before the Civil War Full Social Calendar of Reunion Week. ,

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All of the faces that appear In the Illustration accompany this story will bo seen at the reunion of the Confederate Veterans of Chattanooga May 27-29. In the center of the group, the faces Of a number of splendid old southern ladles are seen. Surrounding- them are a bevy of the reigning belles of Dixie who will ehine at the reunion. The old ladies, the mothers of the Confede.-acy and belles of the fifties, saw and endured the storm and stress of a terrible war. They were born to luxury and reared under the Influences of the most splendid social system the world ever knew. The old south, with its hallowed memories.

had a social system that has never been excelled in brilliancy, refinement Or education by any country of any clime. The world never saw a country in which there was more refinement, a gTeater number of beautiful .women warmer hospitality and more brilliancy In the ballroom than existed under the antebellum regime in the society of the southern states. War having been declared, even the leaders In this social sstem of tha old south, with -a devotion that will always stand as a monument to southern womanhood, laid asb'j their pleasures and their comforts and min istered to the living and the dead of their countrymen who had answered the universal call to arms. The self-sacrificing devotion of the women of the south during the Civil war attracted attention the world over - d wrung from hostile lips unstinted praise. "Women who had been reared in luxury, clothed themselves in "homespun" and devoted the last shred of their fine linen to the service of the southern armies; followed their husbands to the field of battle in hundreds of instances; cared for the sick in army hospitals; closed the eyes of the dying soldier, and sent a thousand prayers to heaven for th3 success of the cause for which they had gone to arms. Through the long, terribtj struggle these women were true to the cause of the south, and after the struggle had ended, after the Stars and Bars had gone down in defeat, they strengthened the survivors and kept green the memory of their dead. One of the most melancholy and at the same time heroic pictures that the human mind can conceive is that of a proud southern woman bending with . devotion to the cause of her country, her father, husband or son encouraging them with a breaking but unfaltering heart as they prepared for war giving up her wealth and her pleasures and even her life, if need be, to that cause without complaint. Thousands of southern womsn did so. GEN. A. P. .... y The spirit of this old hero will be rest under the shade of the trees in Stewart, named In his honor, is located

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and their names are written among

the immortals of the earth. Each of the ol i ladies appearing in the accompanying illustration witnessed the struggle of the Civil war. and followed their distinguished hus bands on the field of battle either in person or in spirit. The red flame of cannon and the roar of battle did not deter them, if duty called. In this connection they are studied as types, or heroic characters. Tho south produced thousands of them during the Civil war. and their names are forever dear to the manhood of the south. It is for thejse reasons that the publicity committee of the Confederate reunion of Chattanooga pays a special tribute to the old ladies of the Confederacy. It is for the. same reasons that the people of Chattanooga will pay them marked attention during the fasti'arproaching reunion. They will be received as tho mothers in Israel and made to feel that the present generation has . not forgotten their self-sacrificing devotion to the Confederate cause during the sixties, and after. The Younger Generation. The younger generation of southern wome nhave as much heart in the Confederate cause as -heir mothers and grandmothers had in the sixties. If 'ried the same furnace they would sho.' the same spirit and devotion to a like cause. These are the belles of today throurhout the south, of the same proud line. It is in the nature of things that they lead in social functions, because society calls to the front the sons and daughters of distinguished parents on'these reunion occasions. If. therefore, their pictures appear oftener in the newspapers it is because, in the very nature of things, they are social leaders. . But it is a beautiful sentiment to worship occasionally at the shrine of delightful old ladies. There are four typical southern women included in this group that followed the fortunes of the Confederacy with sorrowful but firr-. devotion. They are Mrs. John B. Gordon, of Atlanta, widow of the gifted Confederate chieftain, the late and beloved Gen. John B. Gordon r Mrs. J. E. B. Stuart, widow of Gen. J. H. B. Stuart; whose spirit is yet "charging up and down the valley" cf the beautiful Shenandoah; Mrs Virgina Clay-Clop-ton, of Huntsville, Ala relict of Gen. Clay, and a woman of rare charm of heart and mind; Mrs. Pickett, of Virginia, widow of the briliant and dashing Pickett, who charged into the mouths of blazing cannons at Gettysburg, making for himself an imperishable name. These are four of the women who stood out boldly during the Civil war as representatives of the old, heroio STEWART present with the Boys In Grey, as they beautiful Jackson Park, where Camp

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south of blessed memory. They belong to the great army of noble south-e:-i" women who "broke the ashen crust and moistened it with their tears." The south is. indeed, a land of story and of song, and hallowed memories. The pictures of these mothers of the Confederacy carry the new soot:, back to the da

ploughshare of ruin was driven deeply Into the heart of the southern states, and the last measure of devotion was paid to an Ideal and a cause by thousands of their best men. Representatives of the past and the present are to meet in Chattanooga during the approaching Confederate reunion for the purpose of keeping alive the memories of the sixties. Social features are made prominent at these reunions of the gray. Chattanooga has planned the social features of the coming reunion on a broad scale. The younger generations will lead, the son- and daughters of the Confeder acy in inese social lunctions, but the veterans will not be forgotten. That point has been carefully arranged by the reunion management. Bennett Young Pavilion. pavilion is being erected on Chamberlain field, on the campus or the University of CWattanooga, to accommodate the attendance at the annual reunion balls. This pavilion has bee- named in compliment to Gen. Bennett II. Young, commander-in-chief of the United nfederate Veterans. ,It will be known, therefore, as Bennett H. Young pavilion. It is doubtful if at any previous reunion of the Confederate Veterans so much expense and care has been taken to provide for the social side of the meetings as Chattanooga has done. The pavilion will be a model in its line. It will have 37.500 feet of floor snace, 2,500 seats, three entrances, two large dressingrooms equipped with all possible conveniences, including maids and valets for ladies and gentlemen, respectively. The pavilion will be wtl policed during all of the social functions which are to be held there. The Daughters of the Confederacy will te. -er a reception to the veterans at this pavilion on the evening of May 27, opening the social functions. This event covers the time between 8 p.m. and 11 P-m. On the evening of May 28 the Confederate Veterans' ball takes place, and on the evening of May 2 the social program at the pavilion is concluded by the Sons of Veterans ball. All three of these functions will be carried out on an elaborate scale. Committees of men and women, experienced in these social affairs, are at work arranging all of the final details for these functions, and the social side of the reunion has every prospect of being unusually attractive and successful. Quite a number of social functions are being arranged in addition to those to be given at Bennett H. Young pavilio. Among these may be mentioned a lawn party at Warner park on the afternoon of May 27, to which a general invitation is extended. Light refreshments will be served, followed by dancing in the park pavilion in the evening. This function is intended primarily as ft means by which the visitors may be made acquainted with the people of Chattanoga. The receiving line will be composed of the members of the ladies' reunion committee and delegates from the two local chapters of the Daughters of the Confederacy. This event takes place immediately after the sponsors' parade, and the sponsors will be conveyed to the park and to the receiving line in the same automobiles used during the parade. The refreshments on this or"--' n will be served at daintily appointed and decorated booths, at which chai .nlng young women of Chattanooga will preside. On the morning of May 8 the fortyfive official sponsors and their attendants, veterans and sons of veterans will be the guests of the ladies' reunion committee at breakfast at the beautiful Golf and Country club, a few miles from the city limits, reached by an interesting trip across the historic Tennessee river. The clubhouse will be decorated in Confederate colors, and bands will make music during the function. In the evening on May 28 from 6 to 7 o'clock many of the handsome homes of Chattanooga will keep "open house" for visitors. Procession of Sponsors. The procession of sponsors will be a brilliant feature of the reunion, and one in which much interest centers. Five hundred automobiles have been engaged and all the beautiful young women who attend ine reunion aa sponsors and maids of honor and ma- . -m Vw in machines. They will carry pennants and banners and the cars will be decorated In red and white. Bands will also be riding, in automobiles, for no parade could be a success without plenty of music. And when this parade has passed and .. onri hppn admired in every part of the town, it will wind through Camp Stewart, so mai every veicmw can hav ie privilege of close inspection of department and division brigade sponsors. And then the gay procession will come to a close in Warner park, where the lawn party will be enjoyed by all the young people from 5 to 7 o'clock. The guests will be the sponsors and their attendants and the young men of Chattar nooga who are on thu sponsor committee, or rather the committee for entertainment of sponsors and maids of honor. Also the young men visitors will be Invited to this affair. The sponsors and their maids of honor furnish the most interesting feature of the reunion to many, and the greatest curiosity is often expressed as to just what the sponsors do and why they should exist! The custom originated when Miss Winnie Davis wts living. Miss Davis was called the "Daughter of the South, and the "Daughter of the Confederacy.' because she was born during the w in the capital of the Confederate states Richmond. When the United Confederate Veterans met in Chattanooga, by the way, twenty-three year ago, when the organization was

Reading from left to right: Top row Miss Louise Mountcastle, beautiful Knoxville girl, maid of bonor of the Knoxville Camp; Mrs. LaSalle Corbell, widow of Gen. George E. Pickett, of Gettysburg fame; Miss Mary Tucker Irvin Gallaway, maid of honor for Georgia, on thestaff of the Commander-in-Chief. Second row Mrs. John B.i Gordon, widow of the late beloved Commander-in-Chief of the U. C. V.; Mrs. Virginia Clay-Clopton, of Huntsville, AJa., noted for her love and devotion to the south and the cause of the U. C. V.; Mrs. Flora Stuart, of Norfolk, Va.. widow of Gen. L E. B. Stuart; Miss Annie E Martin, maid of honor, T. Ed. Murray Camp, No'. 510, U. C. V., Pine Bluff, Ark.

formed they shortly made Miss Davis sponsor to represent the organization. After her death another well-known southerner was given the distinction. and then the honor was awarded each year. T" e three departments chose sponsors, ami then the divisions of states took up the custom. So now it is a part of the constitution of the Vnited Confederate 'Ytterans' association these sponsors and maids of honor. As for what thev do they ride in the parades and they mingle with the old veterans. On one memorable evening they are presented. The presentation of the sponsors is a thrilling and spectacular event. Each sponsor is attended by her maid , and matron of honor and the ceremony is interesting and beautiful. And then the balls at the balls the sponsors shine. They march in the grand march and they dance In the southern cross each with a veteran for escort, in short, the sponsors and the maids are a part of the reunion. Nobody ever heard of anything in the south, before the war or after where tho ladies did not play a very Important part In every function of soceity. Miss Kate Daffan, of Texas, has been chosen sponsor for the south, and she will be attended by a bevy of maids some of the best known young women in the south.' And, by the way, no one is eligible for the appointments who has not Confederate ancestry. . The department sponsors have alsobeen appointed. Miss Corinne Hampton, x.f South Carolina, is sponsor for the department of northern Virginia. Miss Willie Gertrude Storey is sponsor for the department of Transmississirri. and Miss Marguerite Hol

land is sponsor for the department of Tennessee. Each of these belles has a following of maids of honor and each will be a center of much social life. The division, or state sponsors, have many of them been appointed. Miss Mary Cox, of Bristol, represents Tennessee. Miss Lucy Worth Currie has the honor of representing North Carolina. Miss Winnie Davis Major will head the Kentucky delegation of beauties. Miss Mary Kendriek Is a California beauty who was chosen ' for sponsor for the Pacific division. Miss Lela Byrd was selected to grace Arkansas' feminine staff. Miss Helen Rutherford is an Oklahoma beauty whose title is sponsor for the Oklahoma division. Miss Netta Jones was selected to represent Alabama. Miss Georgia Rambo Is Georgia's representative. Miss Josephine Woc'.en Is Texas' sponsor. Miss Mildred Martin will represent Missouri. Then the Sons of Veterans have a group of sponsors and maids. Gen. Norfleet, commander, appointed Miss Anna Martin, Miss Mary earl Read and Miss Irene Rogers is maid of honor and Mrs. Jno. Edmondson Smartt, is matron of honor. Gen. Norfleet has honored two popular Chattanoogas in his appointments. Miss Anna Martin, who has been chosen first maid of honor for sponsors-in-chief. Sons of Confederate Veterans, is the daughter of Mrs. Alice Martin and the late William A. Martin, who was a gallant officer in the Confederate army. He was h vcrely wounded in battle. He was a leading citizen of Chattanooga and

his family has been one of the first in the city's social, business and philanthropic affairs. Mrs. John Edmondson Smartt, matron of hunr to the sponsors, was before her nrarrlage Miss Mary Read, daughter of Mr. Samuel R. Read. Mr. J. E. Smartt is the son of Capt. and .:rs. James Polk Smartt. and their marriage was a recent social .event of importance. Mrs. Edmondson Smartt is the granddaughter of Dr. P. D. Sims, Chattanooga's beloved physician, who,' through haU a century has ministered to th. people. During the visitation of the yel)ov fever scourge in 18 1 8, ere the ravages cf war ha j been healed. Dr. Sims performed heroic service for ti community, but it is from his record during the siege of Chattanooga that young Mrs. Smartt has eligibility for her hirrh honor. Dr. Sims, with a never faltering courage and patience, waited upon the Confederate wounded after the battles, when they lay upon the bare, cold ground. He formed a committee of women and with Gen. Grant's permission hasty mattresses wer- made of leaves from Cameron hill, then a wooded forest, and all day and night after the battle of Missionary ridge Dr. Sims, with one other physician. Dr. Milo Smith, cared for the wounded and dying. Gen. C-ant, who gave permission for the moving of the leaves from Cam eron hill and for Dr. Sims and Dr. Smith to care for the Confederate wounded, also furnished wagons to haul the leaves from Cameron Hill. One of the ladies assisting Dr. Sima tvn Mrs. James A. Whiteside. .The

1 Whiteside estate owned Cameron Hill.

where the leaves were gathered, and owned the old Lookout Mountain house, which had long been a hotel. Mrs. Whiteside set a committee of women to work sewing the hotel sheets (which she had stored) into huge bags, and these and the pillow cases were Uled by her direction with the leaves. These improvised mattresses were placed as rapidly as they wre filled under the wounded men. Other Social Events. But the social calendar has not been exhausted. Jonathan W. Bachman camp, ons of Confederate Veterans, has arranged for a reception to the visiting Sons of Veterans at the Hotel Patten, when the visitors will be presented to the young ladles of Chattanooga who are prominent In the reunion work. This reception Is scheduled for the evening of May 27. It will be one ol the many delightful events of the week, and tho first opportunity the visitors will have to meet Chattanooga's many handsome and bewitching young ladies. Two entertainments will be given during the week at a local theater b the inimitable Polk Miller, of Richmond, Va. The proceeds of these entertainments will be devoted to defraying the expenses Incurred by the Jonathan W. Bachman camp. Sons of Veterans, In entertaining the reunion visitors. It is not possible to chronicle, in fact, all of the social features of reunion week. The be:t that Chattanooga can provide in the social and entertainment line will be freely given the visitors by the city's most accomplished men and women.