Gen. Gordon spoke as seemed he never did before in a defense of the traditions and principles of the South at a joint meeting of the GAR and UCV in Atlanta. He paid fine tribute to the address of Gen. Shawl Referring to his remarks, he said:

“…When I saw the flag I followed and loved go down at Appomattox my heart would have broken but for my faith in God and his overruling providence.

I love this country. I love every acre of it. In these veins runs the blood of the founders of this republic. My forefathers fought and bled for this country's independence, and I believe no man is more ready to serve it in any emergency than myself… 

…But when he tells me and my Southern comrades that teaching our children that the cause for which we fought and our comrades died is all wrong, I must earnestly protest. In the name of the future manhood of the South I protest. What are we to teach them? If we cannot teach them that their fathers were right, it follows that these Southern children must be taught that they were wrong. Are we ready for that? For one I am not ready! I never will be ready to have my children taught that I was wrong, or that the cause of my people was unjust and unholy.

When Gen. Gordon had reached this point, he paused. He could not have continued had he desired to do so. There was one long, continuous yell throughout the large building.   

(A REBEL YELL I PRESUME)

Photo:  Jackson County NC Veterans...