In 1889, several Confederate fraternal and memorial groups met in New Orleans, Louisiana, and formed the United Confederate Veterans Association to serve as a historical, social, benevolent, and literary association in remembrance of the Confederacy. The organization, which was organized into 18,885 local camps, provided for former Confederate soldiers' widows and orphans, preserved relics and mementos, cared for disabled former soldiers, preserved a record of its members' service, and organized reunions and fraternal gatherings.
The United Confederate Veterans Association was active well into the 1940s.
The Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV) was formed in 1896 by sons of United Confederate Veterans members for descendants of Confederate veterans, and still exists today. United Daughters of the Confederacy, an organization for female descendants of Confederate Veterans, was also formed.
Dudley W. Jones was born in Titus County in 1842 and enlisted in the Titus Greys as a private when company was organized Lone Star (now Mt. Vernon). Jones was involved in a number of bloody battles during the Civil War and rose to the rank of Colonel by the time the war was over. After the War, Colonel Jones returned to Titus County and received his law license, then moved to Houston to practice of law. He served in the First Constitutional Convention of Texas after the war and died in 1870 in Houston, where he was buried.
When the United Confederate Veterans Association (U.C.V.) organized a Titus County veterans' camp, it was named "Colonel Dudley W. Jones Camp No. 121, Mt. Pleasant, Texas." The Dudley W. Jones Camp, U.C.V. hosted the 1909 Texas State Confederate Reunion for Confederate veterans, their wives, sons, and daughters in Mt. Pleasant on Thursday and Friday, July 29 and 30, 1909.
Planning for the event began on June 4, 1909 when the Dudley W. Jones Camp met with private citizens and local officials at the court in a large public gathering. This was probably the largest event ever held in Mt. Pleasant until that time, and the crowd far exceeded the small town's available public lodging and dining facilities. A committee was formed to arrange for private homes to lodge the visiting veterans. The reunion was to be held in Dellwood Park, which at the time was in its hey-day and was a major tourist attraction featuring a 70 room hotel, mineral springs that flowed red, white, and blue water, camping areas, and several pavilions and other recreational facilities.
On July 24, 1909 the group met again and the committees from across Titus County reported that people living in the county would furnish noon provisions for over 500 veterans. People living inside the City of Mt. Pleasant agreed to furnish the veterans breakfast and supper and to entertain them free in their homes.
Almost every business man and many residents decorated their stores with flags and bunting. Confederate flags flew from the court house, which was the event's official registration center, and the court house interior was decorated for the veterans. The town had been elaborately decorated, but even so there were fewer decorations than planned because the vendors ran out of flags. An arch was erected at the foot of Depot Street at the entrance to the business district to represent the gateway to the city for the veterans to pass through on their way into town. (It should be noted that most long distance travel in 1909 was by train.)
A number of visitors from over the State arrived as early as Tuesday, July 27, and several military companies which included around 200 veterans and their wives arrived on Wednesday, July 28. On July 29, early morning trains brought another 500 to 600 visitors. According to a July 29, 1909 article in the Dallas Morning News, a conservative estimate of the number of visitors reached five or six thousand by the time everyone had arrived from far-away destinations by train and from surrounding counties by horse and wagon.
At 8 a.m. the veterans began to assemble at the Titus County Court House, and the sons and daughters of the Knights of Pythias Hall, for a march to Dellwood Park. An hour later the procession, which was about a mile long, formed from the west side of the court house. The procession was headed by the Mt. Pleasant Cadet Corps, led by Dr. G.V. Ridley. They were followed by Mt. Pleasant's Dudley W. Jones Camp No. 121, then the Fort Worth Grays in uniform, and about 300 veterans representing various camps. Citizens followed on foot, horseback, wagons, buggies and other conveyances. Veterans who were too feeble to walk were given transportation.
In addition to the large parade, a motorized trolley ran from approximately the intersection of what are now East First and East Second Streets to Dellwood Park at the time. Local people, including descendents of the family who once owned Dellwood Park, have always wondered what happened to the trolley's motor. According to an August 2, 1909 Dallas Morning News article, "The car has a seating capacity of about twenty persons, but as many as sixty crowded on the car and overtaxed its power. A trailer was built to help carry the passengers, but it was not placed in use owing to the breakdown." The motor was never repaired and after the convention until Dellwood Park closed it was drawn by a horse or mule.
At the park Rev. N.A. Seale, Chaplin of Dudley W. Jones Camp of Mount Pleasant, gave the opening address on behalf of the camp and the citizens of Titus County. He said in part: "I assure you that no place in Texas accorded you a more hearty and sincere welcome than Mount Pleasant, the metropolis of Northeast Texas. You will find no prettier woman on Texas soil. We have good taters and possums, but you are too early for them; also our big watermelons raised in this county will tempt your appetite. Out fruit crop is practically a failure this year. In inviting you to Mount Pleasant at Wills Point reunion last year I did so at the urgent request of our City Council, Commercial Club and citizens in general. The keys to the homes of our city we turn over to you. Use them at your pleasure and make yourself at home. We are not here to discuss politics, but to mingle as one common people. The white flag of peace has been hoisted in our country and the bitter animosities engendered forty-five years ago are remembered no more."
"I extend to you a most heartfelt and cordial welcome. Our doors are always open. We have no keys to our homes. I don't know of another organization that delights me more to honor and welcome than the veterans, their wives, sons and daughters of Texas. I now welcome you to all privileges. Take advantage of them and enjoy yourself."
Local legend has it that by the time the event ended that people attending the reunion had eaten almost all of the available food supplies in town, and some went away hungry. This cannot be verified, but is likely when you consider that Titus County's entire native population was less than the number of reunion guests.
We have listed the 1909 Dallas Morning News articles that relate to the Confederate Reunion below for you to read if you wish. These articles were originally discovered by Scott Hays, webmaster of the Greenhill Community website, who is very interested in the Civil War. Microfilm of early Dallas Morning News articles pre-dates those of the Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, which begin in 1923. The articles that Scott discovered have cleared up a number of questions that have been asked locally for years, but due to lack of documentation could never be determined. We thank him for his efforts in documenting Titus County history.
Dallas Morning News, Dallas, Texas
June 5, 1909
PLAN TO ENTERTAIN VETERANS
Meeting Takes Place at Mount Pleasant to Arrange for State Gathering July 29 and 30
Mount Pleasant, Tex., June 5 - A mass meeting of citizens of Mount Pleasant and Titus County was held at the court house here yesterday evening for the purpose of making arrangements to entertain the next state meeting of the Confederate Veterans which meets in this city Thursday and Friday, July 29 and 30. W.J. Johnson, commander of the Dudley W. Jones Camp of this city, called the meeting to order. E.I. Lazarus was elected chairman and A.S. Mitchell secretary. The following committee was appointed to secure homes for the old soldiers: Misses Letha Delafield and Mary Rogers Mesdames, T.W. Vaughan and T.M. Fleming, F.E. Starnes, Dr. T.S. Grissom, C.O. Lide and J.M. Badt. The following executive was appointed to have general supervision: W.J. Johnson, J.V. Moore, S.P. Pounders, H.A. Willson and F.W. Fitzpatrick. The meeting adjourned to meet again the last Saturday in June. A temporary organization of the Sons of Confederates was organized, but adjourned to meet again Monday afternoon, June 7, when permanent organization will be perfected, officers elected, etc.
Dallas Morning News, Dallas, Texas
July 25, 1909
STATE CONFEDERATE REUNION
Mount Pleasant Camp Making Preparations to Entertain the Veterans.
Mount Pleasant, Tex. - Dudley W. Jones Camp U.C.V., with the various committees appointed to make arrangements for the entertainment of the State Confederate reunion here this week, met yesterday evening at the court house to complete the final arrangements for the care and entertainment of the old veterans. Nearly every committee appointed at the various places in the county reported and it was ascertained that the country people outside Mount Pleasant would furnish provisions enough for over 500 veterans for dinner for both days of the reunion. The people of the city will furnish the veterans breakfast and supper and entertain them free in their homes and the country folks will furnish dinner. Word has been received from a great many Confederate camps over the State and a good representation is expected from many of them. A number of camps in contiguous counties met yesterday to make arrangements for attending the State reunion in a body.
Dallas Morning News, Dallas, Texas
July 27, 1909
MOUNT PLEASANT PREPARES FOR CONFEDERATE REUNION
TOWN IS RAPIDLY DONNING GALA DAY ATTIRE
Confederate Flag of Large Size to Float from Dome of Court House. Visitors Arriving
Mount Pleasant, Tex., July 27 - While it is two days until the meeting of the State Confederate reunion, some of the business men here are beginning to decorate their stores and by Wednesday evening nearly every business house in the city and many residences will be resplendent with flags and bunting. For the first time in the history of Mount Pleasant will entertain the veterans of the State and the welcome that will be extended to them by the people of this city will be the most cordial and elaborate of that or any previous occasion of any city in East Texas.
The courthouse will be profusely decorated tomorrow by streamers and bunting, and a large Confederate flag will float from the flagstaff at the dome of the building. At a meeting yesterday of Dudley W. Jones Camp, U.C.V., Miss Mabel Williams was selected as sponsor and Mrs. George Lilienstern as maid of honor for the camp. Misses Ruby Moore and Edith Richards will represent the local camp of Sons of the Confederates as sponsor and maid of honor. Miss Willie Clements as sponsor and Miss Zeurbia Slaughter as maid of honor will represent the Texas division U.C.V. Miss Florence Pounders as sponsor as Miss Ollie Hutchins as maid of honor will represent the Texas division U.S.C.V. A number of visitors from over the State have already arrived and by Wednesday night it is expected that several thousand will be here.
Dallas Morning News, Dallas, Texas
July 28, 1909
READY FOR CONFEDERATES
Mount Pleasant in Gala Attire for Reunion - Large Crowed Expected
Mount Pleasant, Tex., July 28 - Nearly every business house and many residences in this city are gayly and beautifully decorated today with flags and bunting of red, white and blue, and the city, for the first time in its history, is striking appearance. However, the decorations will not be so extensive as at first planed, owing to the supply of flags and bunting being exhausted.
A number of Confederate flags are floating from the court house, the interior of which is decorated for the veterans, where they met Thursday morning at 9 o'clock to register and secure badges ad homes. An arch has also been erected at the entrance to the business part of town at the foot of Depot street. The veterans will pass through this arch, which represents the gateway to the city. The veterans, their wives, sons and daughters will be accorded a true Southern welcome of genuine hospitality when they visit our city, and the people of Mount Pleasant will care for them lovingly and tenderly and turn over to them the keys which unlock the doors of our homes. A number of military companies arrived today, among them the Fort Worth Grays and the Marshall company, accompanied by their sponsors and maids of honor.
About two hundred veterans and wives arrived this evening to attend the State reunion. They went directly to the court house, secured badges and were assigned homes. Five hundred more are expected tonight and on Thursday early morning trains. Sons of Confederates held a meeting at 8 o'clock tonight at K. of P. Hall.
Commander in Chief McAdams of Dallas and his staff were present. The purpose was to meet and get acquainted will all visiting Sons of Confederates.
All Confederates, Sons and Daughters will assemble at 9 a.m. Thursday at the court house and march to Dellwood Park, where Mayor J.V. Moore and S.P. Pounders will deliver addresses of welcome.
Dallas Morning News, Dallas, Texas
July 29, 1909
MOUNT PLEASANT HOST OF VETERANS
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MEN WHO FOUGHT UNDER STARS AND BARS BEGIN ANNUAL
STATE REUNION
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HISTORIAN MAKES REPORT
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Question of Next Meeting Place Already Being Discussed
At Least Three Towns Candidates.
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Mount Pleasant, Tex., July 29 - The State Confederate reunion opened this morning at 9 0'clock. The early morning trains brought in 500 to 600 visitors, in addition to about 200 who came in yesterday afternoon. As fast as all the visitors arrive, they go to the court house and register, secure badges and are assigned to homes in the city. Nearly every home in Mount Pleasant has been opened for the entertainment of the veterans and their wives.
At an early hour this morning the streets of the city were thronged with people on foot and in wagons and buggies, principally from Titus, Camp, Morris and Franklin Counties. It is estimated two or three thousand are here today from those counties, in addition to several thousand from over the State. A conservative estimate of the number of visitors is five or six thousand.
At 8 a.m. the veterans began to assemble at the court house, and the sons and daughters of the Knights of Pythias Hall, to march to Dellwood Park. An hour later the procession formed from the west side of the court house, headed by the Cadet Corps of the city, in charge of Dr. G.V. Ridley. Next was Dudley W. Jones Camp No. 121 of this city, the Fort Worth Grays in uniform, and about 300 veterans, representing various camps. Following were citizens on foot and horseback, wagons, buggies and other conveyances. Veterans who were too feeble to walk were furnished transportation. The procession was about a mile long.
At the park Rev. N.A. Seale, Chaplin of Dudley W. Jones Camp of Mount Pleasant, made the opening address of welcome on behalf of the camp and the citizens of the county in general. He said in part: "I assure you that no place in Texas accorded you a more hearty and sincere welcome than Mount Pleasant, the metropolis of Northeast Texas. You will find no prettier woman on Texas soil. We have good taters and possums, but you are too early for them; also our big watermelons raised in this county will tempt your appetite. Out fruit crop is practically a failure this year. In inviting you to Mount Pleasant at Wills Point reunion last year I did so at the urgent request of our City Council, Commercial Club and citizens in general. The keys to the homes of our city we turn over to you. Use them at your pleasure and make yourself at home. We are not here to discuss politics, but to mingle as one common people. The white flag of peace has been hoisted in our country and the bitter animosities engendered forty-five years ago are remembered no more."
"I extend to you a most heartfelt and cordial welcome. Our doors are always open. We have no keys to our homes. I don't know of another organization that delights me more to honor and welcome than the veterans, their wives, sons and daughters of Texas. I now welcome you to all privileges. Take advantage of them and enjoy yourself."
The selection of the next place of holding the State reunion is already engaging the attention of the veterans. Marshall, McGregor and Stamford are among the places desiring the meeting, and have delegates here.
Report of Historian
Following is a report of the historian:
Major General K.M. Van Zandt commanding Texas Division United Confederate Veterans at Mount Pleasant, Titus County, July 29, 1909: I have the honor to submit this, my annual report as historian of the division at this, the eighteenth annual reunion of the division.
The Woman's Home once more: The Legislature set Aug. 3 as the time when we are to vote on an amendment to the Constitution authorizing the appropriation of funds sufficient to support the Woman's Home at Austin so generously donated under the auspices of the Daughters of the Confederacy. Its failure to materialize at the two previous efforts was attributed to the fact that the proposition was unfortunately in bad company with others on different subjects not acceptable to the majority, but the persistency with which the people demand that justice shall be done helpless widows equally with that of the veterans in the home argues we may be sure it will carry this time.
The Soldier's Home: I note the report of Comrade John B. Reagan, in charge of the home, to Adjutant General Col. W.T. Shaw, which gives total in the home at 337-deaths for six months in 1909 as eleven, or at the rate of 6 percent, the general condition good and running within the appropriation. He notes also that as the years glide by the veterans are growing feebler and the call for entry there in on the increase.
Pensions: The last Legislature bettered materially the pension law in doing away with the pauper clause and allowing a beneficiary to own not exceeding $1,000 worth of property and an income not to exceeded $150 a year and advances the marriage date of Confederate widows from March 1, 1866, to March 1, 1880. These two clauses will add considerably to the 8,200 pensioners now on the rolls. Our new Pension Commander, Comrade E.A. Holmes, who has so long held the position of chief examiner under the law for 1899, is an excellent choice by the Governor under the law of 1909.
Col. Shaw in his report suggests that our annual reunion date be put off till the later part of August, so as not to conflict with many of the leading camps in their date meeting, which is essential to uniformity in our annual deliberations for the best interests of the aims of our order. Col. Shaw notes an increase in the number of camps at eight, and an encouraging spirit of patriotism is manifest among the rank and file and officers and camps. Gen. Van Zandt in commenting or this approves enthusiasm as an essential, but suggests that we do so by the proper means, and this advancing the date to a time when all the local camp reunions have past so as to get their influence in attendance, the General thinks a point well taken.
Spirit of the South. Before Col. Shaw had informed me of the increased interest the camps of Texas were taking, I had noted it along the line not only in Texas but all over the South, in monument building, and the rivalry of local towns here to make each annual gathering a little better than the one proceeding. Also the last reunion at Memphis as being more intense in Southern chivalric spirit than any previous extending down to the new generation that has arisen since the great conflict. In 1907 we thought Bowie reunion was the limit, but Wills Point last year, an old-time Southern locality, raised Bowie a point or so (if we are permitted to compare), and Comrade Steele of Mount Pleasant carried his place over competitors by his eloquence of what Titus could do when we selected Mount Pleasant last year. The daughters of the State of Texas are a long ways ahead of either the veterans or sons in regular systematic labor for advancing the good of the cause. The daughters in general reunion assembled are equally enthusiastic over the cause that can never be lost-home rule and local government. These two orders are auxiliaries to ours by the express words of our constitution and how wisely is it so ordered that we may not be overwhelmed by spurious literature from an antagonistic press that has done injury to us as people means to keep it up for revenue on.
Why is it that the further we re from the titanic struggle of the the greater grows the Southern to our cause that it may never die the last twenty years I have made subject a study and have gathered manifestation tending to exemplify work from both sides of the line they say is imaginary. Let us go to the Richmond reunion of 1896 and recall the intensity of the Fed Corporal Tanner's appeal to that for the union
Dallas Morning News, Dallas, Texas
August 2, 1909
Mount Pleasant, Tex., Aug 2. - Owing to the heavy traffic during the opening of the State Confederate reunion here the motor car on Red Springs Street railway broke down and has not yet been repaired. The car has a seating capacity of about twenty persons, but as many as sixty crowded on the car and overtaxed its power. A trailer was built to help carry the passengers, but it was not placed in use owing to the breakdown.
