Orange County, North Carolina historic information cache - The 1919 Orange County veteran's parade
HOME COMING CELEBRATION IN CHAPEL HILL
by Annie S. Cameron, 1919
 
 
One of the greatest patriotic celebrations ever staged in Chapel Hill took place Saturday, May 10th, 1919, honoring the young and old veterans of the surrounding country. It was a big success. Chapel Hill citizens demonstrated their ability in doing things in this grand celebration. They simply outdid themselves and they deserve the praise they are receiving from all sides. Despite the lowering clouds, which threatened rain early in the day, and kept many families from coming to Chapel Hill, hundreds of people were here, so that when the parade started at 11 o'clock both sides of Franklin and Columbia Streets were lined with men, women and children, representing Orange, Alamance, Chatham and Durham counties, in large numbers joined hands in extending to the old heroes, of which there were about thirty in number, who wore the grey, and the heroes of the world war, who went from this community to camp and battlefield and to other branches of the service, a hearty "Welcome Home."

The parade, which included in the line of march the Confederate Veterans, the overseas and training camp troops, the former S. A. T. C. students, the navy, marine and aviation men, the school children, the Boy Scouts, the flag girls, the Y. M. C. A. and the Red Cross groups, Colonel Joseph Hyde Pratt and his staff, the Daughters of the Confederacy and the Home Guard, marked the opening of the day's celebration.

The parade was followed by appropriate exercises in Memorial Hall, when eloquent addresses paid fitting tribute to old and new soldiers. Splendid speeches were made by Dr. Archibald Henderson, Major L. P. McLendon, and Colonel Joseph Hyde Pratt. The spacious hall was filled to overflowing, which is to say that over 2,000 crowded in. Major William Cain presided.

An elaborate spread was served to the overseas and training camp men, speakers and guests following the speech-making program. The local Daughters of the Confederacy were mainly responsible for the huge success accorded the occasion, although all Chapel Hill organizations co-operated in a splendid manner. Dr. A. H. Patterson, chief marshal, was chairman of the program committee.

The parade, which began at 11 o'clock, was divided into three divisions, Lieut. E. R. Rankin was marshal of the first division, which included the band under the direction of L. F. Parker, the members of the U.D.C., the flag girls, under Miss Schell, the Civil War veterans in autos, and the school children. The second division of which Lieut. F. W. Morrison was marshal, was composed of the Red Cross and Y. M. C. A. groups, the Home Guard, the march of the allies, the Boy Scouts, and the flower girls.

Lieut. A. B. Sims was marshal for the third division, which included Col. Pratt and his staff; the overseas troops under the command of Lieut. H. A. Whitfield; the troops from the training camps under the command of Lieut. R. F. Moseley; the naval contingent under the command of Ensign Grady Pritchard; the aviation and marine contingents, the color companies; the service flag bearers, and the speakers for the memorial exercises.

Colonel Pratt served in the capacity of general of the divisions. First Lieut. Graham Ramsey acted as colonel of the regiment, which First Lieut. Bruce Webb served as major of the University battalion. In Colonel Pratt's staff were Major P. H. Winston, First Lieut. Thorndike Savillo, and all unattached second lieutenants and other commissioned officers.

Chapel Hill was bedecked in gala attire for the occasion. National and Confederate flags and "Welcome Home" banners were stretched across the streets at close intervals. The stores were also prettily decorated. The automobiles and other floats were a blaze of color.

Major William Cain, one of the best and most favorably known Confederate veterans in these parts, presided over the exercises in Memorial Hall, which were opened by invocation by Rev. E. L. Baskin, formerly chaplain in the army. Major Cain, in opening the exercises and introducing the speakers who were to follow, praised in highest terms the undaunted spirit of the North Carolina troops, "who like crusaders have battled in a just cause and returned covered with glory and honor". The 30th Division, he pointed out, which won immortal distinction, was composed largely of North Carolina troops. He voiced the welcome of the community in having the boys back again from the training camps and battle scarred fields of France.

Dr. Archibald Henderson, himself the son of a Confederate veteran, was the next speaker on the program. He declared that the traditions of the '60s is today enhanced and enriched by the legacy of 1917 and 1918. "Today," he said, "in the same breath we celebrate a lost and won cause. But," he said, turning to the veterans, "your glory is enhanced rather than dampened by your participation in a lost cause, for you won imperishable fame which is secure." He referred to the military leaders of the Confederacy as some of the greatest the world has ever known, citing instances where European commanders in the past war have declared that the strategies of Lee, Jackson and Forrest were unsurpassed. He paid a high tribute to the valorous troops who broke the unbreakable Hindenburg line and praised their unmeasured courage and devotion.

Professor George M. McKie read a list of the Chapel Hill and University students who have made the supreme sacrifice, and paid a tribute to the dead heroes.

Major L. P. McLendon, of Durham, who commanded Battery C. of the 115th Artillery, which was composed of many Chapel Hill boys, expressed the happiness of the men in returning home from France and their appreciation of the welcome accorded them by people everywhere and especially at home. He paid a high tribute to the late Charles B. Wills, a Chapel Hill boy who made the supreme sacrifice in France. He declared that the best two good results of the war were the abandonment of the selfish doctrine of localism and seclusion, and the revival of patriotism which apparently was on the wane.

Colonel Joseph Hyde Pratt, who commanded the 105th Engineers, after expressing the appreciation for the reception accorded the soldiers, declared that the men never realized that America could be appreciated so much until they returned. He gave unstinted praise to the enlisted men, who at all times and under all circumstances did their work willingly. The fullest co-operation was maintained between the officers and privates, he said. He also took occasion to pay a glowing tribute to the American navy, declaring that no navy has ever accomplished such a tremendous piece of work in such a short while as the American navy during the war.

A benediction by Rev. E. L. Baskin concluded the services.
 
 
Source:

Cameron, Annie S. A Record of the War Activities in Orange County, North Carolina, 1917-1919.