1916 Reunion of the United Confederate Veterans
The 1916 Reunion of the United Confederate Veterans was a city-wide event to honor the service of Confederate veterans of the Civil War. Thousands of veterans came to the city from Tuesday May 16 to Thursday May 18 to reminisce, enjoy planned entertainments and be feted by the citizens of Birmingham.
Five thousand cots were loaned to the city by the federal government and placed indoors at the Alabama State Fairgrounds to house visitors. A commissary was provided to serve meals to guests and daily concerts were performed nearby. A mock battle was portrayed by a company of the Alabama National Guard against another company from Fort Worth, Texas. General Charles W. Hooper led a short parade featuring fifteen bands and large groups of school children serenading the soldiers with patriotic songs and waving Confederate flags. Irvin Cobb delivered the principal address.
The reunion headquarters was housed in the Chamber of Commerce Building with general sessions in the Bijou Theater. General Young of the UCV and his party stayed at the Tutwiler Hotel. Miss Gladys Kernan of New Orleans was appointed "Sponsor for the South" for the event.