1916- Military Fanfare at Mecklenburg Declaration celebrations

The following articles describe the military fanfare that took place as part of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence celebrations in 1916’s Charlotte, North Carolina.

 The Charlotte News 5/19/1916, p. 15, 5/20/1916, p. 2 and 5/20/1916, p.2

THE MARINE BAND ARRIVED TODAY 5/19/1916, p. 15  

The Marine Band, the crack musical organization for May 20, arrived in the city this morning at 10 o’clock from Washington over the Southern Railway and as the men came up-town by twos and fours, they attracted much attention. The band is in charge of Lieut. T. H. Santelmann, director.  

The official program for the band while in Charlotte includes two concerts, one this afternoon at 3:30 and a second at the same hour Saturday. These concerts will take place at the reviewing stand on North College street, and for seats in the stand a small charge of 25 cents will be made by the committee.  

The band will also play at the military ball at the auditorium this evening, beginning about 9 p.m., and continuing until 1:30 a.m. The band will be furnished meals at the Chamber of Commerce rooms on South Tryon street, the service being in charge of the ladies of St. Elizabeth Guild of the Church of the Holy Comforter.

This band is one of the most noted organizations of musicians in the country, and their concerts will attract large crowds both this afternoon and Saturday.

History of Organization.

The United States Marine band came into existence in 1798, when it consisted of 16 pieces and was started as a drum and fife corps. Since that time it has become the greatest musical organization in Washington connected with Uncle Sam’s affairs. The band has been heard at nearly every inauguration of a president since it was organize, and has furnished music for many state occasions in Washington.

The members are all skilled artists and no man is admitted to membership in this great musical organization today unless he is proficient both as a wind and string instrument performer. The band is thus able to afford a remarkable versatility of program and of musical entertainment.

The band personnel includes representatives of many European countries and its repertoire is none the less varied. Lieut. Santelmann offering in his concerts ever grade of music from the most classic to the latest popular strain, it being his idea that this national institution should appeal to every taste in the musical line.

The band is a remarkable organization, conducted on military principles, and devoting much time each week to practice work by which it maintains a high grade of proficiency.

RICHMOND GRAYS WERE “HIT” OF THE PARADE 5/20/1916, p. 2

The Richmond Grays, the military organization of Richmond, Va., who were in the parade today were accorded an instantaneous and hearty ovation and furnished perhaps the brightest bit of color in the long line. They led the parade and their appearance at the head of the column was the signal for vociferous handclapping and applause.

In the smart gray uniforms, with caps of the model distinguishing the United States infantrymen of the 1812 period, with arms and accouterments spick and span, with every foot moving in unison as they marched and with their generally alert and spectacular appearance they were the hit of the parade.

The company of 192 men was commanded by Major J. Fulmer Bright. The other officers were:

First Lieutenant and Adjutant, Leroy Brown; Major Giles B. Cook, medical officer of the battalion; sergeant major, P. S. Newell; captain, W. A. Stack and Lieutenant L. T. Matthews, of Company B; captain, A. B. Cousins and lieutenant, W. D. Carneal, Company F; captain, J. R. Sheppard, Jr., and lieutenant, F. M. Dunn, of Company C; captain, Harry Howles, and lieutenants, James E. Peters and A. Dellinger, of Company A.

Accompanying the Grays on their tour through the Southern section were Messrs. E. S. Sowers, of the Richmond-Times dispatch and Everett Ewing, of The Richmond Virginian. There will be among the newspaper contingent at the luncheon given visiting representatives of the press at 6 o’clock at the Chamber of Commerce.

The Richmond Grays have been to Birmingham attending the Confederate Veterans’ reunion. They spent Tuesday in Chattanooga, yesterday in Atlanta, today in Charlotte and will leave for home tonight, reaching Richmond tomorrow morning. They were also the hit of the occasion at Birmingham, where they were the object of much admiration. The Richmond Blues, who were also at Birmingham, returned home by way of Asheville.

VIRGINIA VETERANS R. E. LEE CAMP HERE FOR 20TH 5/20/1916, p.2

R. E. Lee Camp, United Confederate Veterans, of Richmond, Va., who have been attending the twenty-sixth annual reunion of the Confederate Veterans at Birmingham, arrived in this city shortly after 9 o’clock this morning on the special train of the Richmond Gray’s battalion, the crack military organization of the Old Dominion.

The veterans spent the entire day in Charlotte, marching in the parade following the veterans of Mecklenburg Camp, and were numerous on the streets of the city this afternoon, while a number of the old soldiers witnessed the sham battle. The party will leave for Richmond tonight at 10:30 o’clock, arriving home shortly after 8 o’clock tomorrow morning.

In the party of Richmond veterans are Major-General J. Thompson Brown, commanding the Army of Northern Virginia, which embraces Maryland, Virginia, North and South Carolina and Eastern Tennessee, and who took a leading part in the business affairs of the veterans at Birmingham, defeating General Julian S. Carr, of Durham, for the position he now holds, which was in the nature of a promotion. Captain John S. Lamb, of Richmond, for many years a member of congress from Virginia, is also in the party.