The McAlester Guardian
November 7, 1929
The following dispatch from Oklahoma City indicates that the proposed reunion of veterans of the contending armies of the Civil War period, as suggested recently by some of the more enthusiastic veterans has finally gone on the rocks.
It says:
A further break in negotiations for a reunion of Civil War forces came today with the rejection by Gen. R. A. Sneed, commander-in-chief of the Confederate Veterans, of a proposal of Edwin J. Foster of Boston, commander-in –chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, for a joint parade providing southern soldiers will march under the stars and stripes without a Confederate flag in the ranks.
“Commander Foster has completely blown himself out of the water with his offer so far as I am concerned,” General Sneed said.
Answers Sneed’s Letter
Sneed received the letter from Foster here today. The Confederate commander said he would take his time in replying, but would tell the G. A. R. chief that the south did not propose to be dictated to.
General Sneed last summer sent a message to the national encampment of the G. A. R. at Portland, Maine, proposing a reunion of the Confederate and Union Veterans. The encampment declined to consider the proposal General Foster, in his letter to Sneed said:
“In regard to the action of the Grand Army of the Republic regarding a reunion of the Blue and the Gray, which has caused so much criticism from our southern friend, I believe such a reunion is possible.
Bars Confederate Flag
“The boys in blue always have been ready to extend the hand of fellowship to our southern friends and never more than now. To the end that a happy result may be obtained, will say I shall be glad to meet you in Washington or Boston, and confer with you on the question of a joint parade.
“So far as I know there can be but one condition which stands in the way of our coming together, and that is for you, as head of your organization, to pledge to us that the stars and bars, or your Confederate flag, shall have no place in the parade, either by any organization or individual, but that you will march under the stars and stripes. With this pledge I have but little doubt that we can arrive at a happy solution of the problem.