The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1866-08-13
EDITORIAL. CORREsPoN DRNCE
The Lee MemOrial-MOnument to the
Memory OF Annie Carter Lee.
.I JoNEs's SPRINGS,
Warren Co., Aug. 9, 1865.
THE MEMORIAL CEREMONIES.

THE MEMORIAL CEREMONIES. FsIl
The eighth of August was the day named
by the committee of arrangements for the
completion of the monument which now lifts
itself above the remains of ANNIE CARTER
LEE. ~ ..s ~ '.' =, t's1 q " .
Before the ceremonials Of the day began, |
cantered over to view the spot, held in such
tender reverence by us all. My way lay
throughaa pine forest, whose growth gradual
ly gave place to breadth oil lordly oaks.
Here and there several brooks, like silver
threads, crossed the road, which, gently undu-
lating at last opens upon the crest of bold
ridge. On emerging from the woods, con-
fsss that was surprised at the sight be-
held. In the centre of this broad plateau,
which has been cleared for the space of sew
eral acres and carefully rolled until its grassy
slopes are almost lawn-like, clump of stately
trees rises, spreading their great arms like
priests in benediction over the quiet burial
ground, which was yesterday consecrated by
blessings from a multitude of reverential
hearts. E..
,iof a...l Ii. ICONS ACRE" -
The grave yard is paraHelogram seventy
one by fifty feet in extent, and is inclosed by
an iron-railing, firmly set in granite stills, sup
ported by granite columns, at once strong,
tasteful and simple. Here found group
ofcountry gentlemen, masons and field hands,
engaged in the final preparations. Various
teams were busy dragging great branches Of
pines over the road and sward; and l was
particularly struck by the profound silence
which reigned over the scene Even the faces
of the negroes wore an expression Of gravity
and decorum.7 Here dismounted and was
received by JOSEPH s.. JONES, Esquire, who
must pardon me if l venture to give him a
prominence which may pain his modesty.
My apology for this, as indeed, for my general
treatment of the subject, is found in the fact
that the ceremonials of yesterday have be-
come part of our domestic history; and
hence | feel authorized to speak of private
individuals with a freedom which, under
ether circumstances would not be justified.
Two years ago Mr.. JONES, in whose ancestral
grave yard the monument now rises, con-
ceivsd the idea Of its erection, The first step
was to obtain a competent mason to do the
work and at that date, in the very agony of
the Confederacy's struggle, this was no easy
task There was one man whom he might
obtain, and he determined to make the effort.
The stone-mason whose services he desired to
secure, was an invalid soldier of the 46th
North Carolina Infantry, and there is a story
which he tells himself with touching sim
plicity that illustrates one of General LEES
noble traits Of character, and it may, there
fore, fairly claim place here. 1t has its his
toric worth, as will be seen. a1i sbiiaz !
1 ZERRAL CRowDER was broken-down soldier.
Unfit for active service, he was detailed as
light duty man, and failing daily in health
he wrote to General LEE himself, asking in
structions as to the proper mode to pursue in
order to have his application for discharge
acted on by the War Department In reply
he received a letter of minute instructions,
with a line or two of kind and cheering
words at the bottom of the page in the Gen.
erals autograph. This paper he preserves
with pious care, and he cherishes it as pre-
eious evidence of the tender sympathy which
our great Captain felt for the humblest of his
followers, 4e,f,f,at7, ,l4a
In the meantime, however, Mr.. JONES APP
piled to General BRAGG for the detail of the
sick soldier, which was at once granted by
that officer, in consideration Of the reason as
signed IN the application of Mr.. JONES. Dis
charged from the army, and with health part
~ re established, the grateful mason began
his labors, the results of of which saw before
me- ~ N,i' 'Hit .s7A so 3ehGa4s
5Ahl ~ THE LETTERS. f
BY the time the monument was completed,
the fame of the enterprise had gone abroad,
and the limits originally set by the managers
to the conservation ceremonies, expanded day
by day, in obedience to the wishes of the SYM
patheticpublic i 5s4 sHi4) y tiit hash
The narrow circle Of those originally in
vlted was gradually enlarged, and have now
before me mass of letters which would be
OF priceless value to an autograph hunter
Among these / have the invitation from the
ladies to General LEE, from which | venture
to extract beautiful passage congratulating
him on the escape of his sons and himself
from the perils Of battle and disease. 1t
&. runs as follows: ~ ipa4F 90. :. =! nsl'- o ~
.-." Through the kindness and mercy of our
q Heavenly Father your gallant sons fought the
good hight even to the end, and You were
spared amid the shock of battle and its horrid
carnage for four leng years. Spared to us, a
grateful people, who feel linked to yousin the
closest ties of friendship, and the closest bonds
of sympathy. k0fWll AZ ~ ~
ssi We cannot honor you with too deep rev.
erence, nor love you with an affection toe
pure and fsrvent.a You have a home in
every heart, welcome in every household
and the whisper of your name echoes a
Thousand blessings upon you and yours" a.. ~,
In this the sweet and noble-hearted women
OF Warren county have justly set forth the
sentiments of our entire people; and even al
their eloquent words have given utterance tt
the feelings of the eleven Boadiceas Of the
south, so did their act of tender homage t.
I the dead confirm their warms and affeetionat,
sympathy expressed for the living epss
field up General LEES letter. noble il
manly simplicity and christian trust, with 1
reverence which all will understand, and s.