The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-07-03
Lexington, vs.-The Virginia Mii'e. snsel-
tute-washington C"iiege-een.
J.n..,o. D.vts-ssouewa j .ck sons TOMB


A CORRESPONDENT Of the New York Post, says;
Approacbpe Lexington the scenery becomes
exceedingly attractive The river-wnicn IL uIF
lized as q canal-winds In the most romanuc mau-
ner. the rocks and Hills are disposed IN pro-
uresque variety, the trees on the shore are snse
with melodious birds, and wild flowers IN iuxurlans
profusiOn diversity the banks. turn more SUD
den than the others brings into view noble $50
lated hill known as the House Mountain; ana APP
parenty at its base. though really several mies IN
advance, are teen the church spires OF Lexington,
with the Virgins Military Institute, large and
striking cssiellsted edidee, in the foreground.
The main street OF Lexington is bosdered oy
closely set houses IN the city style, ana mter-
sected by cross avenues which lea1 out anoog tne
rolling Hills and the green fields. Many OF the
dwellings, beai an aspect OF respectable anuqni'y'
aud the entire place wears stylish ar, as oe-
comes the seat Of two important conegiste lnsu-
tutioDs- the Virginia Military Institute ana wssn,
ington College. Over the former presdes one
General Smith. who has filed the position Tor
many years. though he took no prominent part IN
the late war. This institute was burned by Gen.
Hunter, and s but partially rebuilt; OF course
Hunter il any thing but popular in Lexington, or,
indeed, anyw here in Virginia. Before the insti-
tute stands tire statue of Washington which Hun
ter captured and conveyed TO the national capital,
but which has since been restored to lite old posi-
On the outskirts of the town stands stately
oid.fasbioned structure, with ample porches and
long rows of heavy white pillars. IL Is washing
q.
Robert E. Lee, and formerly under that OF Rev.
DT. JuDkin. who died not long ago In PhIladel-
phia. Lees reputation has done very much TO
enhance that OF the college, and the list OF stu
dents has vastly increased since he has had the
Management OF the institution. new and con-
modi0us chapel has just been built, and other i'm
| pIoyemeBts made, though the class rooms are 10
a state of shabby d'lspidation. Near the college
| a spacious residence Is building for the military
president, whose salary. by the way, Is $4,000.
They say that Gen. Lee devotes all his thoughts
and energies to the duties Of his new position;
but il must be difficult for man Of his undoubted
| abilities and great ambiton-one who PROBABLY
| thought himself the Washington Of the new dis
| pensaiion-to be cODtented in this narrow sphere
| of duty. President Lee, IN q citzen's dress of
| grsy listening TO a dozen youths reading hest
tatingly from q Spanish grammar, seems but
| lame and impotent conclusion to Gen. Lee, TO-
wards whom but few years ago the eyes OF the
world were turned. Personally he Is iine look
| ing man courteous and dignlhed, and older than
| his portraits would imply. Talking about pOr-
traits, ViTginlan artist, whose name escapes me-
has Just completed a half.length picture of Lee,
| which has considerable merit, and will probably
be taken North to be engraved. Gen. Lee IS
| CONNIE Ddably retcent on political matters, and
] whaiever interest he may yet feel 10 national
| sffairs he KEEPS his opinions TO himself.
| Lexington seems ambitious 70 identify itself
| fully with the fallen Coniederacy, and hopes to
have Jefferson DAVIS for one OF It's citizens,
suitable residence is to be built for him 10 beau
| Hiul lOcHINl ON Tue tioc VI tho boWu OppOniNO W
the Washington College. Thus In this little town
the two prominent rebels of the age can meet aud
fight their battles DER again In the quiet repose
which BELTS their advancing years. However
much we may depreca,e the course of these two
| men, and the ambi ious cause To which they sacr-
| feed every thing. II is impossible not 70 respect
| the feeling which induces the people OF Lexing-
ton to offer them both an asylum. Ia the case Of
Davis this feeling is more 70 be remarked. because
he is not popular like Lee. To Davis and his poll
| lev many all over the South attribute the fail
ufe OF the rsbeii n, while they claim that the
Southern Confederaey would have been success
had Lee filed the presidential chair.
In the cemetery at Lexington lie the remains oil
StonewaIl Jackson, the spot marked by an unpre.
tending marble SLAB. on which Is simply inscribed
his name, without date or other inscription what
ever Faded flowers lie in profusion over the
mound, placed there on the day tha' the soldiers
graves we're thus decorated 10 May last. Near oJ
are the graves of other men who fell In the futile
nttempt TO establish Southern confederacy-
prvates and offcers-the sod above them strewf
with decayipR wTeaths. Stone wall Jackson va:
al one time tutor in the military institute IN thu
place, and was Familiarity known a tue I" dull pro
fessor.n In his bios raphy by Mr. Dabney it i
stated that in his last moments he was aske(
where be would like 70 be buried. He made NJ
reply and some one standing by Inquired, " Lex
ipetop 20 He gave motion of mere assent rathe
than Of any absolute preference. There exist
to-day in Lexington sunday school tor colOreC
children Instituted by st0nesall Jackson wheI
{ he was a president of Lexington.
This town-which Is quite shrine OF Coniede
rate nemories-is one OF the nearest points to tn
famous Natural Bridge.