Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1870-02-04
LEXINGTON IN TIE VALLEY.

It was q dull morning, threatening rain,
when I got up and went ont to have my
first look at Lexington. There was an air
of greater quietness about the place than is
common in American towns. The stores
on both sides of the long muddy street
were all open-had probably been SO since
seven in the morning, for the Americans
are early risers; but there were very few
people ont on the rude pavement, and on
ly one conveyance two horse wagon,
that stood beside hitohing post.
Turning up a little side walk on the left,
I found myself almost Immediately out of
the town, and got view of the suburbs,
them, 1.-THE outsquirts. " Seeing public
building with long Grecian facade on the
rising ground in front, I accosted q young
man who was turning in by the wicket that
led up to it, and asked him what it was.
He said, Washington College" He
must have seen that I was a stranger, and
OWNED what would interest me, for he di-
rected my attention to a large white house,
with pillars and trees, at the end of the
College, and said it was the house of Gen
eral Lee.
On round and separate eminence, quar-
ter of mile beyond, stood another large
building, partly in ruins, which the youth
told me was the institute in which Stone
wall Jackson had taught. He pointed out
the particular window of Jackson's old class
room, and the door below by which he
used to enter. The institute had been
burnt in '65 by the Union troops, but was
being rebuilt.
MY FIRST INTERVIEW WITH LEE.
When I got back to the hotel [ found
that Lee, who was aware of my coming,
had already with the courtesy SO conspic-
uous amongst class of Americans sent
fn - ha6 nd
to say that he would like to see me at the
College.
On going there after breakfast was
taken up stairs and shown into the room
set aside for the use of the College Presi-
dent.
A noble looking man, dressed in grey
military coat, who had been writing at a
table near the window, rose as / entered.
He was tall, straight, and soldier-like; with
crisp hair turning white short-trimmed
beard, pointed at the chin and dark i'm
perial looking eyes, very keen and search
ing. It was Robert E. Lee-the old Con
federate commander.
AS the first words of greeting passed be-
tween us there was hidden sadness in his
look which impressed me painfully. He
was suffering from ill-health at the time
but it was not look of physical PAIN
Perhaps it was only my own feeling, but it
seemed as if the shadow of the past was
over him-as if you could read behind the
vigilance OF his dark eyes the fate of the
South and of the myriad who lay sleeping
on the silent battle-ields.
When was seated he began to inquire
where had been in the South, and about
my Journey up-smilling at the somewhat
doleful account I had to give him of my
experience in the stage from Goshen. He
said there was another road I might have
taken-the one from Staunton "but they
say whichever road you take you wish by
that you had taken the other" He had
been twice by the Goshen road on horse
back. The scenery was very grand.
He began to speak about Scotland, and
said 'You will meet with many of your
countrymen here. The Valley of Virginia
is peopled with Scotch-Irish- who
have come from Scotland by way o. Ire
land. They are fine race. They have
the courage and determination OF the