Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-12-08
Che Late Professor Washington.

The following tribute to the memory Of the
late Professor w. D. Washington. ieelingly
expresses the loss which the Institute and his
native State, Virginia, have sustained 10 his
early death -
SUPERINTENDENT OFFICE,
VIRGINIA, MILITARY INSTITUTE.
December I'd, 1870.
The Academic Board met at the call OF the
Superintendent Present--all except Commo
dore M. +. Maury.
The Superintendent announced the death OF
Colonel w. D. Washington. Professor Of Fine
ARTS of the Virginia Military Institute; where.
upon, the following minute was unanimously
adopted and ordered to bo spread upon the re
cords Of tho Academic Board:
Resolved, That it is with feelings Of pecu-
liar solemnity that we record upon our minutes
the first death, by natural causes. occurring in
the professional corps of the Virginia Military
Institute. since its establishment in 1889.
The last added to our number has beon the
FIRST thus removed.
We recall to mind with sorrowiul tenderness
his genius, his accomp mpishmeuts, his sensibil-
ity, his high toned principles, and the purity
and dellcacy of his nature, constantly manifest.
ed in his intercourse with his brother officers
BY nature he was fitted for art, and to the
cultivation of it he gave himself with uureserv-
ed love and assiduity.
The gallery of this Institute is adorned by
his labors with works, to Us, of i2estimable
value, and we mourn when we consider how
much is left undone of what he purposed to do
for the institution to which he belonged, and
Tor his native State, Virginia.
In the midst OF his labors he has been called
away, and in tho prime of life. His works
will survive him, and with pride and with sor.
row his memory will be cherished by US all.
Colonel Washington was born in Loudoun
county, Virginia, on the 7th October, 1885,
He early manifested his taste for art, and
when quite young man, was draughtsman 10
the United States Patent Office, Washington,
where he laid the foundation of those studies
which he subsequently prosecuted iD the best
schools Of art in Europe.
During the late civil war he served on the
staff Of General Floyd, and took advantage Of
this period of duty in the mountains of Virgin.
10, to make those sketches Of mountain scene
ry which he afterwards put upon canvass. His
ing the greater period of the war, and in this
interval. besides many smaller pieces, he paint
ed the more elaborate works, THE Burial of
Latane'' and jackson Entering Winchester"
At the close of the war he established his
studio in New York, and in July, 1869, was
called to the Vireinia Military Institute Us
Professor of Fine Arts, ard was more specially
occupied in painting the portraits OF the alum
nj of the Virginia Military Institute who fell
during ths war. His taste soon gave form to
the "Corcoran Gallery of Art of the Virginia
Military Institute and the walls of this gallery
are now ornamented with the portraits of Gen.
eral R. Z. Lee, General T. j. Jackson, Gen.
r. E. Rodes, Gen. Sam. Garland Col! 5.
Crutchfed, Col. George s. Patton, Col. w.
r.. Patton, COL j. w. Allen, Col. J. r
Strange. Captain j. O. Mari, Major j. w.
Latimer 1.-THE boy maior), MajorJ. Cheneworth
and Captain G. G.. Otey.
Some of his finest small pieces arc landscapes
taken 10 the neighborhood of the Institute,
one of which, the Snow Scene" and another
scene near the Natural Bridge, are specially
beautiful works of art Tenuyson's poems fnd
striking illustrations in his Maud, u Elaine"
and LADY Clare" while be had just put into
form study of an historic painting commemo,
rative of the work of the Faculty OF the Virgin
ia Military Institute, in the restoration OF the
Institute, when death closed his labors on the
evening of the 1st Of December. 1870.
Resolved. That in token OF our sorrow aud
our respect We wear the accustomed badge Of
mourning for six months.
A true copy from tine records OF tho AGA
demic Board.
Signed, FRANCIS II. SMITH, JR.,
Secretary.