Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1873-05-20
LETTER FROM RICHMOND.
RICHMOND. VA,
80 Nn-O

May, 10, 1910.
DEAR NEWS:
Whilst I'm unskilled in the use
of the pen, and destitute of that ready
love so essential 10 the gifted writer,
fiatter myself that l can give items Of
every day occurrence. sufficiently
lucid to be understood by the general
reader. ] have been promising myself
for some time to give you an item or so
for your valuable paper but circum-
stances have continually TRANSFERRED
To prevent my doing so until the pres
eut time. l arrived here just short
time before the sine die of our Legis-
lature and consequently cannot tell
you anything in relation to that body
but what you already know. / did
not have the pleasure of meeting with
your Representative, Col. Fulkerson,
but am most happy to inform you that
he acquitted himself like man
worthy of such people. AS / don't
propose to elect myself a judge of the
differential importance OF newspaper
items, you will please enioiu this pro-
duction should it fail to come up TO
your standard. My items. two in
number, are real and legendary. You
tai Church here, its worthy minister
aud fine choir. You have often heard
Of ministerial rebukes. some of which
you have loudly applauded and strict
| ~ condemned, some of them coarse
and vulgar, and others again richly
and elegantly dressed in the elequence
OF christian thought and admonitlOn.
I'm happy to say it has fallen to my
/ lot TO report one of the most whitening,
yet the mellowest and most fragrant
one ever uttered by the lips of man.
! 1t may be characterised an Episcopal
rebuke, as did that writer prove his
! church when he spoke of "Old Oceans
Grand TIE Deum." Upon certain Oc-
casion at the Monumental Church af-
| ter its magnificent choir had discOurs-
! ed some of its sweetest music and just
! as the Holy Book was opened for ser
mon, some thoughtless persons dis
! turbed the minister, the Rev. DR..
Woodbridge, by going out. He paused
a moment and casting his eyes toward
! the disturbers of solemity, in q mild
musical voice uttered the words ::
The Lord is in his holy temple let
all the earth keep silence before him. "
You can we'll imagine, dear reader, the
effect of these familiar words upon
! an Episcopal audience.
Quite q sensation has been going the
rounds of the newspaper press in rela-
ton to a speech recently made by
Gen'l Pendeton, in Mobile, arraigning
Gen'l Longtreet as the one responsible
for our defeat at Gettysburg. Pm to-
tally ignorant of the facts IN the case,
hut will suppose they are true until re-
hutting testimony is brought forward.
This severe censure upon this dlstin-
guished General coming at such late
date, reminds me of a report, in clrcu-
laiion during the war censuring GenI
Robt. L. Lee for not DISCRIMINATING the
enemy at Fredericksburg and thus ter
miuating the war. I'll call this the
Legend of the battle of Fredericksburg.
After the glorious victory of our sol
diers in that battle, and the perfectly
demoraliZed condition of the enemy,
the affrighted fellows clingiug to the
banks of the river ana concealed in
every nook and corner of the town.
Gen'l Lee called council of war to
decide their fate. During the session
OF the council, Gen. Jackson was very
quiet, nor was he consulted until the
last one had expressed his opinion, all
of them agreeing that the enemy had
been sufficiently chastised. Gen1
Lee now turned his attention TO GenD
Jackson. asking him for an expression
Of opinion, expecting of course, con-
currence, but to his surprise he found
an independent mind inactiun. Upon being
requested to express his opinion, he simply
replied, Push them! push them y Gen.
Lee wanted to know what he meant by push
ing them, aud asked that plan of attack he
suggested. He with rapid thought, gave his
view in concise form. {" would, sir" says
he, concentrate my entire artillery upon
the enemy, dress my Infantry and Cavalry
in white cotton shirts and drawers, move
them up under ccyGr Of darkness MS near tie
enemy as possible, open the Artillery fire for
20 minutes upon one point and as the firing
ceased, charged the eremy, and bayonet and
sabre every man not in white uniform. My
word for il, You viii terminate the war"
But saws Gen. Lee, - this would he inhuman
and at too great a sacrifice of life" GENT
jackson ezcitedly replied, :" | hope cir,
have MS much humanity as you" Gen'l
Lee finding him considerably excited, says
I'll telegraph Mr.. Davis and turn the COM
mand over to you to decide the fate Of the
enemy" and continued Geu1 Lee, "Im
afraid, dear Gen'l, you have misconstrued
my meaning; accept my hand as an assu-
rance eff brotherly love AID unintentional
wrong" Gen'l Jackson extended his hand
rs an acceptance of kind feeling and repl ed
= we have gained great victory over our
feelings. | must decline, however, accept
ing your command in any other light than
one of your Leutenants."
Hoping much charity, I'm
RUPERT OF B0TEToURT.