Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-06-29
Among All who Fought During the Civil
War on Either Side, Robert E. Lee,
COmmemOrated
By a Statue by Valentine, firgiHia's
Noted Artist-A Great Gathering or
IllustriOus Soldiers at
Lexington, Va, Yesterday, When the
Statue was Unyeiled-Oration by Maj.
DanieI-DeseriptiOn of
The Last Resting Place Of the Great
Captain and OF the Statue-Sketch
Of Edward v. Valentine.
Special To the Appeal

Special To the Appeal
LExIseToN, VA, June 28.-Valentine's
statue Of Gen. Lee was unveiled
here to-day with imposing ceremonies IN the
presence of an immense gathering Of people
from Richmond, Washington, Baltimore,
phis, and other cities, together with
men, women and children from all the eur
country. Gen. Jubsl A. Early
presided, Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, president
of the Lee Memorial Society, being unsvoid
ably absent. The ceremonies Of the unwilling
were preceded by the decoration OF the graves
OF Lee and Jackson, which occupied one
hour, from $50 to 1870 o'clock am. At II
o'clock the religious ceremonies, conducted
by the Rev. DIR. McBryde, pastor OF the Lee
Memorial church, in the absence of Bishop
William Pinkney, of Washington, were
held IN the beautiful college chapel,
which was built from plans furnished by
Gen. Lee and under his direction. The little
chapel was crowded by distinguished audi.
encs. Among others present were Gen. q.
w. GUSTS Lee, the president and Faculty
Of Washington and Lee University, the
president and Faculty of the Virginia
Military Institute, Maj Gen. Fiizhugh
Lee, commander of the Virginia militis,
Edward " Valentine, the sculptor, ]. Craw-
ford Nelson, the architect of the mortuary
chapel, Mrs. Margaret J. Preston, the
Virginia poetess, Mrs. StOnewall Jack
son and her daughter Juiis, Gen.
Wade Hampton, chief marshal; Brig
Gen. Terry, Gen. r. d. Lilly, the Hon.
Clifton R. Breckenridge, Of Arkansas; the
Hon. john c. Calhoun, jr., Of South Caro-
lima; the Rev. DR.. Pratt, of Louisville; the
Rev. DR.. E. d. Jenkins, of Texas; W. w.
Corcorau, of Washington, and many Others.
The Hon. w. A. Anderson and Judge
Mclaughlin were chief of the Commit
tee of Arrangements. AT the close
of the religious exercises, Maj. John w.
Daniel, the eloquent Virgioia orator, deliv-
cred a splendid Grafton, during which he
paid glowing tribute to Gen. Lee as sol
der and Christian gentleman. AS pure as
BAyard, as courlly az Sidney, as brave as
less when he laid it down It Apron attox as
when it was first belted around his waist at
West Point. The orator spoke for an hour
and forty-6ve minutes, snd was listened to
with breathless attention, the audience at
times being fairly carried away by some of
his highest flights of eloquenee Many per-
sons who have heard Maj Daniel on vari-
GUS occasions of great public interest, de-
clared bis Grafton to-day the mos. brilliant
effort of his life. The statue WIS unveiled
by Mrs. Edward V. Valentine, wife OF
the sculptor. AT 2 o'clock 10 The alter.
noon a salute of honor was fred by q
section Of the RockbrIdge Artillery, and
the mausoleum was thrown open to the pub.
lie 10 view the monument. Everyone was
highly pleased with the statue, and Mr.. Val.
eptine was warmly congratulated upon the
successes of his great work.
HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF THE STATUE.
Ga the day OF Gen. Lees funeral, his old
companions in arms, who had asse mbItd al
Lexington TO pay the last tribute of respect
to their beloved chieftain, organized Lee
Memorial Association, with Gen. Jos. E
Johnston as president, for the purpose Of
erecting an enduring monument ever his
grave. A committee was appointed, who
waited upon Mrs. Lee 10 ascertain her wishes
In the matter. She decided upon a recum-
bent statue, and requested that Edward V.
Valentine, the Virginia sculptor, should be
selected to do the work. Mr.. Valentine had
few months before the death of Gen. Lee,
made portrait-bust from life, which was a
striking likeness. The sculptor visited Lex
ingion, and, after consultation with Mrs Lee
it WAS determined 10 adopt as a model for
the proposed monument Rauch's recumbent
figure Of Louise of Prussis, in the M usoleum
at Charlottenbourg. The figure of Gen. Lee
cut from single block of perfect marble, ID
laIg-r than life, and rests upon heavily
draped couch, the head slightly elevated
with the face turned somewhat TO the right
The feet are crossed, the right arm lies upon
his breast, the left arm is extendsd along the
couch, the hand OF which slightly touche:
his sword. 1t is conceded by all that the
portrait is true to life, and the statue is mos
harmonious in all it's detail. The attitude
is not that OF death, but Of absolute rspose The
most casual observer will be impressed with
the idea hat the whole work is q re m arkabl
triumph of artistic skill, and is noble real
izstion of creative genius. Il is the largest
piece OF marble work ever executed BY an
Ame ricau artist, and will place the name OF
Valentine 10 the front rank of native sculp.-
ors. Mr.. S. Teskle Wallis gave the following
beautiful description of the status in an ad.
dress before the Academy of Music, Balti
more: "The hero is lying in bis uniform, a,
if asleeP, upon his narrow soldiers led. One
hand is on his bosom, and touches, uncon.
sciously and gentle, the drspery of hit
COUCH The other is lying by his side,
where it has fallen. aud res's upon his
sword. The portraiture is perfec', no less SIS
% form than feature. The whole expression
is that of tranquil and absolute repose-the
rspose OF physical power, mistaken though
dormant-of manly grace most graceful
when at rest-of nJbe faculties alive and
sovereign, though still"
THE LAST RESTING PLACE OF LEE.
Adjoining the college chapel, where the
principal cnies took place, is a chan
eel designed by Mr.. J. Crawford Nelson, the
well known Baltimore architect. The chan
eel ia about twenty two feet wide and thirty.
four feet deep; owing to the fall of the
ground it became two stories in hight. The
lower story is row occupied by massive
stone vault, containing the remains of Gen.
and Mr.. Lee and Miss Agnes Lee. Ii opens
on a yestibule which gives access 10 the vault.
The second story cont aims similar vesti.
bule opening on the church and leading
through an arch into the monument cham
Der which is closed by m sssive iron doors.
The chamber is built principally Of cream
coloTedSbndisna limestone, divided by balus-
trades of Baltimore pressed brick, with yer.
million joists. The floor is marble, the CELL
ing Is of glass resting on richly nodded iron
frames. 1t il intended to place on the free
stone panels such records OF Gsn. Lees fam.
lily rs NAV be deemed appropriate The
large panel over the statue has been re-
servrd for personal mention OF Gen. Lee
himself. The only inscription it bears at
present ia the following.