Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-05-30

THE ss,h ON THE ROAD.
THE 2ah NEW YORK AT THE
GRATES OF LEE AND
JACKSON,

Ora YES OF LEE AND
JACKSON.
THE RECEPTION AT LEXINGTON-DECoR
ATlNa OUR HEROES GRAYEs-vIsIT TO
NATURAL BRIDGE.
&C.. &C., sc.
reported for the STANTON VINDICAToR.]
The soldiers of the 2Sth n. Y. Regl-
ment, accompanied by their guests and
many Stauntonians, left the B. u o. depot
Friday morning on special ira in for Lex
ington and the Natural Bridge. The train
of seven cars was crowded and the weather
oppressively hot. The good will and hearty
welcome showed in Stanton, seemed to
stir the pride of the citizens all up the
Valley, and though only few hours no
tice had been given along the line; at
every station enthusiastic crowds had
gathered to greet their Northern guests.
At Greenville and Raphine quite crowd
had assembled and. to show the sincerity
of their welcome, had brought quantities
of elegantly arranged bouquets for dis
tribution; some were marked for promi-
nent ladies and gentlemen, but many re-
manned for general distribution. On these
occasions, the hearty and jolly Col. Brown,
of the 2Sth, would call the boys in line and
give three whooping cheers. and then The
train would move off amid the waving of
handkerchiefs and the small boys yell.
At LEXINGTON
the excursionists were greeted with great
enthusiasm. A large number of citizens
had accompanied the cadets of the Vir-
ginia Military Institute, who marched in
two companies to the station, headed by
their band. which played "Yankee
Doodle" and "Dixie" amid great cheer
ing.
The citizens committee of reception
escorted the visitors in procession through
the streets and on to the college campus,
where an elegant luncheon was spread on
tables beneath the shade. Sandwiches,
iced lemonade, and beer, were profusedly
served to the hungry guests. On the large
grounds of the Military Institute, the
cadets exhibited even more than their
usual skill in drill. Their graceful move
ments and manual made even the old SOL
diers wonder.
JACKsON'S WAR HORSE,
among other relics of the past, was ex-
hibited. The old battle-scarred horse, of
nearly thirty years, decorated with flowers
and evergreens, stood under a tree.
Many of the old soldiers showed a great
interest in her and were frequently OBJ
served to pull hair from her name or tail,
which was carefully placed in their memo
randum books or twisted around their
coat buttons.
The old Military Institute, which had
been burned many years ago by Gen.
Hunters Cavalry Corps, has not yet re-
covered from the fire, and its SCARED and
dingy walls we're pointed out to the visi~
tors, who seemed interested in the fact
that steven hundred gallant officers of the
Confederate army came from within its
walls.
THE GRAVES OF LEE AND JACKSON.
The order of "break ranks" must have
been given here, for the procession broke
up and every one walked around tie bis
own satisfaction, though by general con-
sent they all filed through the chapel and
around che recumbent statue of Gen. Lee.
A wreath of flowers was placed at the foot
of the vault, by one of the 2sth, who did
so in behalf of his comrades.
The plain grave of StonewaH Jackson,
in the town cemetery, was on this occa-
sion somewhat decorated. In each of the
four corners Of the iron railing surround
ing 1t, were suitable. tributes''to his mem
DRY. written on plain white cards bordered
with svergreens and supported by two
crossed sabres. A large flag bearing the
Virginia coat of arms foated above the
tombstone. When the crowd bad assem-
bled Judge smith, of New York, made
some very appropriate remarks and placed
flowers and a cross on the green mound.
Before the train left the cadets had re-
turned to bid farewell to the visitors, and
Col. W. A. Andersen, member of the
State Legislature, gave short address,
welcoming the 2Sth in most appropriate
words. TO this, Col. E. F. Brown re-
piled, thanking the people for their gen.
erous hospitality and wound up by calling
upon ''the boys" for three cheers for the
people Of Lexington. and then added:
mo, give them niue; three is not half
enough So, the nine cheers were given
and the train rolled off, for
NATURAL BRIDGE.
The gay and expectant spirits OF all
were, to considerable degree, Swallowed
by the torrents OF rain which began to
pour soon after leaving Lexington. Ma.
tural Bridge station was soon reached
Mud in the clay roads and the laire was
more than ankle deep. Some of the oid
fellows, accustomed to rain and exposure
took the FIRST open wagons that came
along, while others waited until the
e'cIouds rolled BY" The rain oceasionet
so much delay that it was after dark err
the whole party arrived at the Bridge
However, the spirits of all were soor
lifted by the brilliantly lighted hoteI'
and Illuminated grounds. Bonfres blaze(
beneath the great arch of the bridge ant
the largest sky.roekets failed to reach TIL
ceiling of the arch. Art had done every
thing to help nature and it was truly I
grand picture, even to those who had seer
Niagara IS rushing waters and heard thei
mighty roar. When the bonfires died out
and the boys tired of shooting their rock
cts. all returned to the ballroom, where a
dance was being given in their honor.
While here, the following invitation to
visit Richmond, was read by Col. Brown
RICHMOND, VA, May %. 1884.
e Al.