The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-07-05
THE oB0Y SPY"
His Visit to Virginia, and What He
Saw There.
FREDERICKSBURG. VA. June II.

ERBDERICKSBURG VA, June II.
It is like a letter from home written by
brother, to hear from the Boy again in Fred
ericksburg" about expresses the sentiment of
the numerous letters that have received since
my visit here. Perhaps this is because nearly
every survivor of the army has been here, and
will recognize something about the old battle
SCARED town. Fredericksburg has experienced
everything that dreadful war brings forth,
even to a gunboat raid.
There is much of interest about this country
beside its war history. Only little ways over
on the peninsula between the RappahannOck
and Potomac known as the Northern Neck, in
" Wes'molan," as they abbreviate Westmore-
land, George Washington was born, and they
tell me the stump of the cherry tree George
haggled down is pointed out to visitors to the
old homestead. l have not seen the stump
myself. but | have q number of canes said to
have been cut from the felled tree, that shall
be glad to sell to relic hunters-wthOut guar
antee of their commences, however.
Not many of the boys who went into their
Winter quarters on Stafford flights, below or
nearly opposite fredericksburg, know that the
Army of the Potomac were eamped so long on or
that they were burning rails from the farm of
Mrs. Washington, the mother of him who was
" first in war" etc. At the point where the
center pontoon was laid by Burnside, just be-
low the old mill, marks the location of the
place where young George threw the stone over
the river.
l have good photograph of this and the old
mill the wheel in motion, and showing the
mill-race in which proposed to lead my cable
wire up into town. Every man in the army
will recognize that old mill by the railroad
bridge; also the rocky road" or lovers lane,
leading up from the pontoons into the main
street.
Mrs. Washington lived on one of the hill
streets OF the town. The house is still stand
L
left It, 1t will be remembered that Washing
ton, while en- route to the Capital to be inaugu-
rated President visited his mother at this
house. The garden in which she is described
as meeting him 80 iudiferently, while planting
her onions, is at this writing still growing gar
den sass. Lafayette and many other distin-
guished people visited Mrs. Washington during
her lifetime here.
The house is now occupied by Mrs Moore,
who is always pleased to show the visitors the
bed-chanber in which Mrs. Washington died,
and to point out other objects Of interests about
the premises.
Mrs. Washington is buried on the outskirts
of the town. The old soldiers will all recall
THE UNFINISHED MONUMENT.
1t stands to-day precisely as it did during the
war, monument to mark Nations neglect
of the mother of the Father of his Country.
90 out there nearly every evening, because it
is pleasant walk, and | love to sit on the
same ledge of rocks under the big tree where |
spent so many happy hours with Geno
Near the tomb is a venerable old square
brick building, known as Kenmore" built
nearly lao years ago for Betty, the sister of
George Washington, the bride of Col Fielding
Lewis. This time honored house is now the
residence of w. Key Howard, esq, courteous
gentleman, who kindly conducted the " Boy "
through the house, explaining it's wonderful
nd itu nj fIad
decorations-one medallion being designed by
Washington.
One does not have to go far from Washing
ton to find curious and unique bits of interior
decoration that for originality of design aud
execution are not excelled by the modern imi-
tation Of the antique. / think l have seen
huge, If not massive, locks and bolts on the
doors of houses in this old town that would be
considered treasures in some fine Washington
homes.
The builders of these old colonial homes did
not have the advantage of monthly publications
on art decoration and architecture, but being
left to their own ingenuity and resources, they
have worked out with their own hands some
| curious and beautiful specimens Of the antique.
Kenmore" suffered somewhat from the
Smelling, there being the scars Of five solid shot
| on the walls facing Burnside's artillery. The
main street Of the town, all will remember, is
| below or under the hill running parallel with
| the river At the upper end of this and al
most Immediately opposite the Lacey House, is
! a story-and half building, with some ancient
| looking dormer windows breaking through a
| good big roof surface, known to the old resi-
| denters as the Rising Sun Inn" or tavern.
| where Washington, Aaron Burr and all the
| Virginia politicians played poker in ancient
| times. The Masonic fraternity here cherish
| the old building as the early home of their
| lodge, and where Washington was made a
| Mason.
St Georges Church. the steeple of which our
artillerymen used as a target, looks as natural
as ever, except that the three holes we put into
| 1T have been patched over. 1t is painted white,
| and from my bed / hear the dear old town
clock strike half the hours of the night, aud,
| looking out, the electric lights from below are
| reflected upon its white surface so that it
stands out alone over all like white specter.
A few days since some workmen in excavat-
| ing for foundation dug up a 12-pound solid
shot that had been buried three feet under the
| surface. Relics are numerous and genuine
here Perhaps the largest and most interesting
collection Of genuine war relics to be found
anywhere is on free exhibition at the Ex-
change Hotel Museum.
The Boy Spy" readers will find among them
a 12-pound ball that went through the little
parlor and demolished the sofa on which Gene
and | sat while she played the guitar and sang
| Juauita. We were not sitting there when
the ball went through, however.) But have
found out since I've been here that a good.
looking Confederate officer, Captain on Gen
Barksdale's staff, was trying TO court my gir
while was lying over the river in the cold
and snow. It's some satisfaction. Also to OBJ
serve that this ball came from Capt. Kirby't
battery, which was stationed at the Lacey
House, and it certainly spoiled that sofa and
parlor and interrupted any love-making.
have had Mississippian for rival every time
l have ever had girl
In looking up this Confederate Captain re-
Gently, learned that Mr.. Justice Lamar would
probably know of his whereabouts 1 took the
liberty Of addressing personal note to him
with an explanation that | hoped be would
not consider me a crank, because presumed tC
make an inquiry of a Justice of the Supreme
Court about love story, to which he replied
pleasantly:
. 1t does not bother me to hear about a love
story of the war, provided the denouement is q
happy one. find myself reading them when.
ever | get an opportunity or the labors and re-
quirements of my. duties will permit and
fear that ! some times play truant for this pur
pose. | am very much interested in Gene
already"
In reply to some inquiries from New England
as to the prospects of settlement or a home fol
old Federal soldiers in the genial climate Of
Virginia, would say cordial welcome is ex
tended to all worthy, industrious people from
all sections to come to Virginia TO live or die.