Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-06-20
STONEWALL JACKSON.
DEDICATION OF A MONUMENT ON THE
FIELD OF CHANCELLoRsvILLE.

DEDICATION OF A MONUMENT ON THE
FIELD OF CHANcELLoRsvILLE.
On Wednesday last, the surviving COM
rades of s.Stonewall" jackson assembled on
the battlefield near Charlottesville, and
reared shaft of Virginia granite, appro-
priately inscribed, to mark the spot where
he fell mortally wounded on the evening OF
May 2, 1868. The ceremonies attending the
dedication were impressive and were wit
messed by several thousand people.
Gov. Lee made happy and appropriate
address, and that he introduced Senator
John W. Daniel, the orator of the OCCASION
and as Senator Daniel advanced to the front
of the platform he was received with burst
of delight from personal friends in the
crowd. Gov. Lee in happy manner intro
duced the Senator as soldier well qualified
to speak to soldiers, and statesman whom
the people of Virginia have learned to lean
upon as he now leans upon his crutch. This
little pleasantly was heartily appreciated
by the crowd. The Senator started off in
SOOu tUiCc, Uut OWltk w tAc AChS I'll VI LIE
address his voice failed him toward the
close. He started out by saying: "Here in
the bosom of this woods, on the I'd of May,
1868, Gen. Thomas Jonathan jackson, Of
the army of the Confederate States, laid
down his life." He then proceeded to COM
mend Jackson's energy and righteousness
in war and his godliness and integrity as
citizen. After glowing introd uction he
went back to Jackson's boyhood and fol-
lowed him through the various stages in his
great career up to the time when he was
stricken down. His record at West Point
was recited, showing that he started low in
his classes, but by energy and perseverance
worked his way up and graduated No II;
following him after his graduation into the
Mexican war, showing that he was always
a leader, never follower, in any battle
As professor at the Virginia Military In
stitutc he was not popular at first, and it
was even said of him that he was awkward
and poor lecturer. He seemed to realize
this fact, for he afterwards joined debating
society in Lexington. When Virginia drew
her sword to repel the enemies against her
State, he went to Gov. Letcher and report
ed for duty in the service of Virginia. The
Senator then reviewed Jackson's military
career, and referred to his Christian and
temperate habits. On one occasion one of
his fellow officers asked him to take drink
of liquor, whereupon jackson replied: "No,
[ am more afraid of it than am of Yam
| kee bullet" The Senator drew a graphic
picture of jackson in his old gray coat and
black sl0uched hat, pulled down to the one
side, as he sat motionless upon his horse
with hand uplifted invoking divine blessing
before entering into battle. Referring to
jackson as rigid disciplinarian, the speak
er related several anecdotes to show that in
| all things he considered duty to his county
first. He also spoke of Jackson's mysteri-
| GUS movements in battle and how frequent
ly he surprised the enemy. On one occa-
sion an old friend forwarded him letter ad.
dressed "Stone W. Jackson, somewhere or
somewhere else"
Senator Daniels peroration was a mas
terly effort. He declared with ringing voice
that Were the American continent sunk
tomorrow under the ocean, and if only a
copy of the Declaration of Independence
were rescued from the destroying wave.
coming generations of other lands would
know that it had been the home of fear
less people that had loved liberty, and of a
great people who knew how to defend it.
| The Confederate States of America have
| sunk out of sight forever beneath the waves
| OF war, but had their people no other tokens
by which to tell their tale they could rest
| their honor safely to posterity, lifting upon
their hands the tablets whereupon are writ
ten the traits of Robert E. Lee and Thomas
Jonathan Jackson. But it becomes us not
to weep that the Confederacy is no more.
THY will be DONE, was Jackson's voice in
death, and Thy will be done, be ours liv-
ing Let us rather rejoice that this Chris
tian soldier shed his blood, that govern
ment of the people lives, and we are in it
and with it and of it, to do our best in max
ing it great and glorious and 10 endure"
CONCLUDING CEREMONIES.
At the conclusion of Senator Daniels
speech memorial ode was rendered with
good effect by chorus of the Fredericks-
burg Musical Association, directed by Prof.
P. B. Bowring. Gen. Colston then read a
brief extract from his official report of the
battle, after which the distinguished visitors
on the stand were formally introduced, and
the ceremonies closed with salute fred by
the Fredericksburg Grays.
THE MONUMENT.
The monument stands about fifteen feet
from the turnpike. It is not on the exact
spot where Jackson fell, which was about
100 yards further down in the woods, but
its location was determined by the fact that
to place it elsewhere would have concealed
it from the view of the traveller on the high
way. 1t is cut Of Richmond granite, the
shaft being rugged and the foundation stone,
inscription-block and capstone smooth. On
the base-block, facing the highway, is cut
the name of Jackson. The inscription.
stone contains on its four sides, respectively,
the following:
"On This Spot Fell Mortally Wounded
"THOMAS j. JACKSON,
ellen tenant Ganeral G. s