Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1890-06-06
INCIDENTS, &C.

Ln6 C01lQf6n OIL zen. RODeIG Il. Lee dflll
other distinguished intimate associates Of
the great commander as to the statue and
the memory of this day will be interesting:
General W. H. F. Lee, a son of General
K. E. Lee, said: II am not much OF critic,
but it strikes me as being a fine piece OF
art. 1t is striking picture OF my father.
miss Mary Lee, the Oldest daughter OF
the casting in Paris. The statue is superb,
and a very striking resemblance of father"
Miss Mildred Lee was so much occupied
in receiving congratulations from her
fathers friends that she could not give ex-
preston to her feelings. Tears trickled
down her face as one after another was
introduced to her.
Miss Mary Lee also had tears in her eyes,
and, as a lady friend remarked, "How can
you expect woman to contain her feel
ings? They are not so hardened like you
men,
Gen. Fitzhugh Lee said: II think the
statue is superb piece of work OF art. The
resemblance to General Lee is very mark
ed The seat in the saddle is very accurate.
Taking pedestal and rider together, in my
humble opinion, it eXcelS in all that constl-
tutes true artistic merit any equestrian
statue in the country"
One Of the prettiest Of the many pretty
sights to be seen was little girl about six
wears old perched on top of the roof of a
completely enveloped in a long dress made
of Confederate flag, and the brownish-
golden curls falling about the little ones
Shoulders, framed her pretty face, and
made charming picture. AS each COM
mand would pass she would wave her
Southern flag, and she had many men to
look I'D to her from her rather exalted po-
sition.
During halt on upper Franklin street a
band lust in front of some Virginia veteran
organization began playing Garry me
back The veterans in the rear at once
caught the inspiration and began dancing
a quadrille. This was kept up for over
five minutes, and the ladies who lined both
sides of the streets applauded after the
dance was concluded.
The motto ''Richmond College Treats
the Friends of Lee was hung on the south
~ns.,.-s;ae of the Richmond College yester-
dau TSssRah ! Rah Rah p OF the boys
was heard tbron.ess the parade, and they
made most creditaB showing. Fn,l va
hundred of the young men tcUk pal vi. .,iS
parade attired in their caps and teh...s>
jackets.
Flung to the breeze in front of the Mary
lani grand stand was a motto bearing
Maryland, our mother, we welcome thee;
Virginia, our home, we honor thee When
the Fifth Maryland passed under the motto
enthusiasm rose high, and the scene for
few moments was indescribably inspiring.
The supreme moment was when the
bronze equestrian group was uncovered;
when obedient to the touch of cord by
General Joseph E. Johnston the canvass
fell away and let fall upon the horse and
rider the glances of 70, 900 OF 100, 900 people.
Then men went wild. Veterans shouted
and cried and Rugged each other. The
young men roared out their applause. The
women and children waved handkerchiefs,
fanS hannprS and SparfC The
artillery Numbered; the musketry follow
ed, volley upon volley. 1t was an extraor-
binary exhibition of joy; tidal wave of
ecstasy; a reunion and acclaim that no
country-certainly no defeated country
ever excelled.
over the famous stonewall brigade float
ed the flag that went with Stonewall Jack
son from Manassas to Charlottesville
Private d. P. Carver, a grizzled, scared
veteran of the Tenth Virginia cavalry, who
bore it, marched with a conscious air
which seemed to say, ...'We-uns are the boys
who did the fighting"
Heading the list was the old Stonewall
Band, of Staunton, of twenty pieces, the
men in bright uniforms, and each piece
keeping perfect time with the others. This
old band attracted, as it deserved, much
attention.
General Rosser did liberal and kindly
thing when he furnished a special car to
bring some old Confederates from Char
louisville to Richmond yesterday morn
ing, and left word with the agent if any
other veterans wanted to come and had
not the money, to purchase the tickets at
his General Rosser's) expense.
General e. w. G. Lee, president of the
Washington and Lee University at Lex
ington, was prevented by sickness from
attending the ceremonies.
Many EX-Confederates who were unable
to attend the ceremonies sent kilograms of
regret One came from across the ocean
from the gallant PrusSian Heros Won
Borcke, who served with distinction in
Stuart's division all during the war, and
has since testified in many ways his love
was addressed to Mr.. L: B. Vaughn, a
veteran of the same division, and reached
him Just as the parade began 1t reads:
81 am unable to come, but all my heart
is with you. Much love to my old COM
rades. HERDS Won BoRCKE.'
WORE LEES HATE
Major Robert Stiles marched with the
Howitzer Veteran Association, having
been member of the First Howitzer COM
pany at the opening of the war, arrayed in
his own veritable gray jacket and General
Robert E. Lees hat with a star from that
Generals coat-collar sewed on the front of
the hat.
The star was given by the General HIM
the hat sent to Rev. Dew. Dr. Stiles, the
father of Major Stiles. The latter gift in
its circumstances illustrates the sweet and
playful grace of General Lees daily in
tercourse with his friends. just after the
war DR. Stiles passed by General Lees
house having on rather shabby hat. New
hats did not grow on trees in those days.
The General called to the Doctor from his
porch, but he did not hear and drove on.
Miss Josie Stiles being at the time in the
house General Lee went upstairs and
brought down to her this hat, saying:
"Miss Josie, tell your father he is too good
a rebel to wear such bad hat as saw on
his head to-day, and am too good a rebel
toAkeep two hats as good as both mine are.
Please give him this with my compli-
ments. The hat is broad-brimmed
gray felt.
Virginia certainly put her best foot fore
most with the cadets of the Virginia Mill
tary Institute, the First Brigade of Vir-
ginia Volunteers, infantry. and the First
D., of 1rxr Tho hn6U