Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1890-05-29
RICHMOND. VA. Nav 29.-This ia gres

RICHMOND, VA, May 29.-This ia 3 great
day in r chmond, the occasion being the
unwilling OF the monument and eqdes'
trian statue of General Robert 3. Lse.
The city has on is holiday dress, and lie
crowded with psople, all ccme to do honor
to the name aud memory of Lea-Vlrginia's
nobless soldier, patriot and chriesian gentle
man.
Fiugs-Confederat and United States
gay coIo7ed bunting, stTeamers, memorial dt
signs, portraits Of Lee, Davis. Johnston, and
olhers decorate hundreds OF houses. In many
cases the decorations extend across the
streets, and ia some instances there is G net
work OF flags ard colcrs which are fastened
to ropes reaching from the tall buildings In
the business part of the city across to the
opposite side of the street. The Confederate
Gags are more numerous than tue union
colors, huudred5 of houses being exclusively
decorated with embiems of;he lost cause"
The decorations on franklin street where
wealthy citizens live are costly and heud-
come. The Westmoreland and Richmond
cubs, are gorgeously decorated.
Confederate flags wave, bands play Cor
federate airs, Confederate songs are sung,
Confederate generals AMI priVates are hon
ored, "rebel yells' are heard, a5d for day
or two at least TIE Confederacy will live
Again--on peac, footing.
All the colors IF the rainboW combine to
deck Richmond 10 loneliness. The Virgins
flag waves by the side of the Confederate c;
the Unitea Statss onsign kisses the wind
with the government flag Of the ''stoI n
10 Is t,n ry
with the gray, aud the red with the blue:
while coats of arms, portraits OF Lee anc
other em6iems are placed in every niche
and corner. L; Is indeed beautiful, perfect
kaleidoscope CT color, and rehscts much
credit on the ci;iZ5ns OF this fair city.
Oue can hardly refrain from becoming
enthusiastic at the sight presented, and nn-
consciously the words of soma stirring war
song form on the lips Of the men who fol-
lowed Lee. The waving of the stars aad
btrs brugs many "reminiscences to their
minds Of days long ago; many remembrar-
cas- of comrades who gave up theif lie Tor
the capae.
Early this morning veterans. soldiers and
civilians were marching to and fro, sooe
hurryiog to their breakfasts, others 10 Cad
their old comrades and others making pre-
parations for the great event of the day.
People were pouring into the city by the
thousands and tens of thousands. Early
after breakfast the cavalry had reunion
on Shockoe Slip. and then, commanded by
General Wade Hampton, they marched to
take their place In the line of the prGce:-
sion.
The Capitol green Esa crowded with old
veterans, as nearly oil Of them met there to
fad their old commando aud prepare to pa
raGe. There were some pathetic scenes.
Same who fought side by side met FOR tie
first time since the d .g went down at Apo
mattoX.
After al these greetings aud when preps-
rations had been made for ,ining the pre-
cession with the slsrs and bars flying proud
ly to tho southern bre,Ze and With the
"rebal yell" the veterans marched to the
strains of southern airs and took their
places ia the line.
General Fnzaugh Lee was chief marshal,
and had among his aides General James A.
Walker, Virginia. Cole. Thos Smith, II. K,
Douglas. R Il. Dalsny, and Thomas I'll
Carter.
Grand Commander Colonel E. NJ. Henry,
of the Grand Camp, @. V. Department Of
Virginia, commanded the veterans. His
regular aides were Colonel Dan II. Loe,
Capt. William A. Smoot. Major William
e Foster and Colonel J q Rockwell, and
among his honorary aides we're Colnneis l..
Hoxton, Alexandra, aud e l.. Bennett,
Lsesbnrg.
The procession formed on the south side
Of Broad street, facing Dor;b, tho left rest
ing on Adams street.
And then came the grand spectacle
Thousands of men from every southern
State at the words, Forward, march"
which General Fiiz Lee uttered, marched
through the streets OF Richmond. The eds
walks were thronged.
The head of the column moved shortly
after IL M from Adams street on Broad,
and the line of march was down Bsoad to
Nineteenth to Maic, up Main to Eighth to
Franklin, out franklin to the monument.
The police mouoted moved Oft in advance
followed by the Sgonewall baud, marshal
and assistant msrshals, carriages with ,E-
yited guests and veteran cavalry, Gen.
Wade Hampton commanding. Following
came the volunteer troops,-infsntry, artii.
lery, and cavalry, and the Farmers Alliance
mounted. Ga reaching Tenth and Main
streets the column passed in review before
the veteran organizations formed there who
fell in line under command of General
Heth. General E. P. Alexander had charge
of the artillery.
When the head Of the column reached
streetit was halted and he veteran
cavalry, volunteer troops, and mounted al
lance formed on the north eide of Franklin,
facing south. The veteran infantry then
continued their march to the monument fol-
lowed by veteran cavalry and veteran
troops.
At the monument tia organizations On
foot were massed Immediately in font Of
the grand stand as they arrived.
After ali the troops were stationed in
their proper places Governor Mckinney
called the meeting 10 order and introduced
General Ju5el A. Early to preaids. Tie
General was heartily cheered. General
Eariy's remarks were brief and he closed |
~ presenilog Rev. DE-. Charles Miunige
ode, OF this city, the former pastor OF Lee
md Davis, who offsred prayer General
Toe Johnston then proc to pull cord,