The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-06-22
THE LEE MONUMENT"
\ Model Essay on the Unwilling by "a
Bright Richmond Bow

Bright Richmond BOY.
The following composition on the Lee
monument and the unyciing ceremonies
was written by. Master Robert Muniord,
who won the gold medal this year at Mrs.
Camm's school. This boy is a son of Mr..
Robert IL. Munford, and when it is con-
sidered that the writer is not yet twelve
years old. the essay. for its purity of diction
and style. is remarkable. Ed.
The Lee monument was modelled lay the
celebrated French sculptor, Monsieur y.
Morcie. one Of the worlds greatest artists.
II was made i'm Paris and was shipped TO
New York. then il was brought 10y rail to
this city. II was received with great honor
by the resident, of this dear old Confederate
capital, and was watched by special
guard Of honor. When the day arrived
long before the hour for its removal. crowds
Of citizens had gathered TO assist IN pulling
the precious burden 90 its place Of final des-
nnaiion. It was to have been pulled from
the Richmond. Fredericksburg and Potomac
freight depot, at the upper end OF Kroad
street. down Broad 10 First, and then out
Franklin 10 the pedestal.
II had been decided that tho horse and
rider. which were In four very large BOXES,
should bee drawn 10y the citizens instead OF
bv hOrseS~and every one took the greatest
pleasure M doing SO. was delighted To as
sist myself and shall always be glad to
say that did. Finally, when every place
ON the ropes was occupied 10y both old and
Young. the procession began 10 move; and
a. the boxes, which had been beautifully
decorated. rolled down the street, thou
sands of voices cheercd. All along the line
crowds Of people gathered to witness the
removal, and we all thanked God
for its safe arrival. When the boxes
reached the pedestal they were guard
ed faithfully day and night NY some
veterans. who took great pleasure
i'm having this duty assigned them.
Nearly all the persons carried away pieces
of the rope by which they pulled. a memen-
tos of the occasion. All along the street
demonstrations Of joy were visible; the
afternoon was beautiful and no accident
happened. For about two weeks the work
of putting together and raising the m0nu-
mcnt steadily went ON, while we all watch
ed il with the most heartfelt interest; num-
bers of people went out to see ii every eve
ning 10 watch Che work. The statue was
FIRST put together and then gradually raised
bV means of lack-screWs until IL was Il
little above the pedestal; then 1t was Sided
right over the place for 1t to stand and let
down. All the time it was being raised It
was partially covered, but after 1t was
placed on the pedestal il twas neatly cover
ed with a white cloth until the unNeilng.
Finally. the work being finished, and the
great dav having been fixed, we awaited It's
arrival with much Impotence. At last the
glorious morning daWned. Ii was beau
tiful spring-like day, where the sun shone
down upon the surviving comrades, and
nature combined with Old Virginia hospl-
tally TO make everything beautiful. Such
"A demonstration has never before taken
Mace in the history Of this country, where
soldiers from every Southern STATE
Joined hands and hearts to do honor TO
the Immortal Lee and little children ana
their part Every house on the streets
along which the procession was 10 pass was
beautifully decorated with bunting ana
flags. Ii was a great sight as the splendid
procession Of soldiers and veterans from
every state in the grand old Coniederacy
Joined with those COnfcderatcs OF Maryland
and New York TO honor our leader. Most
of the procession was formed on Broad
street. at Adams. and other parts joined in
at other places along the line. one OF the
most interesting features Of the procession
was the large number of Confederate vet
Grams. many OF them with one Lee, VINO
hobbled along 10 the best OF their aOilily,
and carried the old tattered and torn battle
FLAGS which made the people cheer ana al
the same time saddeued them.
The procession was headed by our eN-
Governor. Fitzhugh Ice, who looked ele-
CANT on his beautiful horse. lie IS General
Lees nephew. Next came carriages con
tanning some of the men Of which we are
proud They were Rev. Drs. Minniger0de
and H0ge. General Lee attended Dr. Min
negerOde's church for many years. Incy
are two Of RichmOnd's most Yenerated
pastors. Then there were Generals Joseph
l.. Johnston. Jubal 4. Early, James Long
street. j. Il. ker-haw, John Is. Gordon.
Long, Harry Heth, and Maury. Gov
ern0r FOwle, Of North Carolina. occupied
private carriage. General Lees residence
was beautifully decorated with ilOwers.
At the houses Of the kind hearted people OF
Richmond, whole companies were enter
tanned. Every soldier and person in the
CITY either participated in or watched the
procession. And ali Of the visitors went
away delighted. All Of the generals met
with hearty reception. II was about hall
past twelve when the procession began u
move and IL was about four hours IN passing.
Consequently IL was very late before All oil ~
could reach the grounds, and consequently
the unwilling which WAS 10 have ucen al
two did not take Place until nearly SIN.
After seeing the procession decided To 20
wendell my way slowly up Franklin street
and when / reached the monument such
sight has never before met my eyes. W mere
thousands and thousands Of people ana
soldiers from all over the south and rom all
of our various institutions were spread out
in the field. worked my way through The
dense crowd aud at last succeeded IN get
ting very near 10 the monument. DIR. Min
nieerodc and Dr. llOge, were both to nave
some part in the ceremony and Colonel
Archer Anderson. was 10 make the address
which suppose was going on at TINS time,
a. now and then | could hear the persons
near the stand cheering. watched the
with a very Keen eye tol
see when the statue was unveiled. AT
last / noticed some policemen liking
The ropes; from this supposed they were
getting readyfor the unyelling. MY Thoughts
were very soon verified by seeing zen
eraI Joseph J.. Johnston approaching
the bottom Of the pedestal. In few mo
ments he pulled the rope and the beautiful
statue seemed 10 spring up gracefully from
among its covering, and fifty thousand
voices rang out in wild eXultatiOn 10 the
Creator. Instantly, as if by some iairy's
touch. the artillery pealed forth, and the
nfantry seemed TO echo the great sound
then as / looked over the beautiful ncld,
saw the cavalry rushing madly back an
forth as # in battle, and rs stood an eye
witness of that grand sight On the right
hand side Of the monument, the sun gleain-
ing on the beautiful horse and rider,
thanked God that was there.