Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-05-31
RICHMOND AFTERMATH.
Some Features OF the Lee Statue Unveil.
ing Not Covered by the Press Reports.


There were numerous unique and interest
ing and not . few touching incidents at the
celebration Of the unwilling Of the Lee statue in
Richmond Thursday.
When Gen. Joseph E. Johnston ieft the
speakers stand and proceeded TO the monu-
ment where he pulled the cord that quickly
loosened the fastening about the head Of the
statue and instantly revealed the horse and
rider in all their bold relief and manificent
proportions . very affecting scene oo-
Cured Miss Mildred Lee, Who had listened
to the Grafton and watched with in
tense interest the unwilling exercises, yielded
to the emotions she could no longer suppress
and burst into tears. The salvos OF cannon
and musketry and the sublime scene as wit
messed from her elevated position on the stand
but added to the tenderness of
the moment and the intensity
OF her feeling. Old veterans. too. who had
rested on the green sward quietly and rever-
entity as on some sacred occasion, waiting Tor
this final scene, were overcome with the Hood
tide OF memory and we're seen TO weep.
The procession did not form altogether in
the order Of the dates of secession, as has
been announced but following the South Caro-
lima and North Carolina troops came the Vir-
associated with the great commander they hon
ored.
Company @ of the fourth Virginia cavalry,
Wickham's brigade, carried q well-worn flag
OF the Free" presented to the organization
several years before the war by the ladies of
Hanover, and which was with them when mus
tered into the confederate service. They then
used the Virginia state flag till the confederate
flag was sfterward adopted, and now again
they carry the red, white and blue with all the
enthusiasm Of their early love.
Those who had seen Gen. Lee in command OF
his army declared the statue superb counter
felt of the confederate chieftain.
Many inquiries were made as to why piece
OF blue bunting was pinned to the canvas cover
on the east side of the statue, and il was
learned that military company placed it
there that they might make a banner Of il 70
preserve as a memento OF the occasion
Among the pretty features OF the day was
the parade of fifty bicycle riders, their wheels
the various flags Of the Union and confederscy.
Some carriages and especially advertising
wagons were similarly decorated and made q
gaudy if not always an imposing appearance.
The William and Mary College boys had q
banner dated 1893, when Virginia was loyal
colony of the Hanoverian prince, and the blue
flag Of Virginia, bearing the state seal and
motto, were seen on all sides. A noticeable
thing was that the Mississippi veterans carried
no confederate flag, but were pleased to march
beneath the ample folds of the stars and stripes
Some comment has been caused by the statue
OF Washington in the state capitol grounds
holding in one hand confederate state flag
but the flag, 1t seems, was not put there by or
der OF the committee of arrangements. q num-
Der of venturesome boys having climbed the
| statue in the early morning and placed il there.
"Col." Tarleton Alexander, over eighty wears
old, a colored confederate who served from
alpha to omega of the rebellion and sur
rendered at Appomattox, was on the streets in
the morning wearing numerous badges and
| souvenirs presented by the veteran confede-
| rates as decorations of honor.
The third Georgia and tenth Virginia vet
Grams bore tattered and moxe-begrimed battle
flags, the latter body having bullet-perforated
canteen also fastened TO its standard while the
Southern Society of New York, a fne-looking
lot Of men, carried the stars and stripes and
we're provided with patriotic music by Beck's
Band OF Philadelphia.
Gen. Taylor of Kansas, who commanded an
OHIO brigade, was among the northern guests
of the city and was so much pleased with his
reception by his quondam enemies in arms,
| but latter-day friends about their camp fires.
that he expressed his purpose to have the
Mississippi boys invited to the next GAR re-
union in Kansas.
The Maryland veterans when they met Long
street were about to draw him through the city
in his carriage, but he, through modesty,
protested against the proffered honor they
finally acquiesced in his expressed desire.
The new aud active devotion TO the Union
everywhere exhibited was marked feature OF
the occasion.