The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1890-06-05
LEE MONUMENT UNVEILED.
Richmond Bright With the Flag Of
the COnfederaey.
Largest Army Ever Brought Together
In Its Streets.

Since 1861 the streets of Richmond have
never presented such military appearance
as they did on May 2Sth. The remark was
frequently heard: "Tbls looks Ike ILL.,
Then II was that the city was alive with
troops arriving every hour IN new uniforms.
The first notable gathering was early In the
morning when 900 veterans sat down to
breakfast IN the sam Jones Tabernacle. As
the veteran camps entered the city through
out the day they Were marched to the tabeT-
nar'e. The scene was one Of general hinrity,
One of the lions of the early morning was
Col Tarleton Alexander, an old darkey,
aged So years, who served all through the
war until AppomatoX. The old man was
covered with confederate decorations from
tue various veteran organizations. The
veterans wearing original confederate uni
forms, bearing the stains of long usage, were
also lions Of the day. One of them cried
out that 500 had been offered him for every
button on his uniform, and though poor
man, he would not sell them, About the
only bitter talk heard was against Il lott i,
Shepard on account Of his recent attack on
Lee and the recent occasion.
The line was over two hours IN passing,
and when Col. Archer Anderson, the orator,
had began his address, the column was still
moving half mile from him. Richmond
has had no such crowd In its borders, and at
no time during the war, even when some OF
tllt largest ulNlStous VI Lite aTiill
through the city, were there so many soldiers
In line. The number Is estimated at from
20,oOo to 5000. In fact, 1t was Lees army
marching through Richmond. No such as
semblage OF ex-confederatc soldiers will ever
be assembled together again. North Caro-
lima had 5000 uniformed men in line, with
out counting the veteran associations. The
marked feature of the occasion was the ova-
ton to Longstrcet. 1t was the most en-
tbusiastic, save that to Fit1hugh Lee,
recorded to any general, Longstreet was
affected to tears by it. 1t is understood that,
though anxious TO be present, he hesitated,
fearing that political feeling might be
against him. He said afterwards il was the
proudest day of his life.
Gen. Joe Johnston and Jubal A. Early
rode together, and were greeted with intense
enthusiasm. The war flags of the different
commanders evoked as much enthusiasm rs
the generals, aud when the crowds recog-
nized some original confederate uniforms
it was the occasion of wild cheering. The
bands played on the march the confederate
airs, 1.-The Bonnie Blue Flag" "Maryland,'
| and Dixie" which evoked everywhere
wild enthusiasm. Gen. Lees daughters
Miss Mildred and Miss Mary, were also the
recipients of an ovation. Beyond this there
was little to suggest the confederacy. There
was no rabid raniing against the Union.
The regiments carried the United States flag
along with their confederate battle flags.
The monument is situated in an open field,
at the heat of Franklin street, the fashion.
able street of the city. Possibly 5000 pee
! pile could get in sight, and possibly that
number was there. Upon the stand from
which Col. Anderson delivered his address
! the assemhlage was strictly Confederate.
| Gen. Lees children were all there, except
Gen. Curtis, who was detained by sickness.
Miss Mildred and Miss Mary sat together.
The former was very much affected during
the ceremonies. Capt. Robert f. Lee, Jr.,
and Gen. w. III. f. Lee, completed the group
of Lees children. Mrs W. II. #. Lee, her
two sons AID Mrs. Fitzhugh Lee were there.
When Longstreets carriage reached the
stand he kissed his hand to Gen. Johnston.
| who returned the salutation. Immediately
around the monument were the confederate
veterans from the soldiers home. All the
confederate battle standards were brought
in as neal, proximity as possible to the monu-
| ment and grouped about it. When the
| Picketts division battle flag was brought
here. Mrs Mcintosh of Maryland, who was
! sister to Mai. Pegram. killed at Gettys-
| burg, seized it and kissed it tenderly.
| The sp ecbmahing on the platform was
brief. Col. Archer Anderson delivered the
! Grafton.
At the conclusion of Col. Andersons adj
dress, Gen. Johnston pulled the cord which
|
dropped, exposing the beautiful bronze
work of art to view, when a mighty shout
went up from the multitude, and salvo of
100 guns was fired by the LIST battalion of
artillery. The assemblage then slowly dis
perscd and the troops marched to their
various headquarters, and were dismissed.
1t was nearly dark before the great crowd
dispersed and then the unique dining Of
veterans in the Sam Jones tabernacle oc-
Cured. Two thousand sat down to break
fast. Thirty-seven hundre TO dinner at one
time. A brilliant display of fire.
works took ace in the evening
! the most striking feature being representa-
tons of the equestrian statue of Lee and
pictures of Jefferson Davis and Stonewal
jackson. Coy. Mckinney held public re-
! ception, which was attended by many of the
distinguished men who had gore to Rich
mond to take p&rt in the ceremonies. Hon.
! J. l.. NJ. Curry, who served on Gen John
ston's staff, gave dinner in honor Of his
Old commander.