The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-07-22

ance.
LEXINGTON, Va. July ell Special i
This is the thirtieth anniversary OF the
first battle of Manassas and Lexington.
the quiet, peaceful little village in
which was spent the lifetime of Stone
wall Jackson, the most picturesque fig
ure of all the notable men of the South
ern Confcderacy, is bright and bustling
with life and color, while 40, 900 strang-
ers are assembled within it's environs to
participate in the exercises incident to
the unveiling of the monument sym-
bolic of the esteem and veneration felt
for the great soldier whose brilliant
career was cut short in the height OF his
fame.
The crowd Of admirers of the great
general began arriving Saturday, and
yesterday, when number of the lead
ing survivors Of Jackson's command
gave a banquet at the Virginia Military
Institute, in which jackson was one of
the professors at the breaking out of
the war. the town was full of veterans.
Each train since yesterday afternoon
has been filled with former Confeder-
ates, their number being SO large that
the town accommodations are stretched
to their utmost by hospitality of it's
residents, which was insufficient for the
gathering throng.
Not less less than 1000 Confedcrates
are in town. They have come from
ever" State that cast its lot with tho
Seccssionists. Probably not less than
10000 OF the boys who wore the blue
are also here, and in the throngs in the
street the blue rainment and brass but
tons of the Grand Army OF the Republic
are TO be seen on every hand.
There is not house in the city, pub
lie or private, that is not filed. This
morning the country sides are warming
with people and every road leading
through the rolling fields of ripened
wheat and bossoming clover is pouring
its contingent into Lexington. The
weather is superb. Tho day dawned
misty and threatening, but the rising
sun soon drove away the clouds and fog
The sky cleared beautifully and a fresh
cool breeze tempered the rays of the
sun. so that TIE day was as pleasant as
could be wished
The streets and buildings arc beau
tifully decorated. Three arches extend
over Main street on the line of march.
On these are printed familiar quota
tions from Jackson, and appropriate
poetry, and also the names of generals
associated with him in the war and the
thirteen Confederate States. Banners
having printed on them the names OF
his different battles swing within 100
yards OF each other across the line of
march. On one appears Jackson's
noted telegram after the battle of Nc
Dowell: God blessed our arms with
victory at Mcdowell yesterday"
On another banner is his request TO
rest in Lexington in the valley let me
lie, underneath.Gods open sky" The
decorations of the houses are profuse
and some of them beautiful, consisting
of long streamers, Confederate states
flags and battle flags set off with
national colors. Lees mausoloun is
wrapped in evergreens and cut flowers,
and never looked more handsome The
section room at the b cracks of Virginia
Institute used by Jackson when pro.
lessor there, has attracted thousands Of
"uHiiItrS. Entering Lne room on one
side is pyramid of pottcd flowers grow
ing up three feet high, near tho chair
occupied by General jackson as instruc-
tor, the chair being garlanded in flowers.
In front OF simple pine table the
blackboard bears the inscription, "He
fought good fight" To the front is
stand OF guns with markers and flag
OF regiment; on another blackboard was
written. lieutenant General Jackson's
body laid in this tower May II, 1868"
Next to this is printed order OF his
funeral exercises at that time. On an
other blackboard is the inscription.
ELECTED to the chair OF experimental
philosophy and military tactics, 1851"
10 the right of the professors chair
were three rows Of plain bench seats,
suggestive of the recitation O. hours.
The whole was simple, out exceedingly
impressive.
The statue stands in a circle in the
centre of the city cemetery. on the Main
street square, containing four acres of
ground, well set of with giant trees
which hide the statue from view, except
in the rear. The site is Slight mound.
the browning elevation overlooking the
surrounding country. The sculptor is a
Virginian, Edward V. Valentine, who
designed tho Lee monument.
The monument marks the grave of
jackson in the cemetery near the Pres