The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-07-22
TO A SOUTHERN GENERAL
The dwelling OF a Monument to
the Memory OF Stonewall
Jackson.
Gen. Wade Hampton Presides and
Gen. Jubal A. Early Is
the Orator.
ImpassiOned Peroration of an Addres,
Highly EulOgtstic-The Statue and
the Unwilling Ceremony.


thirtieth anniversary of the first battle of
Manassas, and Lexington. u quiet agricul-
tural village in which wa & spent the life
time Of Stonewail Jackson, the most
picturesque figure in the late confederacy
was brilliant with life and color, while ten
Thousand strangers assembled within its
environs to participate in the exercises
incident to the unveiling of the monument
emblematic of the respect and veneration
felt for the great soldier. The weather was
superb, fresh cool breeze tempering the
rays of the sun. The streets and buildings
were appropriately decorated. Beautiful
arches extend over Main street and banners
with the names of Jaokson's different
battles printed on them swung 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"
Long streamers of confederate states flags
and battle flags, set off with national colors,
decorate houses. Lees mausoleum was
covered with evergreens and cut flowers.
The statue stands on the eminence of a
circle in the center of the city cemetery, on
Main street, we'll set off with giant trees
The sculptor is a Virginian, Edward V.
Valentine, who designed the Lee monu-
ment 1t is of bronze heroic size, and por-
trays Jackson with uncovered head leaning
on his sword and left leg, and looking out
upon the field of battle. In his right hand,
at his side, is field glass. The figure is in
the full uniform Of n confederate lieutenant
general. The scabbard of the sword bears
the letters "U. s., a historical fact, as it
was modelled from Jackson's own sword
Tho statue proper measures eight feet and
surmounts granite pedestal ten and a half
feet high.
Old soldiers who followed Jackson dur
ing the war are pleased with the statue. The
stltute was the place of formation, under
the direction of Gen. Jas. A. Walker, of
MYRTLE Va, only surviving commander of
the Stonewall.brigade. Members of Gen
Walkers staf occupied the right of the
procession. The staff was followed by the
Stonewall band, twenty pieces, heading the
kockbridge (Va.) battery, under Col VIM.
Il. Poague, with the guns of the battery
operated under Gen. jackson at the first
battle of Manassas. The guns belong to
the Virginia Military institute and before
the war the cadets received instruction in
The remainder of the procession was made
up of survivors of the stonewall brigade.
consisting of the Second. Fourth Fifth,
Twenty and Thrty-third Virginia
regiments, under command of Col. Andrew
jackson j. Grisby and Col: J. K.
Confederate veterans of the army
and navy from MARYLAND. under Gen. Brad
ley L. johnson; various confederate camps
ana carriages containing Gen. Jubal A.
Early, the orator of the day; Gen. Wade
Hampton, who presided over the cere-
monies; Edward V. Valentine, the sculptor;
Mrs. Il. j. jackson, Gen. Rosser, a number
of distinguished confederate officers and
ladies of the monument committe.
The procession first moved to the campus
of Washington and Lee university and
halted about platform handsomely decor
ated. Rev. DIR. II. G. Hopkins. of West Vir-
ginla, who, as chaplain of the Second Vir-
glnla regiment. was with jackson in nearly
all his fights, opened the ceremonies with
prayer. Gen. Wade Hampton introduced
the orator of the day. Gen. Jubal A. Early,
and Col. Thomas NJ. Simmes, who read two
poems entitled. Stonewall Jackson's Way
and over the River The procession ,e-
formed as soon as the proceedings at the
stand were over and marched to the ceme-
terry in which the statue stands. Here little
Julia jackson Christian, from an elevated
platform, pulled the cords which sustained
the veil over the statue and exposed it to
view, while the Rockbrdge battery fired
salute.
Gen. Earl s speech throughout was little
more or less than a eulogistic sketch of
Jackson's life. He ended as follows: "Let
me conclude by saying, and let every hon
est-hearted confederate who fought bravelv
in the war, say, If l should ever apologies
for any part or action taken by mo in the
war, may the lightning of a righteous God
blast me from the earth and may be con |
sidered as the spawn of the earth by all
honest men, The Grafton was rec. ived
with tremendous enthusiasm,