Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-07-19
Hitherto Unpublished Letters and
TelegranS.
SWOOPING ON MCCLELLAN,
The situation In the Valley In 1s6@-Faith
In the Little 5rmy-Orders Touch
ing Dcserters, &C.
Especial telegram 10 the Dispatch.l

JrxfNcroy. July lS.-There have not
been such notes Of preparation in Lexing-
ton since the few DAYS just preceding the
unveiling of Nalcntine'srecumoent hGure
OF Lee here in1ss3.
Nothing is talked about but the coming
uuveiling of the Jackson statue on next
Tuesday. AMI the energies OF every one arc
bent lowarls making the ceremonies on
that occason something ever to be remem-
Iered. ami fully illustrative of the rever-
ence in which Jackson was held.
THIS $ characteristic of the Lexington
people They are an intense people. That
has loen made manifest in their history
from Colonial days to the present time.
When they make up their minds to do a
thing they do it all together. and DO 1t
thoroughly.
Lexington was anti-secession. How in
tensely so may be judged from tho follow
Ing extract from letter from the late be-
! we'd William $. White. ID. d., to Rev. VIII
Lam Brown, ID. D., written March 2, 1865;
Indeed, the civil war was very near be-
tinune IN the streets of Lexington on the
18th Of April, 1861. between Il handful OF
,ecession.sts. urged on by some OF the
tort OF politicians described above. and
he mass Of our citizens. But for Tie un'eT-
sr'ion II General ThomasJ. Jackson { Stone
RAIN blood ,rould then haze been she'd. fact
jut little known, but worthy of lasting re-
ncmbIance."
TRUE TO THEIR DUTY.
However, when it came TO question or
Nirginia's honor, no people were truer to
their State. or IA the strife that followed
reflected greater renown upon her name.
The character Of the people, their con-
ception Of duty, and their position touch
Ing the war are most APPLY described IN
what Or. White, who was essentially re-
preventative Lexingtonian, says OF himself.
quote from another letter Of bis TO DR..
Brown:
As late as April IS, 1861, made
speech 10 n crowd OF Union men adyo-
eating these views. On the following day
liucOln's proclamation came, which 1
then regarded and now regard as decla,
ration Of war. Thus forced 10 hight
claimed tho poor right of choosing. whom
would fight Necessity was iaid upon
ne TO r,iel against him or my native state.
iCAnee the former anu ucCsiho toSeA' S"s
never secessionist."
Between the breaking out of the war
end Nav 2, 1868. DR.. Whites congregation
furnished TO the army one hundred ana
sx officers and priyates,
HISTORY OF THE STATUE
immediately upon the death OF General
L. the fexingtonians addressed them
selves TO the work Of raising the funds foi
Lee memorial and there was no let
W" untilthat task had been accomplished
AID very soon after the unyeiling OF that
| superb example Of art. the Lee figure, the
| Jackson Monument Association was organ
| led. Many of the most active workers IL
| the Lee Monument ASSOCIATION gave theiI
| the and energies TO the new labor of love
and patriotism. Circulars were sent out
balaars held, and as soon as
sufficient sum OF money was in sight Val
eutiuc was without q dissenting voice
commissioned 10 execute heroic statue
HIS work was done with his usual patience
felthfuness, and enthusiasm; the figure
was cast in bronze in November, 1880
put in position on the pedestal,
lew DAYS ago, and on Tuesday, thu
thiFtieth anniversary of the first battle O
Manassas, It will be exposed to thu
Gdinring gaze of tho survivors O
htOnewalis old command and thousands
OF others. II will stand not only as last
ing monument to jackson and the
toulptor's fame. but as an enduring monu
men, also 10 the perseverance, aud loyalty
u true greatness of this old college town
THg MONUMENT DESCRIBED.
The monument is situated on q Sigh
mound at an elevated point IN the ceme
terry overlooking all the surrounding coun
tiy The statue Is an heroic bronze eight
feet IN height, surmounting granite pedes
TAI ten and one-half feet high, and consist
ing OF base course Of four members.
dle, aud capital On the front or divers
o. the die Is: