Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-07-22
STONEWALL'S STATUE.
The Unwilling Of the Monument Of
Gen. Jackson at Lexington.
GENERAL JUBAL EARLY'S EUL0GY
On the Dead Confederate Chshain-An nqusas
Tribuie to bis Worth IS Man and Soldisr-A
Description Of tbs Satuc-kany Strsn-
gers Participate in the Exercises.

quiet, peaceful little agricultural vii
lage, in which was spent the lifetime Of
Stonewall Jackson, the most picturesque
figure of all the notable men OF the
Southern Confederacy, is bright and
bustling with life and color. while ten
thousand strangers are assembled with
in its environs 10 participate in the ex-
ercises incident to the unveiling of
monument symbolic Of the esteem and
veneration felt for the great soldier
whose brilliant career was cut short In
the heighth of his fame. The streets
and public buildings are plainly, yet
beautifully decorated. Banners having
printed en- them the names OF his diff
ferent battles swing within one hun
dred 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 his request TO rest
in Lexington,
"In the valley let me lie. Underneath
Gods open sky"
The statue stands In circle In the
centre Of the city cemetery on Main
street, a square containing about four
acres of ground we'll set off with giant
trees, which hides the statne from
view except in the rear. The sculptor
is Virginian, Edward V. Valentine,
who designed the Lee monument. The
statue is Of bronze, heroic In size, and
portrays General Jackson with un-
covered head leaning on his sword and
left leg, and looking out upon
field OF battle. In the right hand
at his side Is a field glass. The figure is
clad in the full uniform OF Confederate
Lieutenant General, with the gold lace
on the sleeves distinctly visible, and
with heavy military boots and spurs.
The carriage is easy, and the attitude Is
one OF close observation, with the right
hand advanced, ready and alert for in
slant, vigorous action. The scabbard
OF the sword upon which the gauntletted
left hand rests, bears the letters "U.
S." an historical fact, as IL was modelled
from Jacksons own sword. The statue
proper measures s feet and surmounts a
granite pedestal 10h feet high, consist
ing Of a base course, die and capital.
On one face the die bears the inscrlp-
tion: jackson, 1s24-1s63."
And on another the single word:
'Stonewall," the sobriquet given jack
son by his chief Gen. Lee. Beneath the
pedestal is vault containing six sepul-
chre chambers surrounded by circular
grass plot around which is drive way,
with four approaches. The general ef-
feet OF the structure is imposing and the
statue is considered to be good repre-
sontatlon Of the dead soldier.
The parade ground OF the military
institute was the place OF formation Of
the procession which was under direc-
tion OF Gen. James Walker, OF Wythe,
Va, the only surviving commander OF
"Stonewall's" brigade. His stat was
followed by the Stonewall band with %
pieces, heading the Rockbridge (Va.)
battery under Col. VIM. T. Peague with
the guns the battery operated under
Gen. Jackson at tho first battle OF Man
assas.
The remainder OF the procession was
made up Of survivors OF the Stonewall
brigade, followed by the Maryland band
and Confederate veterans OF the army
and navy from Maryland, various Con-
federate camps and carriages containing
Gen. Jubal A. Early, the orator OF the
day; Gen. Wade Hampton. who presided
over the ceremonies; Mr.. Edward V.
Valentine, the sculptor; Mrs. T. j. Jack
son, Gen. Rosser, a number Of distln-
guished Confederate officers and ladies'
OF the monument committee. The pro-
cession first moved to the campus OF the
Washington and Lee University and
halted about platform which had been
erected for the distinguished guests and
handsomely decorated. The slope OF the
ground forms an amphitheatre, In which
seats were arranged for several thou
sand persons.
The Rev. DR.. II. c. Hopkins, OF West
Virginia, who as chaplain OF the Second
Virginia regiment was with jackson in
nearly all Of his fights, opened the cere-
monies with prayer.
Gen. Wade Hampton introduced the
orator Of the day, Gen. Jubal A. Early,
and Col. Thomas M. SHINES, who read
two poems, entitled "Stonewall jack
sons Way" and '0ver the River"
Gen. Early appeared in good health.
but showed painfully the signs OF old
age. The oration was a history OF the
life OF Gen. T. J. jackson.
Beginning with his birth, be traced
his career 70 the military academy az
West Point, bearing hard on his power
ful tenacity and pluck, and bringing
out fully his obstinacy In face OF diffi-
culties. He reviewed briefly Jackson's
career in the Mexican army, leading up
10 his life at the Virginia Military In
stitute and his influence on young sol
diers trained at that school By him. He
then made an historic sketch OF the army
record of the great leader, bringing ont
fOrcibly the opinion OF him by his 0ppo-
nents, remarking: "Tbey thought they
would have great trouble in finding the
faces OF Jackson's men, bus they learned
afterwards 1t was cavsed by their own
faces turned the wrong way"
He dwelt forcibly on Jackson's cam
paign In the valley, going into dates and
figures TO show that he fought always
against larger numbers, and be was al-
WAYS the victor. His speech through
out was mild and full Of argument.
being little more or less than an eulo-
CYSTIC sketch or Jackson's life Tho
grafton was received with close atten-
tion and great enthusiasm.
At It's conclusion the parade was con-
tinued TO the cemetery, where little
Julia jackson Christian. amid the firing
OF cannon by the Rockbridgo zrtillery
pulled the cord and the ycil fell, expos-
ing TO view the statue. Ib4 Military
and civic organizations bhea passed In
view Of the statue through thp cene-
fery. dropping OPS q In - hey
reached their QQaF1eE&