Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1891-08-01
THE JACKSON STATUE.
A Memorial to Virginia's Brave Son
Dedicated by the Gray,
The Statue Unveiled by GenI. Jackson's
Granddaughter while Cannons iioom
Lexington GayIy Decorated.

The Statue Unveiled by Genl. jackson
Granddaughter while Cannons Iioom
Lexington GayIy Decorated.
The statue erected to ''Stonevall" jackson,
the hero Of Charlottesville, by the Jackson
Memorial Association Of Confedera' Veterans
who served under the General, was unveiled
at Lexington on the thirtieth anniversary Of
the first battle of Bull Run.
Ten thousand strangers gathered to attend
the ceremonies and the quiet little village in
which Gen, jackson spent the greater part Of
his life was unable to accommodate them ali,
though every house was thrown open to them
and every hospitable building was filed.
Before the morning mists had lifted from
these beautiful hills the Stonewall Brigade
Band went to the residence of Col. Edmond
son and escorted him, Gen. Walker and Mr..
Valentine to the monument, where they
played Dixie" and then a dirg At 8
o'clock the Rockbr.dgo Artill ry survivors
fired salute of fifteen guns on the Virginia
Military Institute grounds and this was a
signal for all residents and strangers to turn
out upon the street.. From that time until
the hour of speaking the place was a scene Of
m .rching and countermarching of troops and
veterans.
Three arches decorated the streets on the
line of march, each bearing quotations from
Gen. Jsckson's remarks, appropriate poetical
sentiments and The names OF Confederate
generals and of the Confederate States.
Banners inscribed with the rames of Gen.
Jackson's battles swung at intervals of 100
yards over the line of march. One one APP
peared the dead Generals despatch, God
blessed our arms at Mcdowell yesterday"
On another was his request to be buried at
Lexington: ''In the valley let me lie under.
meath Gods open sky"
The veterans and organizations taking part
in the parade assembled on the parade ground
of the Military Institute. The procession
started late schedule time was 10 A. NJ
and marched to the campus of the Washing
ton and Lee University, where the lit rdry
exercises were held.
A noticeable feature in the procession was
Capt. Taylor Martin, Presbyterian minister,
who appeared in his Confederate uniform,
that of captain of artillery. Capt Martin
10 e at the head Of Lee Camp The oolors of
the Stonewall Brigade survivors was he battle
flag of the Thirty-tirst Virginia Regiment,
presented to the regiment by Gen jackson Mt
Westyille. 1t was first carried at Mcdowell
and was in every engag meat in which lL-
regiment participated to and including
Fredericksburg December 10. 1868 Ii is
stained with the blood o. the color bearer who
carried it at Shat psburg an was killed in
that engagement. Another historic fla in
the procession that waved in many q battle
field was that of the Meek enburg Rifles,
Iwenty-hrst Virginia Regiment and still
another WAS the flag carried by the Secon
Virginia Regiment.
AT the university campus platform had
been erected and handsomely decorated.
Seats for several thousand persons were ar
ranged on tue sloping ground which forms an
ampbitheatrc.
Gen. Early read his Grafton from manu-
script
Gen. Early sketehed the life and military
career of Gen. Jackson, remarking upon his
tenscity and courage and his resolution in the
face of difficulties.
lie spoke of the influence exerted by Gen.
jackson upon the youth he trained
The temper Of the Grafton was moderate, as
a rule, and little more than a eulogy Of the
dead soldier.
Mrs. jackson occupied seat on the stand
and touching incident Of the day was her
meeting with her grandchildren. Thomas AMI
Julia Christian, whom She had not seen FOR a
long time. She embraced them warmly aud
appeared much affected. During the delivery
OF the GRAFTON she held a little boy in her
arms.
The possession reformed at the close of the
literary exercises and marched TO the GENE.
terry, forming in rear of it at 2 p. NJ Soon
afterwards salute was fired by the R0cSbridge
Artillery, and as the guns doomed Julia Jack
son Christian, granddaughter of the General
pulled the cord which released the veil and
exposed the monument to view. The military
and civic organizations then passed in view OF
the statue through the cemetery, dropping
out OF line as they reached their quarters.
THE STATUE.
The statue stands in circle in thecentre Of
the City Cemetery on Main street, square
containing about 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 browning an elevation, over.
locking the surrounding country and com.
handing good view Of rich rolling.hills and
valleys. The sculptor is a Nirginian Edward
v Valentine, who designed the Lee monu.
ment.
The statue portrays jackson with uncovered
head leaning on his sword and left leg, and
looking out upon field Of battle. Ia the right
hand at bis side is a field glass. The figure
is clad in the full uniform of a Confederate
lieutenant general, with the gold lace on the
sleeves distinctly visible, and with heavy
In the attitude is one Of close observation
with the right foot advance, ready and alert
for instant vigorous action. The scabbard Of
sword upon which the gauutletted left hand
rests bears the letters United States his.
torical fact, as it was modelled from Jackson
own sword.
Beneath the pedestal is vault containing
six sepulehre chambers surrounded by a cir
cular grass plot, around which is a driveway
with four approaches. The general effect 81
the structure is imposing.
THE MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION.
The statue was erected by the Jackson
Memorial Association, composed OF soldiers
who served under Gen Jackson and incor.
porated under the Virginia statutes. 1t wa.
organized in 1884, with CIV. c. Lee as Presi
dent and John G. Boude, Secretary. The Tx
ecutive Committee is composed Of prominent
Nirginians.
The work Of raising the necessary fund.-
was diligently carried on by private and pub
lie subscriptions. In February, 1855 thu
women Of Lexington and Rockbridge County,
Va, held bazaar to assist the Association il
raising the fund