The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-08-10
Summer Outing Papers.
Richmond-The Monumental Scars of tie
Confederacy Richmond Parks ard
Standardization Davis and General
Lee etc.
MRS. sHERwooD's LETTERS.

MRS, SHERWOOD'S LETTERS.
RICHMOND, VA. July %
The monumental scars of the Confed-
eracy are scattered all around and over
Richmond, Virginia. As the seat Of tie
Confederacy it has gathered them all in,
as hers by right. She's proud Of them.
| 1t was also the home of the two most
noted men the lost cause brought to the
'front.' Jefferson Davis. and General
Robert E. Lee,-men as different in type
as two individuals could be. Davis all
personal ambition; Lee all for conscience.
The jeff Davis mansion is three
storied square brick house OF the coloni-
al period with hall through the center
and double windows on all sides. A
gallery with round columns at the back,
and from this it is stated his only son
fell and killed himself in the most un-
accountable manner during the early
days Of the war. The city or State now
owns the house, and it is being fitted
up for historical relics and the Confeder-
ate archives, to perpetuate period
which no Southerner has yet more than
| half forgotten, nor has the bitterness
been quite effaced. Indeed. the memen-
toes Of the "lost cause seem to one
nurtured on the patriotism which en-
braced the whole Union, to be rather too
numerous. There are at least one dozen
memorials dedicated to perpetuate the
memories OF the lost cause. the heroes or
the battle fields of the Confederacy, in
State has it's own Confederate monu-
ments. If only their ghosts do not
rise" to plague some future generation
it will be a wonder! Today your true
Southerner regard those monuments,
parks, houses and statues of the heroes
of that time with an almost passionate,
if not poetical veneration, that presages
no good in certain emergency. l say
this without prejudice.
The Jefferson Davis mansion is built
Of brick and is being plastered anew
inside and out ready for it's treasures.
IS
The home Of General Lee after he
left Arlington on the Potomac at the
beginning of the war, was located in
Richmond, in Franklin street, house Of
the better type common thirty years
ago. 1t has long narrow hall on one
side with salon parlor on the right of
that. and an 81" for dining room and
kitchen in the rear. Two stories above
| for living rooms and bed chambers. 1t
| is substantial brick house close upon
the side walk, and in row of others
very similar to it. An unpretentious
place, such as the well-to do business
men occupied. Here Mrs. Lee and her
daughters lived for several years after
the Generals death, and it was here he
came for refreshment and solace of
family affection during those dark days
Of those five disastrous years Of un-
availing war. 1t is now known as The
Historical Society rooms.
The other house made notable by
personal, historical presence which still
hallows it. is not much more than
howell, is General Washington's head
quarters during the Revolutionary
period. 1t is OIL Main street, and is said
to be the oldest house in Richmond. 1t
is built of stone. one low story with
three dormer windows in the pitched
roof. which covers in two attic cham
bers. The door in the hall between its
only two rooms opens fiat upon the
street. which is the business thorough
fare of the town. In the room to the
right as one enters. which is said to have
been Washington's bed chamber, which
he shared with Lafayette, is small
museum wherein are gathered all the
old swords, rifles, guns, and ancient
relics of four generations Of Americans,
and of three Of their wars. Relics of
the Revolution with the spirit of re in
them; relics of the Independence war of
1872; relics Of the Confederate and war
for the Union, 1861. There you could
buy one hundred dollars of Confederate
money for one hundred cents, or get
cavalry sword picked up from dying
"yank" who let it fall, or was it one that
ran the blockade and somehow came
out of the same armory that Uncle Sans
swords and guns did? There, too. are
photographs of all the battlefelds.
monuments and historic spots about
Richmond,-a book full. Places enough
for sightseer to spend month hunt
ing up, while l had to do" the whole
business within the space of three days.
After leaving the vicinity of Capitol
Square it is necessary to take a carriage
to see many of the other sights of the
city not convenient to the car lines. But
the outlay is not begrudged by gener-
GUS minded person who admires the
picturesque topography of city. Rich
mond has that abundantly. She sits on
as many hills as Rome is said to do, and
if she has not the lordly Tiber. she has
the paintable, romantic wandering