The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1901-06-07
HISTORIC FKi;DEItICKS-
BURG.

The recent visit of Maryland editors to
Fredericksburg afforded an opportunity
to study the characteristic features of an
old Virginia town which is one of the
most historic and interesting places in the
country. Situated near the hcadwaters
of the Rappahannock, in the midst of 4
beautiful and productive country, inhab-
tied by a hospitable people, adorned by a
glorious past, boasting of prosperous
present, and hopeful of a more prosperous
future, Fredericksburg is, indeed, an at
tractivc town. Particularly so did it seem
to the party of thirty ladies and gentle
men who visited it on the Goth ultimo, and
from whom SO much is due to the courte-
Gus citizens for attentions.
The writer desires to make special
acknow ledgment for kindness extended
to him and several of his friends by Mr..
A. P. Rowe, of the local press. In his
carriage we visited the National Cemetery
where are buried over II, 900 Union sold
iers who fell in the bloody battle at that
point December IS, 1868. Near the en-
trance of the grounds there stands most
beautiful monument erected in recent
wears and costing ten thousand dollars.
1t is needless to say that, like all things
over which Uncle Sam exercises proprie-
torship. this cemetery is kept in perfect
order. The visit to Marye's Hill, where
the famous charge was made by Burnsides
men and who were driven back with such
fearful carnage, was rendered particularly
interesting by the presence in our little
party of Mr.. George W. Wilson, of this
town, who was one Of the Boys who
Wore the Grey" on that memorable occa-
sion, and, while he did not take part in
the actual fighting, he pointed out to US the
exact spot where his cannon was planted
in expectation of a renewal Of the attack
on the following morning, but which Gen.
Burnside decided not to make.
Fredericksburg distinction does not
rest alone upon being the scene of great
battle, and in bearing the scars of that
terrific conflict, some of its houses even
now having cannon balls buried in their
walls and partly visible 1t was an incor
porated town almost a century and
quarter ago, and in those early times had
a trade extending beyond the Blue Ridge.
1t has Masonic Lodge which was organ
lied in 1 735 and in which Gen. Washington
received his third degree in 1913. Through
the kindness of one Of its officers we were
shown the old Bible, printed in 1868, upon
which the Father of his Country was obi
gated, some of the records of the Lodge
one hundred and fifty years old, and
many other relics of the silent past. In
the city there are many instances of the
min Cling of the old and the new. A
beautiful memorial church of modern de-
sign stands nearly opposite the Episcopal
Church which dates back to 1882. Colo
NAL homes with stone steps nearly worn
out by the foot prints of many generations
excite the curiosity, while on the other
side of the street picturesque cottages,
characteristic of the new era, dot the land
scape. Modern mercantile buildings rear
their graceful proportions amid the totter-
ing structures of past years.
One of the most attractive to tourists of
the old houses of Fredericksburg is the
one in which the mother of Gen. Wash
in gton passed the last years of her life
and in which she died. 1t is an old fash
toned structure but in good state of pres
ervation, and is owned by patriotic
society of ladies who will preserve it for
its historic associations. Nearby this old
home is kenmore" the homestead where
Mrs. Bette Lewis, the sister of Washing
ton, lived This property is now owned
by a wealthy person who takes pride IN
keeping it in beautiful order, preserving
its antique characteristics. Opposite
kenmore is the tomb of Mary Washing
ton, marked 10y magnificent shaft % feet
high erected by the women of the country
and unveiled in 1894 with impressive cere-
monies, in which President Cleveland par
ticipated. This monument took the place
of one which was begun during President
Jacksons administration in 1888, but
never finished.
Of unusual interest also, at least to the
writer, was an Academy established in the
eighteenth century by some French refu
gees, gentlemen of refinement and culture,
which was operated for a long time as
successful classical school, and which
bears upon its roll of students the names
of Presidents Madison and Monroe.
F.S