Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-05-02
THE LATE GENERAL LEE.

bearing the body of Gen. Fiizhugh Lee
reached Richmond soon after 5 O'Clock
yesterday evening and was met ct the
depot by the military of Richmond, Con-
federate Camps, Daughters of the Con-
federacy, Sons of Veterans and State and
city officials.
The body was placed on a caisson,
drape1 with black and drawn by six
black horses. The band of the Rich
mond Light Infantry Blues led the pro-
cession, which was composed OF the
Seventeen Virginia Regiment, Rich
mond Light Infantry Blues, Richmond
HowiIzers, veterans of Lee aud Pickett
Camps and the State and city authori-
ties. From the depot to the City Hall,
distance of a mile and a bali, the
people formed an unbroken wall, while
from the fronts Of many houses emblems
of mourning we're hung. The City Hall
itself was deeply draped with black
above the entrances AID in the rotunda,
where the body WAS placed and where 1t
will lie in state, guarded by details
from the Richmond military and the
Confederate Veterans, until the hour set
for the funeral.
Hundreds passed through the rotunda
during TIE evening and gazed on the
dead face so we'll known in life to almost
every Virginian.
The casket is hidden by masses OF
flowers contributed by friends from far
and near. From Washington to Rich
mond every town and hamlet contributed
its throng OF silent watchers as the
funeral train sped by. In Fredericks-
burg all business was suspended and the
bells tolled for an hour.
When consul-general Of the United
States at Havana. Cuba, during the
critical period just preceding the war
with Spain, he had to deal with questions
of novelty and great moment, requiring
quick and decisive action, clear intelli-
gence, sound judgment and the highest
order of moral and personal courage.
He ia every instance measured up to the
demands of those times Of trial, difficult
ty and danger, and he won the grateful
and affeclionate admiration of his cOun-
trymen.
He fell, as he wanted to fall, in the
discharge of duty, crowned with honor
and fame.
At the time of his death he was apply
ing himself with energy, enthusiasm and
conspicuous effectiveness to the patriotic
work he had undertaken as president of
the jamestown Exposition Company,
which work had occupied his time for
the past two years. 10 this, as in all
other posts OF trust and honor be earned
and received the approval of his coun-
trymen.
Virginia mourns the death of her IL
lustrious son, aud, in her name, and as
her chief executive, | make this reference
to his distinguished services to her and
to his country, and in further recogni-
ton of those services, it is directed
Firm, That the State library building
and the building in which the governors
Office is now temporarily located, be ap-
propriately draped in mourning.
Second That the Offices of all the
executive and administrative officers be
closed throughout the day on which
General Lees funeral shall take place.
The superintendent of grounds and
buildings will see that these orders are
carried into effect.
Mrs. Rhea and Miss Virginia Lee,
daughters of Gen. Lee, have arrived in
Richmond, and Lieut.. George Mason
Lee il OH the way from San Francisco.
A large number of honorary pail
bearers have been selected, including
representatives from the State, city OF
Richmond, the Conf derate Veterans,
Sons Of Veterans, the militia, &c.
Lieut.. U. S. Grant Sd, grandson o
General Grant, who is stationed in
Washington with the Engineer Corps,
which formed part OF the escort, in
that city yesterday, was the adiutant OF
the escort in charge of the general ar
rangements from the church to the dc
pot and the disposition of the military
and civic organizations in the escort.
Richmond, Va, May 2.-It was de-
termined this morning that the funeral
of General Fitzhugh Lee will take place
from st. Paul's Episcopal Church, at
one O'Clock Thursday, and the burial in
Hollywood Cemetery will Immediately
follow. Bishop A.. NJ. Randolph will
ofilciate and will be assisted by clergy
men whose names are not yet annOunc-
ed. Lieut.. George Mason Lee, U. 5.
A., who is enroute from San Francisco.
telegraphed this morning that he would
reach Washington at one O'Clock tOmor-
row afternoon, and would be in Rich
mond tomorrow night. Lieut. Fitzhugh
Lee, another son, cabled from Manila
last night that he will sail for America
May Is and arrive home about Juue 20.
General Lees body remains in the rotuns
da of the city hail and will lie in state
until short while before the funeral.
A constant stream of people passed
beside the bier. The funeral of Gene
raj Lee will be most imposing in the
South since the interment of the body
of Jefferson Davis here.
Companies of the Seventeen regiment
State militia, will be here from Lynch
burg, Danvile, Culpeper, Siaunton,
Charlottesville and perhaps other points.
The railroads are making announce
ments of reduced fares from points in
Virginia and adjourning southern States.
At meeting Of the general committee