Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1905-01-04
Charges That Jackson's Grave
Was Neglected

A recent issue of the Birming-
ham Ledger. published at Biz.
mingham, Ala, contains an article
from the pen Of Mr.. W. P. Gum,
formerly Of Rockbridge, in which
certain charges as to the neglected
condition of General Stonewall
Jackson's grave are refuted, a
letter from Attorney General
William A. Anderson being used
as the evidence. The article is
as follows !:
Some time since a number OF
Cor federate veterans were en-.
gagged in conversation in the lobby
of the court house in Birmingham
and during the talk grave charges
were made against the citizens of
Lexington, Va, for their neglect
of the grave of General L. j.
(Stonewall) jackson, ard several
of the party stated that they con-
sidered it disgrace to the State
of Virginia and to the people of
Lexington to permit the last rest
ing place of the Christian soldier
to remain unmarked for all these
years and no care nor attention
given to the mound or to the plot
in which the hero was buried" q
Mr.. j. T. S. Wade of East Lake
was present during the talk, which
was very bitter on the part Of
many, and he said that he did not
believe the people of Lexington
had neglected the grave in any
manner, and stated further that
he intended to ascertain if such
was the case. Mr.. Wade at once
addressed a letter to Gov. A. j.
Montague in Richmond, setting
forth the facts as TO the reports
being circulated and asking for
information concerning the same.
Governor Montague referred the
letter to Hon. William A. Ander-
son, attorney general of Virginia,
q resident of Lexington. and a
Confederate soldier whose crippled
limb tells an eloquent story of the
part he played in the struggle De
tween the States. The following
letter from Attorney General An
derson to Governor Montague and
by him forwarded to Mr.. Wade,
has been received and Is given as
answer to the charges made:
Sri have considered the matter
referred to In the letter Of Mr.. J. Il. ).
Wade of East Lake, Ala, mailed me
on the 10th inst, addressed to you and
by you referred to he for information
as to the facts therein mentioned, and
which beg leave to herewith return.
The information received by Mr..
Wade THAT the grave OF General
Jackson at Lexington, is not only un-
marked. but presents evidences Of
neglect" is absolutely without any
in fact.
The remains Of General Jackson are
inferred at Lexington under a hand
some monument erected by the Stone
wall Jackson Memorial Association,
and the monument aud lot upon
which it stands are carefully kept in
good condition, under the direction of
the executive committee Of that asso-
by fund which the associa-
ton has Sc. apart and invested, and
which Is ample for the purpose.
happen to be member OF this
executive committee and personally
know whereof speak, and l have re-
Gently seen the monument and the
ground upon which it stands.
There is also lot in the cemetery
u Lexington whore General JaOkson's |
remains were first buried, and which
s marked by modest but appro
priete monument erected by his widow.
md there is an inscription upon that
which states that General
Jaokson's remains have been removed
rom that spot and inferred under the
'tatue erected to his memory at an
,ther point In that cemetery.
Very truly yours,
WILLIAM A. ANDERSON.