The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1905-10-03

On a baImy September day nine
years ago I left Washington. D. c, by
train for the historic old town OF
Fredericksburg. Va. to meet the Hon
william Jennings Bryan, candidate OF
the Democratic and Silver parties for
the presidency IN the campaign Of 80,
and who win be HonoIuIu's guest or
honor today. Mr. Bryan had been
making a tour Of the Southern States.
and Immediately following his famous
address in Richmond. Va, the joint
committee OF the Democratic and
silver parties. representing the respec-
tive headquarters then established at
the national capital. started south 10
meet the standard bearer at Freder-
icksburg ana escort him TO Washing
ton
As Assistant Secretary OF the Ma
tionaI Silver Party and Executive Com
mittee, and Recorder of the National
Association of Silver Clubs, was
selected by Secretary Dienenderfer 10
represent the silver headquarters On
days at all the headquarters. and, as
the youngest attache Of the national
committee, I was the only one who
could be spared for the two days re
quired TO go TO Fredericksburg.
On reaching Fredericksburg on Fin
day, September IS, 1896. I found the
sleepy old Virginia town on the qui
vive, if such live term can be ap-
piled TO The inhabitants of any his
toric southern town. As arrived late
in the afternoon and the Bryan parry
was not expected until the following
morning, 1 had ample opportunity TO
inspect the place at leisure.
Fredericksburg. How the name was
associated with the stirring events OF
the great battle fought in its streets
in So by the veteran blue-elad troops
Of Burnside and The gallant gray-elad
legions of the leader OF the Southern
army, Robert E. Lee As the train
approached the Rappahannock River,
on whose south bank the town lies,
leaned far out OF the car window TO
scan what I thought would be a broad
sheet of water I was disappointed 10
ind il somewhat narrow. and I could
barely realize that for the possession
Of this river the Union troops by
thousands were unable 10 cross II under
the whitening fire of Confederate mus
kets directed by sharpshooters con-
eealed in the warehouses on the Fred
shore. The attempt to lay
/ pontoon bridge across the water and
The terrible loss Of life resulting there |
rom, and finally the successful sortie |
n boats, the disIodgment Of the Con- |
,ederates from the warehouses and |
he destruction Of the latter by Fed |
eraI cannon. all came vfvidly before |
ny imagination as the train rolled /
across the river But only a few ruin |
d stone chimneys now stand on the |
Fredericksburg shore TO mark the site |
# those warehouse blockhouses.
And then what queer, narrow streets
stepping stones. raised few inches
-bove the roadway. served the inhabit-
.nts Of the town n 1886 as they had
hundred years before The streets
we're lined with quaint brick houses
With roofs sloping toward them The
arrow doorways, hanked with white
ainted frames with curved windows
oove, were genuine types Of Colonial
rchitecture. Old-rime taverns and
ne old homes decayed with time. were
Il far back from the streets, and some
ere dirlIy lighted IN the evening,
1ggesring that in some Of them the
Id-rime custom Of using candles Tor
Citing purposes had not been sup
lanted BY modern inventions.
Al dawn thu next day 7 arose early
I'd wandered through the streets, pic
Iring 10 myself the fierce fighting
mich occurred there as the Federals
ogged The thoroughfaras and drove
l. Rebel ssfrrnishers back 10 the
Heights" Then IS 7 came into the
pen country beyond the town look
! IN vain for The Heights As q
.ade- of the battles of the great civil 7
ruggIe I had pictured the Heights 7
Fredericksburg as towering noun
ins On whose sides Confederate can !
n and bayoneCs had fairly bristled-
position we'll nigh impregnaole TO .
,ccessfuI assault Alas Ny concep-
1ns OF the Heights" were all awry.
= raIIIrg hIILs. sons EEttle higher thal .