Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-06-08
TO UNVEIL SHAFT
TO GENERAL LEE
Old Soldiers and Other Notables
Will Assemble at Vicksburg To
Honor Memory of Confederate
Chieftain.

United Confederate Veterans reunion at
Memphis many OF the old soldiers ana
other notables will assemble here to
attend the unwilling OF a statue Of the
late General stephen Dill Lee. who was
commander-in-chfef OF the Confederate
organization at the time OF his death.
1t was in the siege Of Vicksburg that
General Lee won his spurs a dashing
and intrepid commander. and the last
years OF his life were devoted 10 the
perfection OF the great national military
park here. General Lee died at Vicks-
burg Mag IS. 1905. and IL is peculiarly
fitting that the south's memorial statue
20 him should be erected on the spot
which he loved so well. On the same
day another monument to his memory,
though smaller in size. will be unveiled
az the State Agricultural and Mechani-
cal college at Starkville. Miss, as he
was the first president Of that institu-
ton This memorial. though Of lesser
Importance than TIE Vicksburg statue.
nevertheless emphasizes the universal
affection OF the people OF Mississippi
for him Another monument will be
placed at the grave in Columbus. where
the old commander sleeps in everlast-
ing rest.
PROMINENT MEN COMING.
North, south. east and west viii send
celebrities 10 do nOnor TO the memory
o. eale chivalrous soldier OF Dixie.
Major General Frederick Dent Grant. Of
the Department OF the Lakes. has been
delegated by the secretary Of war to
receive the statue on the part OF the
United States. which viii be officially
presented to him by General Clement
A Evans, OF Georgia. commandment
chief OF the United Confederate Veter-
ans; Colonel George X Peck, Of Chica-
60, will be orator OF the day, and Henry
Watterson. OF Kentucky, the veteran
editor OF the Louisville Courier-Journal,
viii be master Of ceremonies and pre-
side at the auspicious occasion. Manv
OF the last surviving generals OF the
Confederacy and other eminent men will
be present. Secretary OF War Jacob NJ.
Dickinson, who was a fellow-townsmsn
OF General Lee at Columbus, has ex-
pressed his keenest regrets that official
duties would prevent him from being
present
The weII-known sculptor. Henry Hud-
son Kitson. OF Quincy, Mass, who de-
signed the statue. will be present TO d.
rect the placing OF his handwork. he is
he creator OF many handsome monuments
OF various northern states already com
pleted and dedicated IN the Vicksburg
National Military park In his work ne
knew General Lee, then one OF the park
commissioners. and put his best efforts
into this statue.
TO UNvEIL MONUMENT.
The unwilling OF the monument viii
occur at 3 o'clock in the afternoon IN
the National Military park Hospitable
vIcksburg will welcome thousands Of Mis-
slssippIans and Louisianians within her
gates
Sanders. Of louisiana. with their respect
De STATS, viii be present and the division
oeacers Of the Confederate organization
viii arrive from Memphis on the morning
OF June IL
Already the vicksburg people have
thrown heart and soul into the work or
assisting In the exercises, in an effort
70 make IL one Of the most memorable
occasions since the siege Of the historic
CITY. Citizens committees have arranged
for every detail. the local military COM
panies will fire salutes, and hundreds oil
schol children will Join in patriotic songs
The statue is Of life size and repre-
seuts General Lee in q moment OF tri-
uuph after one OF his victories IN
skfrnnish about Vicksburg- II stands on
a redoubt in the military park near the
a
commanding inminence- He was then IN
the fun development Of young manhood
and the nose is both noble and heroic.
STATUE COST S1.Ooo
The statue cost y11.OOO. II is tribute
Of affection from his only son. Blewut
Lee. OF Chicago; Captain William l. Rig
nv chairman OF the Vicksburg National
NfIItarv Park commission. and hundreds
81 veterans OF the south. who followed
the late general in battle. and others who
admired him Rigby. although northern
soldier born in Iowa. was associated Win
General Lee when the latter was him.
self chairman of the park commission III
constant association he grew 10 love the
modest southerner. whose declining years
80 devoted to cementing the ties OF
hrosberbood between the north and south.
a little time before his death General
Tea Captain Rizby and Colonel John {.
Everest Of Chicago. three members OF
the mark commission. were making an
INSPECTION OF the beautiful park Mheh
they reached the railroad redouot. where
General Lees greatest victory was Won
STOOD IN SAME SPOT.
As they stood upon this eminence Cap
..gr PtVbv went 20 General Lee and asked
Rim 10 stand again upon the spot where ne
had directed the movements Of his troops,
explaining 10 him that years later Wnen
he had passed away, he wanted a monu-
nent erected upon the very spot TO COM
uemorate his triumph. General Lee
Welded 20 the request. and said: "Rigby'
YOU are all very good TO me-" Captain
Rieby marked the spot, and IL Is there
the statue TO General Lee will stand
forever as a memorial
Among the contributors TO the statue
fund was former President Roosevelt, VINO
admired General Lee.
General Stephen Dill Lee was born at
Charleston. South Carolina. September p,
iszs. and spent his boyhood in the Caro-
unas.
GRADUATED FROM WEST POINT.
He graduated from West Point in 1884
as nrst lieutenant OF artillery. He was
ASSIGNED to the Fourth United States
artillery and was connected with that arm
Of the military service until he resigned
In 1851 to cast his fortunes with the south,
10 whose cause he offered his heart and
sword. He was one OF the two officers
sent by General Beauregard TO demand
the surrender Of Fort Sumter. and when
the order was refused commanded the
nearest water battery TO open fire. He
was captain In Hampton's legion. where
he served until November. 1861, when he
was commissioned major OF artillery. and
in 1852 was appointed lieutenant colonel
and gained distinction at Seven Pines
and the battles OF The Wilderness. In
-. r,ora ~ar,nafgu in 1879 he was promot-