The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1910-12-01
LETTER FROM Mr.. CovINGT0N

Stevensburg. Va. Nov. -
To The Free Lance.
II has been fifty years this month
since Mr.. Lincoln was elected pres
ident OF the United States and /
have just found out that had he
lived until now he would have been
l00 years old received ycster-
day a pamphlet on the life of Abra-
ham Lincoln. written in October by
Judge Geo. L. Christian and read 10
r. +. Lee Camp in Richmond and
although he quotes from eminent
Northern and Western men on the
same side with Mr. Lincoln. ! ncV-
er was more astonished in all my
life This little book has only 40
pages and was sent me by Hon Jos
" Binfood. of Richmond was
so interested in 10 when [ took IL
up did not stop until / read every
word of IL and part OF 10 | read
twice. Had Judge Christian writ
ten that book any time within five
years after the war he would have
been hanged on sight 10y any OF the
Northern or Western people. yet
every word he proves by history 20
be facts. The book contains about
10000 words
had always thought Mr.. Lincoln
was % great and good man until
read this book was sorry to
read it, for ! had rather have
good than bad opinion OF anyone
When ! was about TO leave The
reunion of Confederate soldiers in
Norfolk Capt Suth Boiling intro
duccd me 90 one OF Gen Picketts
staff He related an instance
had never heard OF. that during tho
progress of the great battle OF
Gettysburg he was given "a dispatch
70 deliver TO Gen Pickett. bur in
stead OF giving him the dispatch
he gave him a letter he had Tee
ceiyed from his sweetheart Gen.
Pickett looked al 10. said there was
evidently a mistake somewhere and
sent the letter back When the
staff officer looked in his pocket
and found the right paper. this of
ficer told me IL lt had been deiis-
cred 10 Lougstreet he believed Long
street would have had him shot
Strange things so often occur
Can you tell me whether OF rot
Gen Stonewall JacksOn's S arm. which
was amputated. was taken up and
buried with him at Lexington. or
did it remain where in was first
buried? The history OF his life.
written by r. l.. Dabney. d. d.
does not say
Never in all my life had ! heard
such eulogies poured upon the Con
federate soldiers as / did in Nor
fold. especially by Hon. Mr.. Cabell.
OF Portsmouth
One thing | am getting tired OF
Is hearing young men preaching
our funerals an every Confederate
reunion / attend
Well. see il announced in the
papers there is 10 be a marriage in
my house Dec. Z of Miss Mary Mer-
Ger Broaddus. of Newtown. King
and Queen county. TO a Mr. Neal. OF
Chatham This young fellow is in
deed fortunate 10 secure such
prize as she
have just been in Madison co.
and how lovely and prosperous
everything is in the county
Can anyone who reads this give
me a roll of Co. +. 18th Virginia
Infantry? We wish il for State
record
We have had four fires in sight
of our house recently At Mr. Jno.
Paynes, Tom Jones. Wallace Hill in
Stevensburg on Sunday. and
also a barn of Mr. Kite The
last was undoubtedly the work Of
an incendiary.
Recently was buried Miss Sue
Taliaferro She was an elderly
lady, daughter Of DR. Taliaferro. de-
ceased, and sister Of Mrs DR.. J. c.
GraysOn She was indeed a fine
Christian woman, polite, gentle and
kind to all How lonely will be this
home without her She was a faith
ful member Of the Episcopal church.
Mrs. Bette Gibson, who broke
her arm a few weeks ago. is still
at Culpeper and doing as well as
could be expected
Mrs Charles Hit, who has been
al HNh WIN - PhNAA A'f'A 10 vi 'At"
mend A purse Of 800 was raised
for Mr.. Wallace Hit when his
house was burned. We have in
deed a fine lot of citizens around
here
Mr.. RossOn. near here. has sold
his farm and bought one on the
railroad near your city. They are
English people and good ones. man
and wife and two grown sons. and
/ cordially commend them to yuo.
Mr.. Sam Kirk has sold his place
and gone near Seven Pines to live
He hat secured a good place in
Richmond.
My little grandson. who is nine
months old, weighs % pounds. He
is indeed a fine child, nearly ready
TO talk and walk
I'll not give you any personals
They are too numerous to mention.
How I wish | was in your dear
city this a. IN.
Good morning,