The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-01-19
THE RECUMBENT STATUE
AND MAUSOLEUM

On the day of General Lees funeral
Lee Memorial Association was
formed to erect some fitting monu-
ment as token of the love and ad-
miration of his countrymen, The
president of the association was Gen
John c. Brecginridge of Kentucky;
the chairman of its executive commit
tee, Gen. w. n. Pend1eton, General
Lees chief of artillery.
Mrs. Mary Custic Lee was consult
ed as to the nature of the memorial
and at her suggestion the celebrated
sculptor Ed. V. Valentine, who had
just modelled from life bust of Cen
eral Lee, was called into consultation.
At Mrs. Lees suggestion also, it was
decided to adopt a Recumbent figure
of General Lee, asleep on the field of
battle, and place it on a white marble
sarophagus suitably inscribed and
decorated.
The commission was formally
awarded to Mr.. Valentine on Novem-
Der "a, 1870, a year later his model
was approved and on April 1, 1875 the
monument was completed in Mr.. VAL
entine's Richmond studio.
The students of Richmond College
asked the prilivege OF bearing the ex-
penses of its transportation and fur
nishing an escort. On April 10, 1875,
a great procession accompanied the
figure to the boat landing and for
four days later the long river journey
was ended and the statue formally
consigned to the guardianship of the
students Of Washington and Lee Uni
versity.
The executive committee then
turned it's attention to the still greater
task of erecting a suitable mausoleum
and in 1877 approved and adopted
design kindly furnished, as a labor of
love, by ]. Crawford Nelson, a lead
ing architect of Baltimore.
In 1882 the mausoIcum committee,
having exhausted their funds offered
to transfer the building and monument
to Washington and Lee University If
1t would complete the work. This pro-
posal was accepted, the mausoleum
completed, and the 2Sth of June, 1888,
was selected as the day for the formal
unwilling and dedication.
Honorable jefferson Davis of Mis-
sissippi and Senator John w. Daniel
of Virginia, were selected TO deliver
orations, the first on General Lees
military career, the latter on his life
and character as a citizen. Mr.. Davis,
however, to the regret of all was pre-
vented by ill-health and. growing in
ftrmities from making the journey.
On the 2Sth of June the monument
was unveiled amid vast assemblage
of eX-Confederates and leading citi>
yens from all parts of the country.
A great procession first visited the
grave of Jackson and covered it with
flowers. then returned to hear Sem
ator Daniels thrilling Grafton and the
reading of THE Sword of Lee" by it's
celebrated and beloved author Father
Ryan.
Fifty survivors of the Rockbridge
Artillery using two of their ancient
First Manassas guns, now in the keep
Ing of the Virginia military institute,
under their old leader, Col. VIM. T.
Poague, fired a last salute as the maui
souleum doors were thrown open and
the statue was unveiled by Stonewau
Jacksons daughter. Julia.
1t was a great and solemn day in
the history of the south and of the
nation; a great and immortal name.
heart Stirring Grafton worthy of its
theme, a majestic monument typify-
Ing in spotless marble the purity OF a
matchless character, q second Mount
Vernon where never ending streams o.
reverent pilgrims shall evermore BE-
hushed and uplifted, a great and sa.
cred shrine, the 'South's holy OF holes
where the spirit of the heroic past
keeps watch and ward forever over the
mighty deadt!,