Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 18.djvu/135

 Robert Edward Lee. 135

AT GENERAL LEE'S MONUMENT.

The ceremonies at the monument-grounds were very brief but inter- esting, and in their picturesqueness tended to remind those there assembled of the unveiling of the statue last May.

Just as the line passed out of Franklin street it was reviewed by Governor McKinney and Mayor Ellyson from the porch of Mr. R. W. Powers' s elegant residence, the last on the street, while a youth in the yard below held aloft a beautiful silk State flag.

The column then marched around the monument, the infantry passing onward taking a position in the open field several hundred yards to the north. The cavalry followed in the same direction, while the artillery wheeled into position considerably to the left. The vet- erans were drawn up around the monument.

SALUTE AND MUSIC.

The regiment then fired a salute, firing at will. The bands played " Dixie," " Carry Me Back to Old Virginia," " Bonnie Blue Flag," and " My Maryland." The artillery then fired a salute.

There were some manoeuvres of the cavalry; the infantry was marched back to the west side of the monument, formed into a dress- parade line, and photographed.

The line was then marched back to the city.

MAJOR STRINGFELLOW'S EULOGY.

The programme of the day was concluded at night at Sanger Hall with a banquet.

At 9 o'clock Lee Camp and numerous invited guests, in all about three hundred and fifty, sat down to a splendid spread of choice viands.

These were discussed with earnestness, and for about three-fourths of an hour knives and forks did good service. At the end of that time Commander Archer introduced Mayor Ellyson as toast-master, who announced that he had communications of regret for absence from W. A. Smoot, of R. E. Lee Camp, Alexandria, Va. ; Hugh R. Smith, of A. P. Hill Camp, Petersburg; Captain Sol. Cutchins, of the Richmond Light Infantry Blues, and Captain C. Gray Bossieux, of the Grays.