Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 35.djvu/112

98 of the century, always and all the time excepting our peerless leader, Robert Edward Lee."

There are many old Confederates who believe that with Lee to plan, and Jackson to execute, that the Army of Northern Virginia was simply invincible. And it was beautiful to behold the mutual confidence which these great leaders had in each other. They were, indeed, par nobile fratum, and it seems very appropriate that in their graves they would sleep so near each other Lee beneath the chapel he built at Washington and Lee University; Jackson in Lexington's beautiful cemetery, hard by.

They were born, Lee on the 10th of January, and Jackson on the 31st of the same month. Cavalier and Puritan, but brothers in arms, brothers in faith, and brothers in glory, they will shine forever in the world's gala y of true patriotism, stainless gentlemen, great soldiers and model Christians. "They were swifter than eagles; they were stronger than lions; they were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided."

From all parts of the world pilgrims come to visit their tombs, and loving hands bring them fresh flowers, immortelles and evergreens, fit emblems of the fadeless wreaths which now deck their brows. The blue mountains of their loved Virginia sentinel their graves, and young men from every section throng the classic shades of Washington and Lee University and the Virginia Military Institute, and delight to keep watch and ward at which flow along their emerald streams that seem to murmur their praise and roll on their fame to the ocean.