Editorial Paragraphs.
The reunion of the Virginia division of the army of Northern Virginia Association will take place on Wednesday, October 29th, 1879, in the State Capitol at Richmond. General Fitz. Lee is the chosen orator of the occasion, and will speak on “Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville.” With his personal knowledge of the subject, and the earnest study he is giving the official reports and other authorities on both sides, we shall expect from our gallant friend, “General Fitz,” a most entertaining address and a valuable contribution to this important chapter of our glorious annals.
The annual meeting of the Southern Historical Society will occur on Thursday, October 30th, 1879, in the State Capitol at Richmond. Our programme, which has not yet been fully arranged, will be duly announced; but we are expecting a pleasant and profitable meeting.
The monument to the “unknown dead,” at Winchester, Virginia, we have fully described as at the same time a beautiful work of art and a fitting tribute to the memory of those noble heroes who sleep around it. We are indebted to the committee for a beautifully executed photograph of the monument, which we doubly prize and appreciate as coming from that source, and so gracefully tendered. The “monument fund” is not yet fully raised, and we really do not know how a true Confederate could make a better investment than by either making the committee a direct contribution, or buying this photograph, which is sold for the benefit of the fund.
The “Maryland shaft” for Stonewall Cemetery, Winchester, has been fully provided for. On returning from the unveiling of the monument at Winchester, the “Confederate army and Navy Association” of Baltimore went to work at once, and in a few weeks had raised a sum amply sufficient to provide a “Maryland shaft” for the Maryland section of the cemetery at Winchester. Well done for Maryland! And now what State will follow next? Let comrades in the other States see to it that their dead are thus honored.
The recumbent figure of Lee, by Valentine, is certainly one of the most beautiful works of art in this country. Indeed, when the mausoleum at Lexington is completed, and this figure placed in it, there will be [496] universal rejoicing that the grave of Lee is so appropriately decorated, and pilgrims from every clime will pronounce it one of the finest works of art in the world. M. Miley, of Lexington, Virginia, has sent us two superb photographs of this recumbent figure, which, in accuracy of likeness and elegance of finish, we regard as among the finest specimens of the photographer's art we have ever seen. We have had occasion before to commend Miley's splendid photographs of Confederate leaders, and we do not hesitate to say that he has, by his beautiful art, placed all true Confederates under highest obligations for preserving such accurate likenesses of Lee, Davis, Breckinridge and others of our illustrious leaders. The photographs which he now kindly sends us, reproduce to the life Valentine's Lee, with all of the beauties of the drapery, &c. They are sold for the benefit of the mausoleum fund.
The death of General John B. Hood, in New Orleans, August 30th, of yellow fever, is announced just as we are going to press, and we have only space to say that another gallant soldier, true patriot and hightoned gentleman has fallen at the post of duty, and will be universally lamented by his old comrades. Peace to his ashes! All honor to his memory!
