Robert E. Lee
Richmond in Mourning–Message of Gov. Walker to the Virginia Legislature–The General’s Remains to be
Buried by the State–The Collector of Savannah Orders the Flag at Full Mast–Grief in the SouthRichmond, Oct. 13–Richmond presents today a scene of mourning hardly witnessed
in this generation. The stores and public buildings are all closed. The bells
in all parts of the city are tolling. On many doors are pictures and photographs
of Gen. Lee, draped in crape, with evergreen. The citizens are standing in groups
on the principal thoroughfares and talking in subdued tones of the sad event.
The feeling that he ought to be buried here, at the State’s expense, is universal,
and the Legislature, in making this request of his family, reiterated the public
desire. The City Council met this afternoon, at the call of the Mayor. Gov. Walker
sent the following Message to the General Assembly:"It is with unaffected grief that I announce to you the painful intelligence
of the death of Gen. Robert E. Lee at Lexington, yesterday morning. He died
as he had lived, a noble example of the sublime principles and teachings of
the Christian religion. He goes down to the tomb amid the lamentations of an
affectionate and sorrowing people. Of exalted public and private virtue in his
life and career, he filled up the full measure of our conception of a man. A
stricken family, a bereaved State and an afflicted people bow with reverence
and humility before this visitation of Divine Providence. It is fitting that
you, the representatives of the people, should take such appropriate action
as the melancholy occasion suggests, and I believe you would but give expression
to the universal desire of the people should you solicit the interment of the
remains upon the grounds owned by the State of Hollywood Cemetery, where hereafter
they may raise a monumental shaft commemorative alike of their sincere and lasting
affection for the man and their profound appreciation of his greatness and goodness."After the reading of Gov. Walker’s message, a joint resolution was unanimously
passed expressive of the deep sorrow of both Houses at the sad event, and requesting
that the body be turned over to the State for interment at Hollywood Cemetery,
near this city. A joint committee, consisting of five members of the House and
two of the Senate, and their presiding officers, was appointed to go to Lexington
and escort the remains here, if the request be granted.The Tobacco Association met today, and suspended its session for the day as
a mark of respect to the memory of Gen. Lee. The City Council also met, and
adopted a series of appropriate resolutions, and appointed a committee to act
in concert with the Legislative Committee to ask that, in deference to the wishes
of our people, that the remains be brought to Richmond for interment. The Committee
will leave for Lexington tomorrow morning. The flags of the shipping and all
public buildings, except the Custom-house, were at half-mast. All places of
amusement were closed tonight, and general quiet and gloom pervades the city.
He will be buried on Saturday, Oct. 15, at 12 o’clock. The place selected for
his interment is a vault beneath the College chapel, which stands in the midst
of the College grounds. This was the first building he had erected after his
removal to Lexington, having declared that it was proper that the first thing
the College did should be to dedicate a house to the services of religion. Here
he will rest, surrounded by the monuments of his latter years. The corpse was
removed today from his residence to the chapel, where it will lie in state until
midday on Saturday next. Today the Faculty of Washington College, the Faculty
of Virginia Military Institute and the students of Washington College held meetings,
and passed appropriate resolutions of condolence and respect to the illustrious
deceased, who asserted at the surrender of Appomattox Court-house that "human
virtue should be equal to human calamity."Washington, Oct. 13–The following was received today, by Secretary Boutwell,
from Collector Robb, of Savannah, Ga., dated today:"I have just this moment learned that the flag on the Custom-house was
at half-mast for the death of Gen. Lee. It was ordered by my deputies without
my knowledge. I have ordered the flag at full mast. Much public feeling is manifested
at my action. Shall the flag be lowered again? Answer immediately."In response to the above, Secretary Boutwell has telegraphed to Mr. Robb approving
his action.Memphis, Oct. 13–The news of the death of Gen. Lee causes profound sorrow
here. The bells will be tolled today, and some public expression of sorrow of
the citizens will be made.Wilmington, N. C., Oct. 13–The intelligence of Gen. Lee’s death created a
profound sensation in this community, and calls vividly to mind many associations
connected with his visit here in April last. Today, flags on the shipping were
generally at half-mast, also on the British and Danish Consulate. The annual
meeting of the Chamber of Commerce adjourned today, out of respect to the memory
of the dead hero, and they appointed a Committee to make arrangements for the
suspension of business and the tolling of bells on the day of the funeral, and
for a public meeting of the citizens to take suitable action in the matter.
The universal feeling among all classes and parties here is that a great and
good man has fallen.New Orleans, Oct. 13–The death of Gen. Lee casts a gloom over this community.
The morning papers are dressed in mourning, and flags on the shipping, both
foreign and domestic, are displayed at half-mast, and many are draped in mourning.
The Board of Brokers adjourned last evening out of respect to Gen. Lee, and
Judge Dibble this morning adjourned the Eighth District Court as a tribute of
respect to the deceased. In the course of his remarks, Judge Dibble said that
his purpose was to honor a heroic and honorable citizen, who, by his bearing,
had won the admiration and affection of every heart in the land. The motion
to adjourn was made by John H. New, who delivered a touching tribute to his
memory. The following card has been signed by many of the most prominent merchants
and business firms in the city: "We, the undersigned merchants, suggest
to our fellow-citizens that all business be suspended tomorrow, (Friday,) out
of respect to the memory of Gen. R. E. Lee."Selma, Ala., Oct. 13–The city has been in mourning all day in honor of Gen.
Lee. All business houses are closed. The church bells tolled, and a public address
was delivered at the Opera-house to a great crowd, by Gen. John T. Morgan. The
grief of the people is deep and universal.Atlanta, Ga., Oct. 13–Both houses of the Legislature have adopted a resolution
to adjourn tomorrow, until Monday, to attend the obsequies, on Saturday, of
Gen. Lee. The citizens are arranging for imposing ceremonies. Gen. John B. Gordon
is expected to deliver a eulogy.Grief at Washington College–The General’s Last Sickness and Death
Lexington, Va., Oct. 13–This community was plunged into profound sorrow upon
the announcement of the death of Gen. Lee. There was a general suspension of
the duties of Washington College, the Virginia Military Institute, and the minor
schools, and they will not resume again until after the final interment of the
great chieftain. Every business house in the community was closed, and crape
affixed to the doors, and a general expression of deep grief was visible in
every face. Washington College, the College Chapel, the Virginia Military Institute,
and the Episcopal Church, of which Gen. Lee was a communicant, were draped in
mourning a few hours after his death. Gen. Lee had been almost entirely unconscious
since Monday night last, and he expired very peacefully and quietly at 9-1/2
o’clock Wednesday morning.. He was first taken sick on Wednesday evening, Sept.
28, while just about to set down to tea, when he suddenly sank in his chair
insensible. A reaction soon followed, and in the course of the next ten days
he steadily improved, until it was hoped that he was out of danger, but on Monday
evening he became suddenly and rapidly worse, and continued to sink until Wednesday
morning. During the early part of his sickness he slept much and spoke but little,
but was rational when he awoke, and always recognized those who approached him.
At times his mind seemed, for a little while, to wander, and on several occasions
reverted to the army. He once ordered his tent to be struck, and at another
time desired that Hill should be sent for. He suffered but comparatively little
pain during his whole sickness.Richmond, Oct. 13–Richmond presents today a scene of mourning hardly witnessed
in this generation. The stores and public buildings are all closed. The bells
in all parts of the city are tolling. On many doors are pictures and photographs
of Gen. Lee, draped in crape, with evergreen. The citizens are standing in groups
on the principal thoroughfares and talking in subdued tones of the sad event.
The feeling that he ought to be buried here, at the State’s expense, is universal,
and the Legislature, in making this request of his family, reiterated the public
desire. The City Council met this afternoon, at the call of the Mayor. Gov. Walker
sent the following Message to the General Assembly:"It is with unaffected grief that I announce to you the painful intelligence
of the death of Gen. Robert E. Lee at Lexington, yesterday morning. He died
as he had lived, a noble example of the sublime principles and teachings of
the Christian religion. He goes down to the tomb amid the lamentations of an
affectionate and sorrowing people. Of exalted public and private virtue in his
life and career, he filled up the full measure of our conception of a man. A
stricken family, a bereaved State and an afflicted people bow with reverence
and humility before this visitation of Divine Providence. It is fitting that
you, the representatives of the people, should take such appropriate action
as the melancholy occasion suggests, and I believe you would but give expression
to the universal desire of the people should you solicit the interment of the
remains upon the grounds owned by the State of Hollywood Cemetery, where hereafter
they may raise a monumental shaft commemorative alike of their sincere and lasting
affection for the man and their profound appreciation of his greatness and goodness."After the reading of Gov. Walker’s message, a joint resolution was unanimously
passed expressive of the deep sorrow of both Houses at the sad event, and requesting
that the body be turned over to the State for interment at Hollywood Cemetery,
near this city. A joint committee, consisting of five members of the House and
two of the Senate, and their presiding officers, was appointed to go to Lexington
and escort the remains here, if the request be granted.The Tobacco Association met today, and suspended its session for the day as
a mark of respect to the memory of Gen. Lee. The City Council also met, and
adopted a series of appropriate resolutions, and appointed a committee to act
in concert with the Legislative Committee to ask that, in deference to the wishes
of our people, that the remains be brought to Richmond for interment. The Committee
will leave for Lexington tomorrow morning. The flags of the shipping and all
public buildings, except the Custom-house, were at half-mast. All places of
amusement were closed tonight, and general quiet and gloom pervades the city.
He will be buried on Saturday, Oct. 15, at 12 o’clock. The place selected for
his interment is a vault beneath the College chapel, which stands in the midst
of the College grounds. This was the first building he had erected after his
removal to Lexington, having declared that it was proper that the first thing
the College did should be to dedicate a house to the services of religion. Here
he will rest, surrounded by the monuments of his latter years. The corpse was
removed today from his residence to the chapel, where it will lie in state until
midday on Saturday next. Today the Faculty of Washington College, the Faculty
of Virginia Military Institute and the students of Washington College held meetings,
and passed appropriate resolutions of condolence and respect to the illustrious
deceased, who asserted at the surrender of Appomattox Court-house that "human
virtue should be equal to human calamity."Washington, Oct. 13–The following was received today, by Secretary Boutwell,
from Collector Robb, of Savannah, Ga., dated today:"I have just this moment learned that the flag on the Custom-house was
at half-mast for the death of Gen. Lee. It was ordered by my deputies without
my knowledge. I have ordered the flag at full mast. Much public feeling is manifested
at my action. Shall the flag be lowered again? Answer immediately."In response to the above, Secretary Boutwell has telegraphed to Mr. Robb approving
his action.Memphis, Oct. 13–The news of the death of Gen. Lee causes profound sorrow
here. The bells will be tolled today, and some public expression of sorrow of
the citizens will be made.Wilmington, N. C., Oct. 13–The intelligence of Gen. Lee’s death created a
profound sensation in this community, and calls vividly to mind many associations
connected with his visit here in April last. Today, flags on the shipping were
generally at half-mast, also on the British and Danish Consulate. The annual
meeting of the Chamber of Commerce adjourned today, out of respect to the memory
of the dead hero, and they appointed a Committee to make arrangements for the
suspension of business and the tolling of bells on the day of the funeral, and
for a public meeting of the citizens to take suitable action in the matter.
The universal feeling among all classes and parties here is that a great and
good man has fallen.New Orleans, Oct. 13–The death of Gen. Lee casts a gloom over this community.
The morning papers are dressed in mourning, and flags on the shipping, both
foreign and domestic, are displayed at half-mast, and many are draped in mourning.
The Board of Brokers adjourned last evening out of respect to Gen. Lee, and
Judge Dibble this morning adjourned the Eighth District Court as a tribute of
respect to the deceased. In the course of his remarks, Judge Dibble said that
his purpose was to honor a heroic and honorable citizen, who, by his bearing,
had won the admiration and affection of every heart in the land. The motion
to adjourn was made by John H. New, who delivered a touching tribute to his
memory. The following card has been signed by many of the most prominent merchants
and business firms in the city: "We, the undersigned merchants, suggest
to our fellow-citizens that all business be suspended tomorrow, (Friday,) out
of respect to the memory of Gen. R. E. Lee."Selma, Ala., Oct. 13–The city has been in mourning all day in honor of Gen.
Lee. All business houses are closed. The church bells tolled, and a public address
was delivered at the Opera-house to a great crowd, by Gen. John T. Morgan. The
grief of the people is deep and universal.Atlanta, Ga., Oct. 13–Both houses of the Legislature have adopted a resolution
to adjourn tomorrow, until Monday, to attend the obsequies, on Saturday, of
Gen. Lee. The citizens are arranging for imposing ceremonies. Gen. John B. Gordon
is expected to deliver a eulogy.Grief at Washington College–The General’s Last Sickness and Death
Lexington, Va., Oct. 13–This community was plunged into profound sorrow upon
the announcement of the death of Gen. Lee. There was a general suspension of
the duties of Washington College, the Virginia Military Institute, and the minor
schools, and they will not resume again until after the final interment of the
great chieftain. Every business house in the community was closed, and crape
affixed to the doors, and a general expression of deep grief was visible in
every face. Washington College, the College Chapel, the Virginia Military Institute,
and the Episcopal Church, of which Gen. Lee was a communicant, were draped in
mourning a few hours after his death. Gen. Lee had been almost entirely unconscious
since Monday night last, and he expired very peacefully and quietly at 9-1/2
o’clock Wednesday morning.. He was first taken sick on Wednesday evening, Sept.
28, while just about to set down to tea, when he suddenly sank in his chair
insensible. A reaction soon followed, and in the course of the next ten days
he steadily improved, until it was hoped that he was out of danger, but on Monday
evening he became suddenly and rapidly worse, and continued to sink until Wednesday
morning. During the early part of his sickness he slept much and spoke but little,
but was rational when he awoke, and always recognized those who approached him.
At times his mind seemed, for a little while, to wander, and on several occasions
reverted to the army. He once ordered his tent to be struck, and at another
time desired that Hill should be sent for. He suffered but comparatively little
pain during his whole sickness.Copyright 2006 The New York Times Company
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