Day 2: Lexington, VA "Do it Well"

On our second day, we were in Lexington most of the day. We started out at Washington and Lee University, where Gen. Robert E. Lee became President after the War. I had never seen the Presidents Mansion, which Lee himself designed and lived in until his death. I don't believe you can tour this one, I think it is still the residence of the University President. After we saw Lee's House, we walked toward Lee's Chapel, took some pictures and then walked down the street to VMI or Virginia Military Institute. Both campuses are right next to each other. We walked around the parade grounds and then into the VMI Chapel. In the basement of the Chapel is the new gift shop and museum. There you can see things like Stonewall Jacksons VMI uniform he wore at the first battle of Manassas, His horse 'Little Sorrel' who is mounted, and saddle, and also the raincoat Jackson was wearing when shot by his own men at Chancellorsville. There are also some very interesting exhibits from the history of VMI. The gift shop was probably the best one we encountered on the entire trip. At noon, everyday, there is a cadet guided tour of VMI that meets in the gift shop. This is one thing I have never done at VMI and I have always wanted my father to go on, so we did that. We were taken around by Cadet McFather, who was sharply dressed wearing his dress white uniform. One of the most impressive scenes of the whole trip happened on this tour. While walking outside the Chapel, an older gentleman walked by in a shirt and shorts, and as Cadet McFather was talking to us, he stopped and said "How are you today Sir?" in which the older gentleman replied, "Well, how are you?" Cadet McFather then replied, "Doing my job, Sir." and then the other gentleman said, "Do it well." Cadet McFather said, "Yes sir." This man must have been a superior and at least professor, but the whole scene was very impressive. I can only say, if you have a son, especially in his teenage years, visiting and touring VMI should leave a mark. The organization and discipline of the young men and women there is outstanding. We also learned of their 'Honor Code' and unlike West Point Academy, who gives three strikes, VMI only gives one. In the first picture below, is inside the VMI Chapel. The flags hanging from the ceiling are those states that composed of the Union when VMI was founded. The Painting on the wall is of the Battle of New Market, where VMI cadets were marched and called to battle, charging an artillery battery and helped to win the battle.

From there we walked back to Lee's Chapel, which Gen. Lee had built at Washington and Lee University while President. Inside is a life size sculpture of Gen. Lee resting on his camp cot. It is a beautiful marble statue, which I wish you could take pictures of, but none are allowed. Underneath this statue, downstairs is the Lee family crypt. Gen. Lee, his wife and sons and daughters, and also his father, Revolutionary War hero, Gen. 'Lighthorse' Harry Lee are all buried there. Lee's office is also intact the way he left it, and Traveller is buried right outside the back door.

After touring VMI and Washington and Lee University, we took a tour of Stonewall Jackson's house in town. Again, no photography is allowed inside. I have toured this house before, and I have to say the tour this time was a little disappointing. We were told during the tour, that we don't really know what Gen. Jackson believed about slavery, and also that we didn't know exactly why he fought in the War, other than he was a member of the Virginia State Militia. I had to bite my tongue, because if you have ever read R.L. Dabney's book or his Life and Letters, by his wife, Mary Anna, I believe that we do know what he thought and why he fought. Anyway, the other thing I noticed, and it wasn't just here, but they would say things like Jackson had a 'strong belief in his faith', which may be nothing, but I wish they would say 'his faith in God and the Lord Jesus Christ.' These men's faith was not in their faith, it was in Almighty God and they found their rest in His Son, Jesus Christ. I just find it heartbreaking, and I believe a dishonor to these men and to God, to not tell the whole truth. Maybe it is the 'politically correct' thing to say, but I don't agree. But I would recommend the tour, it is the only one in Lexington that we took that you had to actually pay to tour, but just to see the house where Jackson and his wife lived is worth it.

Back home from Virginia! Day 1

We are back in Nashville after our Virginia, Shenandoah Valley trip. I am sure more post are to come and pictures! We had a great time, and saw some really amazing things and places. Its amazing that I have been to some of these places several times now, yet every new time there is something to see that I didn't know about before. We started off in Lexington, Va on Friday afternoon and our first stop was Stonewall Jackson Cemetery. I obviously knew about Stonewall Jackson's grave and monument there, but since my last visit I found out that others like, 'Sandy' Pendelton, Jackson's adjutant and also William Pendelton, Sandy's father, who was an Artillery Commander under Jackson are buried there as well. Also, Governor Letcher, who was the Governor of Virginia when she seceded from the Union was from Lexington and is buried there as well. There were many more and what a beautiful setting for these very important people to rest.

The first stop on our way to Virginia was Rutledge, TN which is north of Knoxville in East Tennessee. My mother's family is from there and our family cemetery is there. I have not been there in probably five years or so and with my parents with us, I thought it would be great for Ashley to see where my family was from. My mother informed me on our way that the day we were visiting the cemetery was the same day my brother Brian died. So I think that was good for my parents, especially my father who hadn't been to the cemetery there almost as long as I. His mother is also buried there. It is a beautifully situated location, being in the Clinch Mountains, it is so peaceful there. We also stopped at Breedings Restaurant, which is in Blaine, a place that has not changed since I was a boy. The food was exactly the same, I got my BLT, which is what I always got as a boy, and my folks got the open faced hot roast beef with mashed potatoes and gravy, just like it always was. I was so excited for Ashley to see just a little bit of some places that I spent so much time at as I grew up!

Getting ready to return to Virginia that "Mother of States"

R.L. Dabney writes in The Life and Campaigns of Lt. Gen. T. J. (Stonewall) Jackson, about the series of events that led to secession in Virginia, one of the last straws being Lincoln's resupplying Ft. Sumter, which is an act of war, and then declaring war without the proper Constitutional authority. Virginia could no longer stay in a union that would tear the binding compact in two, and then try to coerce a sovereign state back into a voluntary union. I thought Dabney's words on these events were very moving and inspiring, I wish we had MEN enough to stand up today for what is just and right! R. L. Dabney writes:

"But they did not stop here: on April 14th, Lincoln made a proclamation, without the authority of a shadow of law from Congress, declaring war against South Carolina and the Confederate Government, and calling upon the States for seventy-five thousand soldiers to invade them. The Governors of all the Southern States, except Maryland, refused compliance. In Virginia all remains of hesitation were instantly extinguished; the Convention, which was in session, on the 17th of April, passed an ordinance resuming the seperate independence of the State; and the Governor immediately began to prepare for war."

..."They said, the old "Mother of States and statesmen" was decrepit, that her genius was turned to dotage, that her breasts were dry of that milk which suckled her Henrys and Washingtons. They thought her little more than a cowering beldame, whom a timely threat would reduce to utter submissiveness. And thus they dared to stretch over her head the minatory rod. But when the tyrant tried the perilous experiment, he was startled by a result as unexpected as that which followed the touch of Ithuriel's spear. She, whom he thought a patient, hesitating, helpless paralytic, flamed up at the insolent touch, like a pyramid of fire, and Virginia stood forth again in her immortal youth, the unterrified Commonwealth of 1776, a Minerva radiant with the terrible glories of policy and war, wielding that sword which ever flashed before the eyes of her aggressors, the "Sic semper Tyrannis."