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Blue Ridge & Shenandoah Tour
Day 6 Lexington sight seeing
Stonewall Jackson House Museum
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We
began our day with a tour of the Stonewall Jackson House Museum.
Jackson purchased the only home he ever owned in 1858. He
lived here with his second wife, Mary Anna, until departing for the
war in 1861. Jackson's first wife Elinor died in childbirth in
1854.
The
museum provides a fascinating view of Jackson's personal life.
It was also interesting to see how people North and South lived
during this era. Photography is not permitted in the
museum.
Jackson had
a deep religious faith and enormous self discipline. He
followed a rigid schedule. He was active in his community and
the Presbyterian Church. Jackson loved gardening. He
maintained a large garden in his back yard and a small farm on the
edge of town. He owned six slaves.
The Virginia Military Institute
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A
short walk across the Washington and Lee campus took us to the
Virginia Military Institute. VMI has a long and proud history.
Major Thomas Jackson taught "natural and experimental
philosophy" (physics) and artillery tactics here from 1851 to
1861. Jackson memorized his lessons and delivered them in a
dull monotone. Some cadets called him "Old Jack" or
"Tom Fool" behind his back. However, Jackson was a
very effective artillery instructor.
Stonewall Jackson
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When
we arrived on the VMI campus, the cadets were in formation with
their rifles for inspection. We saw some "rats"
(freshmen) being grilled by the upper classmen. After
inspection, the cadets practiced drill and parade. We
got to watch the entire Corp of Cadets march on the parade ground.
That sight brought back memories (some good and some bad) of my own
military experience. Drill and parade may be fun to watch.
But, It sure didn't seem like a whole lot of fun back when I did it.
We toured
the VMI museum. This museum is very interesting. They
had lots of exhibits on Jackson including the coat he wore when
fatally shot at Chancellorsville. Also on display is the
mounted hide of Jackson's war horse, Little Sorrel. The rest
of Jackson's horse is buried in front of the statue on the left.
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For me, the most
moving exhibit was a small room dedicated to the Congressional Medal of
Honor.
They also had a
very interesting collection of antique firearms on display.
The Lee Chapel
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Our
next stop was the Lee Chapel on the campus of Washington and Lee
University. When the Civil War ended, General Robert E. Lee
was offered many prestigious positions. Lee accepted the
Presidency of Washington College as a way to help his beloved
Virginia recover from the war. Lee held this post until his
death five years later in 1870. During this time Lee had a
simple chapel built on the campus. Lee attended daily worship
services here during the last years of his life.
Inside the chapel
is an unusual recumbent statue of Lee. This statue is exquisite in
every detail. I could see textures in fabric. The statue
portrays Lee at rest in his camp. Lee's final resting place lies
below the statue in the Lee family mausoleum.
Dave checks out a W.W.II era Jeep at the
Marshal museum.
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After
Lunch, Steve and George went for a short bike ride.
Lorraine did some errands. Mike, Dave and myself returned to
the VMI campus to tour the George C. Marshall Museum.
Marshall, a 1901 VMI graduate, was the one of the most influential
figures of the 20th Century. Marshall served as US Army Chief
of Staff from 1939 to 1945, Secretary of State from 1947 to 1949 and
Secretary of Defense from 1950 to 1951. Marshall was awarded
the Nobel Peace Prize in 1953 for the Marshall Plan, the massive aid
program for war ravaged Europe.
The
museum contains extensive displays on Marshall's life, World War II,
and the Marshall Plan.
Jackson's grave
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By the time
Dave and I got out of the Marshall Museum it was 5 PM. Mike
left a little earlier to join Steve and George on their ride.
Dave and I got on our bikes and took a short ride around town.
We wound up at the Stonewall Memorial Cemetery. We visited
Stonewall Jackson's grave beneath the statue pictured at right.
People had left some lemons on the grave. According to legend,
Jackson liked to suck on lemons. However, the people at the
Stonewall Jackson House Museum told us they have no historical
evidence of Jackson sucking on lemons.
Jackson's
original grave is marked with a simple headstone about 100 feet from
the statue. The remains of Jackson and his two daughters
were moved to the present location in 1891.
We wandered
around the cemetery and located the graves of other Confederate
soldiers killed during the war.
After a
long day of sight seeing, we had dinner and hung out at the B&B
for a while. Then, Dave and I attached our lights and rode
back to our motel.
Continue to Day 7
Blue Ridge & Shenandoah Tour Contents
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Introduction
Day 6 Lexington sight seeing
