CHAPTER XIII.
Volunteer Militia — The Confederate Cemetery — The National Cemetery — The Confederate Veterans — The Sons of Confederate Veterans — The Schools, Private and Public, &c.
In times of peace and quiet, in free America and even in conservative Virginia, it is necessary that cities should have some military organization that can be called upon to protect the citizens in their persons, rights and property in case of any emergency that might arise. It is true that such cases seldom occur in Virginia, but if they should, it is necessary to have some organized force, under the laws of the State, to meet and put them down. This being true, Fredericksburg has, in all periods of her history, encouraged and financially assisted volunteer militia companies. And it can be truthfully stated that, in all the past of the town, the young men have shown a special fondness for military organizations, and, so far as we can gather from records and tradition, Fredericksburg has been well protected in this direction. It is very doubtful if at any time since Major Lawrence Smith seated ' himself "down at or neare" the falls of the Rappahannock river and manned a fort with one hundred and eleven men, Fredericksburg had not a military organization, either active or dormant, that she could easily call into service in case of need. It is quite certain she has been well represented in every war since the settlement of the country, in which her sons have played conspicuous parts and have been commended for their gallantry and brilliant achievements.
One of the first companies remembered from tradition was commanded by a Capt. Blackford, and is said to have been armed with wooden guns. This company was among the guard of honor to Gen. Lafayette when he was here in 1824. It met the General and his suite at the old Wilderness tavern, escorted him to Fredericksburg, and, when he left, accompanied him as far as Aquia Creek, on the Potomac river. It did not last long as an organization.
The first company remembered by the oldest inhabitants, which lasted any length of time, was the Fredericksburg Guards, which was organized many years before the Civil War. It is not known exactly when it was formed or who was its first commander, but it is remembered that at different periods it was commanded by Captains Wm. A. Jackson, Wm. M. Blackford, Robert Smith, John Pritchard and John S. Porter, the order in which they served being in doubt.
A company, known as the Mercer Rifles, was also organized and commanded by Capt. D. Lee Powell some years before the war, but in a year or so it was disbanded in consequence of the commander changing his residence to Richmond.
In the early part of 1859 the Washington Guards was organized, with Capt. Joseph W. Sener as commander. It was well equipped and elegantly uniformed and drilled. When John Brown and his party were captured at Harper's Ferry in the Fall of 1859 by Colonel, afterwards Gen. Robert E. Lee, and turned over to the State authorities, this company was ordered to Charlestown, by Governor Wise, to guard the prisoners, and remained there in that capacity until the last of the party was executed, when they were ordered home.
In the same year, 1859, the Fredericksburg Grays was organized, with Captain Wm. S. Barton as commander. It is said this company was called into existence because of the excited condition of the country and a determination on the part of the young men of the town to be ready for any emergency. On the return of the Washington Guards from Charlestown they were met at the railroad depot by the Grays, who extended them a warm welcome home, escorted them to the Shakespeare House, where a grand banquet was given them, which was followed by speeches and a good time. These two companies, before the war and preparatory thereto, were formed into a battalion, of which Captain Barton was made major, Robert S. Chew becoming captain of the Grays. Many pleasant excursions and picnics were given by this battalion, which are well remembered by many, now living, who were participants and enjoyed them. But many of those who took part in those pleasant scenes have since then passed to the Great Beyond, and those now with us show the marks of Time upon them and are patiently waiting for the last call that shall transfer them to the great army above. The battalion had a drum corps, consisting of eleven drums, which was presided over by Mr. Pipenbrick, of Falmouth, who was appointed drum major.
A boy company, known as the Coleman Guards, commanded by Captain W. F. Gordon, was also organized just prior to the war. In 1860 great excitement was caused on the arrival of Robinson's circus here, the charge having been made that some of the employees or attaches had murdered a man by the name of Boulware at Port Royal the day before. Warrants were sworn out for the arrest of the supposed parties, and the three companies, with the civil authorities, arrested the entire circus and had the suspected parties before the Mayor. A two days' investigation disclosed no probable guilt and the circu3 was discharged from custody.
Another military company was organized in the town in 1861, known as the Gordon Rifles, with Captain Robert H. Alexander as its commander. These three companies, at the outbreak of the war, were placed in the Thirtieth Virginia regiment of infantry, that did such noble service during the Civil War. The Washington Guards, which became Company A, was commanded by Capt. Joseph W. Sener. He was succeeded by Capt. George H. Peyton and Captain John K. Anderson. The Fredericksburg Grays became Company B and was commanded by Capt. Robert S. Chew, and, on his promotion to Colonel, by Capt. H. S. Doggett. Capt. Doggett was on detached duty the most of his official term as captain and the company was commanded by Lieutenant James S. Knox in his absence, who was promoted to captain, but his commission never reached him. The Gordon Rifles became Company C and was commanded by Captain Robert H. Alexander and afterwards by Captain C. Wistar Wallace.
After the war the Fredericksburg Grays was reorganized, with Samuel S. Brooke, now of Roanoke, as captain. He was succeeded in command by Captain Maurice B. Rowe, and he by the following commanders in the order named:— Captain Terence McCracken, Captain Robert B. Berrey, Captain George A. Walker and Captain Frank H. Revere
When war was declared between the United States and Spain, and volunteers were called for by the government, the Washington Guards, which had been reorganized by Captain Maurice B. Rowe, promptly responded and was mustered into the United States service as Company K of the Third Virginia regiment of infantry.
It went into camp at Richmond, Virginia, and was soon transferred to Camp Alger, named in honor of the then Secretary of War, near Washington city. Before these troops were ordered to the scene of action peace was declared and they were ordered back to Richmond and mustered out of service, having been in the service of the United States seven months. The company then returned to Fredericksburg.
The Guards numbered one hundred and twelve men on the rolls, was a splendid body of patriotic young men and reflected credit upon the town. Soon after being discharged from the United States army the company was reorganized, reentered the service of the State and now numbers sixty-two men, under the command of Captain Thomas M. Larkin. They have often been called upon to discharge important and delicate service, and have responded with alacrity.
In 1883 a colored volunteer company was organized in town, called the Garfield Light Infantry Blues. It was organized by Benjamin Scott, of Richmond, who was its first captain. Captain Scott soon returned to his home in Richmond and was succeeded in command by Captain Lucien G. Gilmer. This organization continued in existence several years, but was finally disbanded, having fallen below the minimum number required by law.
THE CONFEDERATE CEMETERY.
Soon after the citizens of Fredericksburg returned to their desolated homes at the close of the Civil War, and had gotten their dwellings in a condition to be occupied, the thoughts of the patriotic, ladies were at once turned to the Confederate soldiers who had fallen and were buried in Fredericksburg and on the several adjacent battle-fields. They were anxious that the remains of these brave men should be gathered up and interred in some place where their dust would be preserved and the names of the known saved from oblivion.
As a result of a consultation, and a call published in the newspapers of Fredericksburg, the ladies of the town met in the basement of the Presbyterian church on the 10th day of May, 1865, one month after the surrender of Gen. Lee, and organized the Ladies' Memorial Association of Fredericksburg, elected officers, appointed a board of directors, an executive committee and an advisory board.
This was the first ladies' memorial association chartered in the South and among the first to decorate the soldiers' graves with flowers.
The best methods for accomplishing the patriotic work of the association were discussed and adopted at this early date. The plan was to raise as much money in town and in Virginia as possible and then issue an appeal to be sent all through the Southern States for funds, because every Southern State was represented on the battle-fields in and around the town by their heroic dead. These appeals were sent out as soon as they could be gotten ready and had the desired effect. Funds soon began to flow into the treasury and a suitable site was selected, west of and adjoining the city cemetery, which was purchased, and the work of gathering up the dead commenced. The number gotten from the different battlefields and buried in the ground purchased by the association numbered about fifteen hundred. The circular sent out had, in addition to the organization of the association and the list of officers in full, an appeal, which was as follows:—
"To all true hearted women and men, who would rescue from oblivion the memory of the brave, who died in defence of home and country, we present this appeal:— The stern pressure of military necessity made it impossible, properly, to care for the remains of the gallant dead who fell on the bloody fields of Fredericksburg, Wilderness, Chancellorsville, Spotsylvania Courthouse and in scores of skirmishes which, in a war less terrible, would have been reckoned as battles.
"Our Association proposes to preserve a record, and, as far as possible, mark the spot where every Confederate soldier is buried in this vicinity, whether he fell on these memorable fields or otherwise died in the service. To the bereaved throughout our suffering South we pledge ourselves to spare no exertion to accomplish this work.
"In a land stripped of enclosures and forests, desolated and impoverished as ours, we cannot, without aid, guard these graves from exposure and possible desecration; we can only cover them with our native soil. And, with pious care, garland them with the wild flowers from the fields. But, with the generous aid and cordial cooperation of those who have suffered less, but who feel as deeply as we do on this subject, we confidently hope to accomplish far more—to purchase and adorn a cemetery, to remove thither the sacred dust scattered all over this region, and to erect some enduring tribute to the memory of our gallant dead.
"Shall that noble army of martyrs, who, for years of toil and suffering, bore, in triumph, the 'Conquered Banner' from Chattanooga to Gettysburg, sleep on the fields of their fame unnoticed and unknown? Shall their names pass from the knowledge of the living to be treasured only in the mind of Him 'to whom the memory of the just is precious"?
"What spot so appropriate for the last resting place of these heroes, as some commanding eminence overlooking the memorable plain of Fredericksburg? And what nobler work for the hearts and hands of Southern women, than upon its summit to rear a monument to the unrecorded Confederate dead, which, through all time shall testify to the gratitude of the people for whom they so gloriously died? As no State, and scarcely a town or county throughout the limits of the late Confederacy, is unrepresented on these battle-fields, may we not hope that the cooperation required in order to accomplish our holy work will be as universal?
"An act of the Legislature of Virginia will be obtained, incorporating our Association, so that the property may be held perpetually dedicated to its sacred uses. We solicit such contributions as the appreciative sympathy of friends in all parts of our country, and of the world, will extend us. As soon as sufficient means are obtained our Association will proceed to purchase and improve grounds appropriate for a cemetery, and remove thither the remains of the honored dead.
"Our Association, although its organization is but recent, has been enabled to rescue from oblivion the names and places of burial of many of the noble dead, who fell upon the fields of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, the Wilderness, and all the objects of the Association will be pressed as rapidly forward as the requisite means are procured. All auxiliary societies, which may be formed, are requested to correspond with our Association; and, should they desire their contributions to be specially appropriated to the graves of any individuals, or of any particular State or section, the trust will be sacredly discharged.
Mrs. John H. Wallace, President. Miss Ann J. Carter, Corresponding Secretary. President—Mrs. John H. Wallace. Vice-Presidents—Mrs. J. H. Lacy, Mrs. Jane Ficklin, Mrs. James W. Ford, Mrs. A. F. T. Fitzhugh, Mrs. Fannie S. White.
Board of Directors—Miss Mary G. Browne, Miss S. Freaner, Mrs. W. K. Howard, Mrs. S. J. Jarvis, Mrs. E. A. Fitzgerald, Mrs. L. J. Huffman, Mrs. J. H. Bradley, Mrs. Magruder Maury, Mrs. Joseph Alsop, Mrs. Monroe Kelly, Miss Ellen P. Chew, Miss Lizzie Braxton.
Treasurer—Dr. F. P. Wellford.
Recording Secretaries—Miss L. G. Wellford, Mrs. Lucy Herndon.
Corresponding Secretary—Miss Ann J. Carter.
Assistant Secretaries—Miss V. S. Knox, Miss Mary Thorn, Miss Bettie L. Scott, Miss Lizzie Alsop, Miss N. S. Wellford, Miss Mary G. Browne, Mrs. L. T. Kearsley, Miss Helen G. Beale, Miss Nannie Taylor, Miss Virginia Goolrick, Miss S. Freaner, Miss Lizzie Braxton.
Executive Committee—Major J. H. Kelly, Thomas F. Knox, George Aler, J. W. Slaughter, Edwin Carter, Joseph W. Sener, Dr. L. B. Rose.
Advisory Committee—Gen. Dabney Herndon Maury, Gen. Daniel Ruggles, Gen. C. L. Stevenson, Col. R. S. Chew, Col. C. M. Braxton, Col. W. W. Fontaine, Major George Freaner, Major Chas. S. Green, Capt. C. T. Goolrick, Capt. W. R. Mason, Rev. Mytton Maury, Rev. T. W. Gilmer, Rev. Patrick Donelan, Rev. W. H. Williams, Rev. F. C. Tebbs, Mayor M. Slaughter, Judge R. C. L. Moncure, A. A. Little, J. H. Kelly, Judge R. H. Coleman, John Lawrence Marye, Jr., John E. Tackett, D. H. Gordon, W. P. Conway, J. L. Stansbury, Ab. P. Rowe, James B. Sener, W. K. Howard."
In response to the appeal of the Association, liberal contributions were received from all the Southern States, with which the ground was purchased, the present cemetery laid out and the remains of all the Confederate dead, who were killed and buried throughout this community, gathered together, transferred to the cemetery and the graves marked with cedar posts. These posts were removed a few years afterwards and marble headstones took their places. The next work of the Association was to raise money for a monument to be placed in the center of the cemetery, and, as in their other patriotic work, the appeal was not in vain. The necessary amount was raised and the monument was erected and dedicated. Mr. Leyburn, of Lexington, Va., contractor; Mr. Cassell, of Baltimore, architect. The stone used is gray granite and was taken from the farm of Mrs. Mary Downman, in Spotsylvania county. The monument contains inscriptions as follows:—
- On the east side—S. Carolina, Virginia, N. Carolina.
- On the north side—Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas.
- On the west side—Louisana, Mississippi, Texas.
- On the south side—Georgia, Florida, Alabama.
The monument stands on a mound about five feet high, and is five feet and six inches high without the statue. With the statue it is twenty feet in height. On the west side, cut in the granite, are muskets; on the south side, a castle with battlements; on the north 190 History of Fredericksburg, Virginia side, sabres; on the east side, cannon and the inscription "To the Confederate Dead." On each corner of the monument is a column of red granite, with gray granite plynth and base. The cornerstone was laid on the 4th of June, 1874, by Fredericksburg Lodge, No. 4, A. F. & A. M., Grand Master Wm. H. Lambert presiding, and was completed and unveiled on Memorial Day, June 9, 1884. The statue of a Confederate soldier, at dress parade, which crowns the apex, is of bronze, and was manufactured by the Monumental Bridge Company, of Bridgeport, Conn. It was ordered through Mr. George T. Downing and placed in position by him.
THE NATIONAL CEMETERY.
The National Cemetery, in which were gathered and interred the Union soldiers who died in camp and were killed in the various battles in and around Fredericksburg, was commenced in 1865, soon after the close of the war. It is located on Willis's Hill, about half a mile south of the town. It is on the range of hills known in the war histories and correspondents as Marye's Heights, which overlooks the beautiful valley of the Rappahannock and affords a fine view of Fredericksburg and the surrounding country. It afforded a splendid location for the Confederate artillery at both battles of Fredericksburg, which did such fearful execution as the Union troops were advancing on General Lee's position.
The remains of the Union soldiers were taken from their temporary graves and conveyed to the cemetery by a "burial corps," consisting of a large detail of Frederal soldiers and a few veterans employed by the superintendent. The work was continued for three or four years, and it was thought that all the dead had been cared for, but even now remains of soldiers are sometimes found in different places and turned over to the superintendent for interment.
The Fredericksburg cemetery is not the largest in area in the United States, but it has a larger number of interments in it than any other in the country. Up to the present time the interments number 15,294, of these 2,496 are known and their names, regiments and State are registered in a book in the superintendent's office, and 12,203 are unknown. The superintendent of the cemetery is Major M. M. Jefferys, and under his management it is kept in good condition.
The superintendent has a "lodge" or residence near the cemetery gate, constructed of stone. It is made of the stone taken from the historical stone wall, behind which the Confederates were stationed when they successfully resisted the many gallant charges of General Hancock's men on the 13th of December, 1862. Several years ago the government constructed a Macadamized road from the railroad depot to the cemetery, making it a pleasant drive to that "city of the dead," and it is visited by numbers of persons, both citizens and strangers. In 1901 Gen. Daniel Butterfield erected a beautiful monument in the cemetery to the valor of the Fifth Army Corps, which he commanded, at a cost of $11,000.
MAURY CAMP OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS.
The Confederate veterans of Fredericksburg and surrounding country organized themselves into a camp in 1883. It was one of the first camps of the kind organized in the State and had quite a large membership. It was called Maury Camp in honor of General Dabney Herndon Maury, a native of Fredericksburg, who rose to the rank of major-general in the Confederate army, and distinguished himself as a skillful commander as well as for conspicuous gallantry on many fields of battle during the Civil War.
Maury Camp flourished for several years, having at one time in the neighborhood of one hundred and fifty members. At first it was independent and separate from any other camp, but upon the organization of R. E. Lee Camp, of Richmond, which obtained a charter from the General Assembly of Virginia, thereby giving it authority over other camps, Maury Camp obtained a charter from that organization, and holds its authority under that charter at present.
For some cause in late years the camp has not been prosperous; on the contrary, it has merely maintained its organization. Many of the members withdrew their membership or allowed their names to be dropped from the rolls, while those who still retain their membership, with a few exceptions, exhibit but little interest in the affairs of the camp. Notwithstanding its decline, however, it has done much good in the past in assisting needy Confederate veterans, besides they have relieved the necessities of the widows and orphans of veterans, and have decently buried their old comrades who have died in destitution. The camp has had for commanders at different periods Colonel Robert S. Chew, Judge John T. Goolrick, Capt. Daniel M. Lee, Thomas F. Proctor, Geo. Shepherd and Capt. S. J. Quinn. At present Prof. A. B. Bowering is the commander and the camp seems to be taking on new life.
S0NS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS.
The organization of Maury Camp of Confederate Veterans was followed in a few years by the organization of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. This camp came into existence on the 10th day of May, 1890. It was organized, mainly, if not entirely, through the efforts of Mr. James A. Turner, who was its first commander, and, by annual reelections, without opposition, he was continued until he retired and Mr. Wm. H. Hurkamp was elected and is commander at this time.
This camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans was named in honor of Colonel Robert S. Chew, who was, at the close of the war, Colonel of the Thirtieth Virginia regiment of infantry, a native of Fredericksburg and was honored and beloved by all who knew him. The camp has done a noble work in the way of looking after the comfort and supplying the needs of the destitute Confederate veterans, who are rapidly passing "over the river to rest under the shade of the trees," and providing for them a decent Christian burial when they shall have "answered the last roll call."
As an organization the R. S. Chew Camp has attended nearly all the reunions of Confederate veterans in the State, and has taken as much interest in them as if they had been veterans instead of the sons of veterans. In all of these visitations the camp, by the discipline and military bearing of its members, soon won for itself a position in the front rank of Sons of Confederate Veterans in the South. About thirty of its members volunteered in the United States army in the War with Spain, some of whom are now in the regular army, holding important commissions. The camp has flourished from its organization, and has now nearly one hundred members on its rolls, who are earnest in their work and faithful to the memories of their fathers.
THE SCHOOLS OF FREDERICKSBURG.
Fredericksburg, from its earliest days, possessed educational advantages, greatly in advance of many larger towns of the colonies. Soon after its establishment by the House of Burgesses, schools of a high order were established here by the best of educators and it is highly probable that the leading men of the State—those who conducted public affairs in colonial times, and who were the first to oppose and resist British tyranny and who inaugurated and conducted the movement for separation and independence—were educated in those schools. And it can be safely said that from that time to the present Fredericksburg has not been without schools that would be creditable to any town.
In 1796 a lottery scheme—which was a popular method of raising money in those days for such purposes—was chartered by the Legislature of the State for the purpose of raising money to erect a school building on what was known as the "old poor-house grounds," at present the property of Alexander Lang's estate near Gunnery Spring. Whether or not this scheme was successful is not known, but it is a fact that a male academy was established by some French refugees, gentlemen of education and refinement, who, having lost their fortunes, adopted teaching as a means of support. Many distinguished Statesmen and jurists, in after years, were educated at this school, among them was Judge John Tayloe Lomax, who, in his old age, when president of the Young Men's Christian Association of Fredericksburg, referred to his connection with this school by contrasting the teaching of the school of French philosophy of that day with the instruction of Christian teachers of a later period, showing the advantages of the latter. In a letter from Dr. John Brockenburg to Rev. Philip Slaughter, D. D., in 1846, about another matter, he said:— "I had been entered as a student at the Fredericksburg Academy, then (1790) in high repute, under the Rev. Mr. Ryan, an eminent classical scholar and a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin." Dr. Brockenburg finished his education in this school, preparatory to entering a medical college in Edinburg, and speaks highly of it.
It is also claimed that Washington, Madison, Monroe, and others who made their mark as soldiers, statesmen, and in the various professions, were educated in the schools of Fredericksburg. The establishment of a female college at "Federal Hill," in the year 1789, and which was kept up by different teachers for half a century or more, was an important event in the history of the town. and, in connection with the male academy, gave to Fredericksburg great distinction as an educational center.
On the 27th of September, 1795, a fund was created by the sale of lands, which were devised for the purpose by Mr. Archibald McPherson, which fund was held in trust by the Mayor and Common Council of the town for the time being, and afterwards, by an act of the Legislature, by six trustees, annually appointed for the benefit of the Charity School of Fredericksburg. These trustees organized into a board, the first president being Major Benjamin Day. who continued as such to the day of his death. The school was kept in the brick building on the north side of Hanover street, just below the Masonic hall, now used by Miss Willie F. Schooler for her Hanover school. The funds derived by the sale of some of the McPherson property were afterwards supplemented by a legacy from Mr. Thomas Colson in 1805.
In the back part of the room in which this male charity school was kept are to be found three tablets of marble let into the brick wall, in good preservation, with these inscriptions:—
"In memory of Mr. Archibald McPherson. He bequeathed his property to the trustees of this town for the education of the poor. By an act of the Legislature the funds were transferred to this institution as best fulfilling the testators charitable design. Died A.D. 1754:— age 49."
In memory of Thomas Colson, Esq., who, by his last will and testament, contributed largely to the permanent funds of this school. His benevolence claims the gratitude of the poor, and the respect of all. Died A. D. 1805."
"In memory of Major Benjamin Day, one of the founders of this institution and its first president. This office he filled for twenty-six years with zeal and fidelity. As an humble tribute to his philanthropic services this simple monument is erected. Died A. D. 1821; age 69."
On Major Day's tombstone, in the burial ground of Fredericksburg Masonic Lodge, in reference to this school, is found these words:— "The Male Charity School of Fredericksburg is chiefly indebted to him for its origin in 1795, and for its prosperity to his unremitted attention in the principal management of its concerns, over which he presided until the time of his death."
These tablets and tombstones furnish a history of this school that can be had nowhere else, and their transcription here will, it is hoped, enshrine the memories of these charitable men for their munificence to the poor of the town in the hearts of the present generation and indelibly impress upon their minds the solemn, but eft unheeded, words of the Master, "ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good." Mr. George W. Rothrock conducted this male school as teacher for many years, but upon his death, before the Civil War, it was closed and has never been resumed.
A reference to other schools of Fredericksburg, some contemporary with the Male Charity School and the Federal Hill Female College, and others of a later date, will no doubt be of interest to the numerous descendants of those who were educated in them, and will recall to many of our older citizens pleasant memories of their youthful days, as well as the labor over "tare and tret, which made them mad and sweat."
Among these was the excellent female school taught by Rev. Samuel Wilson, in which many of the most accomplished ladies in Fredericksburg received their early education. Mr. Wilson was succeeded by Miss Mary Ralls, who was assisted by Mr. Herard, whom she afterwards married. Mr. Herard was a Frenchman, and although he could not speak English, taught writing and French in the school. Here commenced the education of a large number of girls and boys, who were afterwards well known in the social circle and business pursuits of Fredericksburg and of many other parts of the country, and some of them are to-day honored citizens of the town.
The school kept by Mr. John Goolrick, in the small, brick building on the lower end of Main street, now occupied by Mr. W. Snowden Hitt, was famous in its day, and in that school were educated some of our substantial business men and accomplished women. He was assisted in his school by his son, George, who was an accomplished teacher and cultured gentleman. George Goolrick succeeded his father in the conduct of the school and continued it for many years.
Mr. Thomas H. Hanson, who came to Fredericksburg from Georgetown, D. C, was principal of the Fredericksburg Male Academy. He was a fine classical scholar and his school enjoyed a wide-spread reputation as a classical school. He taught in the north wing of the City Hall, and for several years on Prince Edward street, above Amelia, in a brick building, where the residences of Misses Hay and Misses Wissner now stand. The building was torn down several years ago, when residences were built. Some few of his pupils are now living. One died a short time ago, at a ripe old age, with the honorary LL. D. attached to his name.
Rev. George W. McPhail conducted a school for some years on the west side of Main street, just above Commerce. The house was a large, frame building, with a store on the ground floor and schoolroom above. It was destroyed at the shelling of the town in December, 1862. Mr. McPhail's first school-room was located on George street west of the Presbyterian church, but, it being too small to accommodate his pupils, he moved to Main street.
Messrs. Powell and Morrison, for many years, conducted a school for girls in Citizens' Hall, which stood on Princess Anne street where the Catholic parsonage now stands. It was known as the Fredericksburg Institute, and was one of the best schools of that day. It was moved to Richmond and is now conducted by members of Mr. Powell's family.
Professor Richard Sterling conducted a school for boys in the old" Colonnade building on Princess Ann street, opposite the courthouse, long before the war. He was succeeded by Mr. J. J. Halsey. The building was partially destroyed by fire during the Civil War, and finally, in 1880, was removed to give place to the Presbyterian Memorial chapel.
For a number of years a school for girls was conducted by Mrs. John P. Little, first at her residence, on Princess Anne street,. and then for some time at Federal Hill and at the Union House which is now used for the public schools. She was assisted in her school by an accomplished French teacher by the name of Guillet.
More than half a century ago Misses Ann and Mary Drinnan conducted a flourishing school for girls on Charles street, above Lewis, where the Misses Goodwin now live, and Mrs. Mary Hack ley conducted a large boarding school over the store now occupied by Mr. Thomas N. Brent. For several years before the war Rev. Wm. F. Broaddus, D. D., taught a school for young ladies in the basement of the Baptist church. These schools were all of a high order and fully sustained the reputation of Fredericksburg as a town possessing the most enlarged educational advantages. Besides the schools above referred to, schools for boys were taught by Richard Stern, Mr. Hudson, Mr. Jamison, Stephen A. Boardman,. James G. Read, Edward Henry, Mr. Tchudi, Buckner & Henry,. Buckner & Temple, Chas. E. Tackett, Thomas Moncure, H. W. Rhinehart, Mrs. Judith Anstice, Mrs. A. L. Magrath, Maria Woodruff, Miss Willie Schooler and others.
After the war Judge Richard H. Coleman taught a high school for boys at Kenmore, and Colonel W. Winston Fontaine taught a high school for girls on the south corner of Main and Frederick streets, and Professor Volley M. Johnson conducted a similar school at the Union House. When Judge Coleman moved his school to Guiney's in Caroline county, Messrs. Cuthbert Buckner and Charles W. Temple opened a school of the same grade. They were succeeded by Messrs. Cuthbert Buckner and Wm. Caruthers, and they by Messrs. Charles E. Tackett, James W. Ford and Wm. B. Marye, who added a military feature to the school, which made it quite popular. These schools were located on Prince Edward street in a one-story brick house, known as the Academy, where the Misses Hay have recently erected a modern residence. After Colonel Fontaine moved South a high school for young ladies was opened by Mr. Wm. Caruthers in the Presbyterian Asylum, known now as Smithsonia, assisted by his sisters, Mrs. Davis and Miss Caruthers. He was succeeded by Mrs. Wm. A. Campbell and daughter, two excellent teachers, but the school did not appear to prosper and was finally closed. In addition to these schools of high grade there were many excellent primary schools for girls and boys, which succeeded well until the public free schools were opened, which became popular because of their graded system and the thoroughness of their instruction. Since then most of the private schools have been abandoned, yet some few are yet conducted and are doing well.
THE ASSEMBLY'S HOME AND SCHOOL.
The Assembly's Home and School was founded by Rev. A. P. Saunders, D. D., then pastor of the Presbyterian church in Fredericksburg, in 1893. It was incorporated by an act of the Virginia Legislature December 16, 1893. It consisted originally of a home designed for the maintenance and education of the orphans of deceased Presbyterian ministers and missionaries, and also of a college. The latter was intended as a place for the education of these orphans and also for the youth of other denominations. The General Assembly of the Presbyterian church, each year, commended the institution to the confidence of the churches within its bounds, and by their contributions the Home was maintained. The college for some time was supported partly by contributions from the churches, but more largely by the pay students attending the school from home and abroad.
In the year 1897 the General Assembly of the church separated the college from the Home and ordered the sale of the college and all the property belonging to it. The city of Fredericksburg recognizing the value of such an institution in its midst, had subscribed ten thousand dollars of bonds, the interest on which was to pay for ten annual scholarships in the college, the scholars being selected from the highest grade of the public schools of the town. This arrangement continued until 1898, when the college and property were sold and the ten thousand dollars of bonds were returned to the city authorities and cancelled. The property was purchased by Rev. F. P. Ramsay, who conducted the college for two years, the city continuing its patronage of ten scholarships, paying the tuition in money.
In the year 1900 Mr. Ramsay sold the college and property to Rev. John W. Rosebro, who had just become pastor of the Presbyterian church in Fredericksburg. He is a gentleman of rare ability, and, with his corps of able assistants, is making the college worthy of the confidence and support of the public. A bright and prosperous future is predicted for the institution under the management of this scholarly gentleman.
The Assembly Home is still in operation, supported by the denomination, and holds a strong place in the affections of the Presbyterian church. It is now under the management of Professor Samuel W. Somerville.
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The public schools were established in Fredericksburg, under what is known as the Underwood Constitution, in 1870. For several years they were not well patronized, principally from the fact that the system was not popular with the people. When the system was first put in operation in town the schools were kept at private houses, because the city had no public school houses and was then unable to build them, and as the appropriations for school purposes were small the sessions were held only for five or six months in the year. The teachers, in a majority of cases, were selected more because of their need of the salary than because of their ability and fitness to teach.
In the year 1876 the schools were graded, and the funds received from the city and State were largely supplemented from the Peabody fund, which enabled the school board to adopt a ten months' session. By this arrangement the efficiency of the schools was greatly promoted; they grew in public favor, the citizens patronized them, and soon they became so large and popular the town was compelled to provide larger buildings for the accommodation of the pupils. To accommodate this large increase of attendance a commodious two-story brick building was erected on the north corner of Princess Anne and Wolfe streets for the colored schools, sufficiently large to accommodate four schools, and the Union House, a three-story brick building on the north corner of Main and Lewis streets, was purchased for the white schools and converted into a building capable of accommodating six schools.
In addition to the schools held at the Union House there are two schools for the first primary grades, one held in the forenoon and the other in the afternoon, under one teacher, and were kept in the south wing of the courthouse until two years ago, when they were moved to the Union House and other grades removed to the courthouse.
The grammar grade of the colored schools is taught at Samaritan Hall, on Douglas street. These schools have an efficient corps of teachers and the instruction is as thorough as is found in any of the schools of the State.
There are ten grades in the white schools—seven in the primary department and three in the grammar department. There are six grades in the colored schools—five in the primary department and one in the grammar department. The town is divided into two school districts, the Upper and the Lower, George street being the dividing line. There are three trustees from each school district, the six members constituting the school board of the town.
There have been four superintendents of schools since the inauguration of the free school system in 1870, who have served in the following order:— Mr. John Howison, General Daniel Ruggles, Mr. Edgar M. Crutchfield and Mr. Benjamin P. Willis. All of these gentlemen have passed away except Mr. Willis, who is now serving as superintendent. The school board has had but four presidents since its organization, thirty-eight years ago, who served in the following order:— John James Young, Captain Joseph W. Sener, Wm. H. Cunningham and Andrew B. Bowering. Only one is now living—A. B. Bowering, who is serving at present.