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The 24th annual Lee-Jackson Day events will be held in Lexington this Friday and Saturday, Jan. 14-15.
The purpose of the events is to commemorate the lives of Confederate Generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson, both of whom are buried in Lexington. The activities are sponsored by the Lee & Jackson Memorial Committee and the Stonewall Brigade, Sons of Confederate Veterans, #1296, of Lexington.
Events kick off with a private tour of the Jackson House at 10 a.m. on Friday and include a light breakfast provided by the Rockbridge Chapter, United Daughters of the Confederacy. Additional events include a symposium, parade, memorial services, and a luncheon.
The Lee-Jackson Symposium will be held on Friday, Jan. 13 at the Hampton Inn Col Alto with doors opening at noon. Speakers and topics will include Kevin Pawlak, “Lee and Jackson in the Maryland Campaign,” Norman Dasinger, Jr., “General Forrest at His Best - Streight’s Raid across Alabama in 1863,” Laura Elliott, “Richard Rowland Kirkland - Angel of Marye’s Heights,” and retired Lt. Col. Eric W. Buckland, “A Fiery Fall - Mosby’s Rangers in the Valley, Fall of 1864.” A silent auction will also begin at noon and refreshments will be served by the Mary Anna Jackson Chapter, Order of Confederate Rose.
Memorial ceremonies will be held on Saturday. Attendees will begin arriving at 10 a.m. at Jackson Circle in the city cemetery. The Lee-Jackson Parade will follow at 11:15 a.m. from the cemetery through downtown Lexington. The parade will feature reenactors in Civil War uniforms and period attire and 1969 Dodge Charger “The General Lee” featured in the “Dukes of Hazard.”
At noon, the annual memorial program and address will be held at the Hampton Inn Col Alto featuring author and historian Bill Potter. His talk is entitled “Robert Lewis Dabney: Jackson’s Right Hand and the Post-War ‘Cassandra of Yankeedom.’” A luncheon will follow and advance payment is preferred with limited seating at the door.
All events are free and open to the public with the exception of the breakfast tour and luncheon. For reservations and details visit https://leejacksonday.webs.com.
