Gen. R. E. Lee, in speaking of the privations and sacrifices incurred by the citizens of Fredericksburg, said: "History presents no instance of a people exhibiting a purer and more unselfish patriotism, or a higher spirit of fortitude and courage than was evinced by the people of Fredericksburg. They cheerfully incurred great hardships and privations, and surrendered their homes and property to destruction, rather than yield them in the hands of the enemies of their country." [Illustration: MONUMENT TO GEN. HUGH MERCER] Since the close of the Civil War, and the equally distressing war of the reconstruction, Fredericksburg has entered upon a career of commercial and industrial prosperity, far exceeding any ever experienced in her ante-bellum days. Her population has largely increased. Situated half way between Richmond and Washington. Five trunk lines with twenty-six trains daily, run through the city, thus giving prompt and easy access to all the large eastern and northern cities, while the water transportation puts this section in cheap reach of the markets of the eastern seaboard. A splendid water-power with the present capacity of 4,000 hydro-electric horsepower with an ultimate development of 35,000 horse power, furnishes cheap power to manufacturing plants located in the city. Mr. Frank J. Gould, the owner of this immense power, has completed a survey for an electric line from Richmond, Va., to Washington, D. C. This line will give Fredericksburg direct communication by electric railway, with Washington, D. C., Richmond, Va., and Petersburg, Va. Fifteen miles of this line north of Richmond is now in operation. [Illustration: NEW POSTOFFICE] The United States government has erected a handsome Government postoffice. The State of Virginia has established at Fredericksburg a State Normal and Industrial School for Women, this consists of two handsome buildings situated on part of the historic Marye's Heights. A good High School with new modern school building, the Fredericksburg College and two libraries furnish educational opportunities for the youths of both sexes. [Illustration: R. F. & P. R. R. PASSENGER DEPOT] Four banks, a silk mill, pants factory, flour mills, foundry and machine works, sumac mills, pickle factory, buggy, wagon and wood-working plants, cigar factories, extract works, plow manufactories, brick yards, ice factories, bark mills, bone mills, granite works, mattress factory, excelsior mills, two daily and two tri-weekly newspapers, telegraph, mail, express and freight facilities unexcelled, all help to make Fredericksburg an industrial center of the present generation. Good roads to Fredericksburg through the various adjoining counties open up a larger territory for trade than ever before, and with the completion of the National Highway from Quebec to Miami, Florida, which passes through Fredericksburg, its many points of interest will be opened up to the tourist.