Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1863-06-10
A FATnER AND son.

General Lee has son, Robert R, Lee,
Jr., private in the Rockbrldge, Va, ar,il-
lcry, or course tho hey, though only
seventeen, Las had numeous oiiors Of posts
Of aid 10 commanding officers but has de-
elined them all, and is content TO take his
turn a. cooking and washing with the rest,
The company WAS with Jackson, during
the Valley campaign. a CORRESPONDENT Of
the LynohbUrg NIrginisn relates an inter-
v,ew between the father and the sou on the
battlefield Of Sharpsburg. All the guns OF
the battery had bccn disabled The letter
says:
We we're engagl in getting our remain
ing gun in lighting trim when Gen. Lee
rode up, Aids and couriers went aud
came In puck succession from different
parts Of the field TO communicate or orrecciye
dispatches from him. Shells bUrst in the
air or ploughed up the dust around him, or
passed over head, singing their omiuous
death messages. IL was the most critical
period Of the contest. Defeat il not an-
nihilation, wGs disastrous and disglHceful
retreat across the Potomac. Bu, amid all
III excitement and dangers and weighty
responsibilities Of the hour, lie was, Us he
always is on the battle field, cool and self
pOssesscd-his face fairly radiant with in
telligcnce mud the workings Of his master
mind and the emotions Of the patriot scld-
ier. Twas as bright and cheering as the
SIN when he breaks through the black
clouds Of the thunder storm. 1t inspired
us all with fresh courage and confidence.
In his kind, gcntlemanly manner, he in
quired as to our losses, and was just say
ing that he wanted us to go back on the
left again, when Rob, hearing his voice,
came forward--his clothes drCnched with
pcrspira'ion, and his person blackened
with smoke and dust--anl, saluting him
with an affectionate familiarity, the follow.
ing colloquy cnsued: "Why, good morn
ing, General" "IIow are you, my son ?"
awe are badly used, sir; hive only one
piece fit for action" An aid cnme up Mt
full speed to say that "Gen..---t could
not hear the name) says send him all the
renforccments you can sparc--that the
enemy is bringing up heavy columns Of
fresh troops against him." Sand sc you
ore gotng to send US TO that hot place on
the left again?' "Ycs, my son., General
Jackson will need every gun on the left.
We must drive those people back" Here
another Aid from the same General dashed
up to say the. "the General will incvita-
bly, be driven from his position unless
reinforced" | heard General Lee gay:
"Tei the General have no reinfOrcements
to send to hold his ground if it is posi-
ble." Turning to Rob, he continued. ayes,
my son, VIC must drive those people back
Fell your Captain l want him to take his
gun over to the left again" lie then rode
on, and we pitched into the fight again"
Abiding to his refusal Of comm issions,
the correspondent says:
Time and again be has been solicited and
urged to accept commissions, with easy and
honorable position, on staff; but hc has in
yariably declined, assigning MS u reason
that he did not think his father approved of
inexperienced boys holding positions over
moni that he rcckoned he would put him
IN the way Of getting commission when
he considered him deserving Of it. Added
TO his many other Writes, like his father
he is a consistent, humble Christian.