The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-06-07
GEN. LEE ON THE FIELD.

1t has already been stated that at one time dur
ing the Battle of the Wilderness on the 9Th Of
May, the fortunes of the day secIStd to be going
against army, when Gen Lee determined to
take command of Brigade and lead the charge
in person. A correspondent of the London Her.
ad in Of the best written accounts of the bat
tie We, have seen, describes the conduct of Gen.
Lee that occasion follows: ="
$50 alarming bad been the aspect of the field at
one time that, fearing for the constancy of his
troops, General Lee had, as Fields division came
under fire, placed himself at the head of Gregg.s
br gade of Texans. Ordering them, in that devo-
tion which constitutes the great charm for his
character, to follow him in a charge upon the
triumphant line that came sweeping down upon
him the debris of Heth's and Wilcox divis-
ions, Longstreet protested against such ex-
posure of life SO valuable. A grim and ragged
soldier of the line raised his voice IN determined
remonstxsnce; and was Immediately followed by
the rank and file OF the whole brigade in positive
refusal to advance until their beloved general in-
chief had gone to his proper position IN the rear.
Yielding to their touching solictude and thus
terminating one of the most remarkable incidents
in war, Gen. Lee retired, and we'll did Gregg s
gallant fellows fulfill the promise with which they
urged his withdrawal, by rushing forward, through
tempest Of bullets, with fury which nothing
could withstand All the ground that had been
iOeI was lcCOFCiSu, luC eHch IOuLeuJ lulO
his entrenehments, the Confederate lines advanced
threateniugy SO far as to hem him closely in; and
thus, almost hopeless. its fortunes at Que lime
appeared to be, the second day OF the battle of the
Wilderness Terminated around the Southern Gross
Of the right wing in bloody triumph.
General Lee, in attempting to lead Gregg's
Texans into the jaws of death, has given history
striking proof OF the attachment of his troops to
his person The world did not, however, want
any evidence Of his own devotion; and eau hardly
fail to pronounce Judgement against bis course on
that occasion, as of rasfness. His exposure
during the present campaign lrs been so unusual,
and apparently so unnecessary, IS TO have impress
ed his troops with profound concern The explo-
sion of shell under his own horse, the killing of
the horse of his AdJutant General, Lieut.. Col.
Taylor, and the wounding in the face of another
officer attached to bis person, Lieut. Col Marshal,
have had the depressing effect of deep anxiety
on the morale of bis army. The President, shar-
ing the general apprehension in and out Of the
field for the safety Of Gen Lee, has | am glad to
say, written to him touching letter of remon-
STRANGE The relations private and public, of the
two men, will doubt give great weight to that
protest; notwithstanding that it comes from
who, though charged in struggle for all thai Is
dear to freeman with the fate of millions, had,
under an error Of his own devotion, but just re-
turned from alarming exposure to the terrible
missiles that screamed, ard burst, and crashed in
thunder claps around Drewry's Bluff