Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-04-04
LIEUT.. GEN. STEPHEN d. LEE.

The subject of this sketch is signal
illustration of what young man, with
energy and gifts, can accomplish when
his talents are properly directed. His
life and career may be studied with pride
and pleasure and profit by all; with
pride, because he is an American citizen
of the true American stamp; with pleas
ure, because of the unvarying success of
his energy and ambition; and with profit,
by pointing the unknown and aspiring
to him as fit instance of the triumph of
integrity, application and directness of
purpose All these winning qualities he
possessed, and when the occasion pre-.
scented its encouraging opportunities, he
eagerly watched its recurring moments,
and promptly used them for honorable
advancement He was one of those who
thought ambition not only holy princi-
pie, but the best seed from which all com
mendable human character grew with.
out it great and ilustrious action was
sporadic, requiring rare occasion for
each effort. But he pressed occasion,
until the result of one occurrence made
occasion itself for other and greater re.
suits. In other words, he believed some
occasion was indispensable, but by warm
ly embracing these fortunate periods,
the man of pushing worth could make
others. He never waited in idleness for
the movement of the waters-for some
thing to turn up-but was always richly
preparing himself for every offer of for.
tune. He had no dormant powers-his
were all awake, highly disciplined and
ready for action. Such, in this respect,
was the young Lieutenant General Of
whom we write.
He was born in Charleston, South
Carolina, September 22d, l832-and
though not espousing all the peculiar
opinions of that chivalrous and sensitive
State, she never yet had more devoted
son. As Stonewall Jackson loved
glorious old Virginia-so did Stephen
D. Lee love South Carolina. Is not this
remarkable attachment to their native
land, by Southern men, stronger than
the same principle elsewhere2 If there
is a marked distinction between the
native Northern man, and the native
Southern man, we think it is this one.
OF course, the native land of every man
is dear to him, and ever remembered
with pride With the North it is a real
living principle, bat of a more general,
or national caste-the pride of the
American--less local-less of the State
feebler and controllable. Not so with
the Southern man-it is devotion with.
out depth-a love that knows no falter-
ing, or change. But State love, State
devotion, pure, sacrificing devotion,
has no nobler exemplar in all history,
than with our own unhappy people. No
absence can obliterate it-no misfortune
divert it's grandly indestructible and
ineradicable.
Gen. Lee was educated at West Point,
entering that institution in 1850, and
was graduated in the class of 1854, num-
bering forty-six-his rank in the class
being seventeenth. He, as a cadet, was
especially distinguished for horseman-
shin. HI was assigned to duty in the
United States army as I'd lieutenant of
the 4th artillery. In 1856, he was pro-
noted to lst lieutenant of the same
shortly afterwards was made regimental
quartermaster, and probably filed other
staff positions; we know that he acted as
A. A. G. of the department of Florida
in 1851 or SO, under Col. Loomis, and
al different times served in the United
States army in the States of Texas,
Florida and Kansas, and the territory of
Nebraska. In 1861, probably late in
January, or early in February, when he
found war was inevitable between the
North and South, and he had to take part
for or against his own State, that lofty
devotion to South Carolina, Of which we
have spoken, prevailed he resigned his
commission in the United States army,
and went Immediately TO Charleston.
He was appointed captain in the army
of bis State and of the Contederacy,
early after reaching home, and assigned
to duty on the staff Of General Beaure.
gard. He participated in the attack
upon Fort Sumter-in fact, he was one
Of the two officers sent by Beauregard TO
demand its surrender, and to carry the
order to Gre upon il when Major Ander-
son refused this demand. lie served on
other staff duty after the fall of sumter
but these duties were not congenial 10
him-was elected Captain Of q battery
in Hamplon's Legion, and through the
instrumentaliiy Of that officer, was re-
lieFed on the staff, and took the com,
nand Of his company. He was engaged
Tor months on the Potomac, ia harassing
qunboats with his artillery was in the
retreat from Manassas to yorktown, and
tbeu back to Richmond. Early that
winter was made major Of artillery.
shortly afterEards vas promoted to
lieutenant coloneloy Of The same, and
vas engaged 10 the battle OF Seven
Pines, in General Whihngs division.
He served in Magruder's division in the
seven days fight around Richmond was
in The action Of Savage Station aud