West-Jersey pioneer., 1867-06-21
GENERAL LEE.

snt of the New York Times, who is at
present making tour in Northern Vir-
ginia, thus describes an interview with
the fallen chieftain of the rebellion:
.sHaying made somewhat close study of !
the campaigns of Gen. LEE, and having, |
besides, followed with interest his operations
on the actual field of battle, had long been |
desirous of learning by personal sight and
converse what manner of man he is. The |
proffer of an introduction by personal friend
enabled me to crafty this wish; and, after
we repaired to the residence of the
chieftain Of the Army of Northern Virginia
II stands on College Hill, and is modest
brick dwelling with white wooden pillars In
front. placed amid pretty garden, shaded by
some fine trees and large solitary weeping
willow. The house is surrounded by high
fern hedge that lends it somewhat the air of
aristocratic secluson. Although it was no
later than nine in the morning, Gen. LEE had
already gone to his office in the college, which
is but stones throw removed. Here was
table piled up with papers and college cata-
logues and textbooks; but no remlniscence of
war was visible, no sword or spur or insignia.
Whatever met the eye was entirely academic,
not in the least military. And seated at the
table was handsome-looking gentleman,
color-a very portly, well-preserved gentle
man of some four and fifty, with fine
bronzed complexion, nobly modelled nose,
compact head, gray hair and beard of the same
color, closely cropped-who rose to shake
hands in courtly, gracious manner. 1t was
the man who welded the thunders of Chancel-
lorsville and the Chicahominy-it was Presi-
dent LEE.
With the putting off the harness of war,
r l~I Lad do all a.
and its thoughts, "reminiscences and passions,
and is devoting himself exclusively to the
interests of Washington College. To this fact
was due that, on the occasion of this, my first
interview, was only able to see him for few
minutes; for he was on the point of leaving to
meet an appointment with the Common
Council of the tOwn-a body before which he
had to lay question of great pith and moment
to wit: the grading of new pathway to the
college building. 1t is such abstruse and
difficult problems that now engage his atten-
ton; and if learn Alright, he finds it harder to
hold his own in those controversies than he
did in the deadly imminent point of battle
He was god enough, however, to make an
appointment with me for another hour, and
on meeting him on his return L had with him
long, full and frank conversation. If it would
be of any interest to your readers to learn
what are his views touching such questions in
the Virginia campaigns as | had occasion to
ask enlightenment from him, it would yet be
~ ~ no W e eeoihg
sbo,':d e.atn 80, 80, y. N' ~ LEE .na' l
nno ,,,ou.n1 anoa5 - a s ~ go - A@s a
nv ta' ~ oau ~ ~ VIC papois' anu
oons.ueilas e ~" nc las peen hiisi iepIesehteu,
..ls 10 no' "onuoriui. hias say lIat WIN
n' n'o iiionoo no n1s ~ ono ouoJeo. Vi
.no va. '. M . u.. ~ ~ io u oPiiion
on Poi'loa' La''o': . unuel''Snu, an however,
iro,n muse "no 81 IA intiinao uany ooh' verse
WIN mn, .naS 10 70 ~ ~ oI .he
peop'e oi ms Sia'e' anu ol Tue SCUM coming
esynssty nnrsn~ the work ~ Of ] reeoustrnn ana
t;on ), PERSONALLY he is at nresant in tha
aush Of health Ha freonentlv r;des o,,.. - Ia I'D
the clearest image I have been able To form of
| him in the war-like mood. came 10 me tbis
| afternoon when with high.ton hoots and
| leathern gauntlets. he rode ont on the same
prav horse that used to bear him in the strasS
| of battle. He is greatly beloved bv the neo.
ole for his modesty. qentleness and goodness
and is a. prodigions tayorite with children
ssIf Won should see him as he moves abont
among MS ,, said one of the people oftbe town
| TO me ssand the unaffected kindness and sim
picity of his life. Won might fancy What he
would be in greatness. He has added great
prosperitv TO the town. and Washington Col
| iege. under his Presidency. has been lifted
| from the grade of a broken.down academy
the nosition of a respectable and biohlv fIour
ishinp institution of learning.
That Ten. LEE will firure in history when
il comes to be written with full LIGHT and with
| ont passion or preiudice. as verv able com.
mander. skillful metbodical soldier. who
made several admirable defensive camn,ions
fought two or three brilliant aggressive actions
protracted the war on the limited theatre of
Virginia for four years by careful husbandrv
of his resources. and finally snccumbed only
to greatly superior numbers. NAV. 1 conceive.
be readily conceded. That he will figure as
the South nov, 56pnras ,h'f tha
dnnbtod nj ch,raotar +a,,aS ;ts sb.,o .athay a.
froro IN odnairohle haIanoa Of ;ntaIaat,aI a,sd
,,,nai n,'ai;t;as tbon fro,, tha ,,nasoss;1,' "1
anv oyermasteripg mower Spna men
varv fewN-are adeonate. thew ara srnran,e
tba amhodv rayolntians tbav siona are por+h,' u,
Of stndv IN was not nf sucb ue Io. ,sotad
nass;on be lacked abandon. narba aen Ibere 7
snosb eont;nmsiv ba Cd tr,,n
and vet th;nk NAV saS, be ,aoiled oe,vOsso,''
iotion Fnr II i val, T.. ~ ~ ue oon,
ardant lovar Of The ITnian and 4hs+ ho Ss m"s on
hava Iearned sinco 7 csn,a bara 80" mas' 90
beart on emancnationist He uas +hanasa,a ~
1 AIot e T. IL q