The New York herald., 1869-05-06
GENERAL LEE.

eraI Lee-The Confederate Hero win his
Old Friends-ReceptiOn Mt the Mansion
House-Interview with the Generai-Con.
versation Between President Grant and Hia
ALEXANDRIA, Va, May s, 1869.
Alexandria is having sensation such as 1t has
not enjoyed since the days when 1t was an Old Capt.
tai offence to indulge IN theluxury OF cheer Tor
JEFF Davis. It's highly esteemed fellow citizen and
much revered Confederate chief, General Robert +.
Lee, is spending few days there with view
to renewing ancient friendships and revivin9 past
recollections. Although Alexandria was the city In
which General Lee received part Of his early educa
tion and in which he resided, 1t has not since
the collapse of the rebellion been favored with q
visit from him except once during last summer,
when he paid nying visit, stopping but few
hours On this occasion he came to shake han ds
all around and chat over "Auld Lang Syne." That
is ne came to remain few days and was prepared
to do the hand shaking and chatting II disposition
that way should be manifested. The General landed
from the eleven O'Clock boat yesterday morning and
walked unostentatiously up King street towards the
dwelling OF Mrs. A. NJ Ftzhugh who is a cOnnec-
ton of the Generals by the wife of his
brother Smith Lee. On his way to Mrs. Fltz
hugh's he was recognized by number OF
citizens, all of whom bowed with the profoundest
respect and some of whom dotIed their hats Alto
when friends, acquantanceS and admirers came
in to exchange word or two with the great Gen.
Confederacy event reached their ears IN the
United States. Thus IN the exact ratio that
the Confederacy contracted, the deeds 81 the the
country finally disappeared altogether, leaving all
its greatness and glory centred IN a1ew OF ITS lead
ing men. This VIII account for the JtrOre or adula-
ton which being poured upon the head OF General
Lee IN Alexandria. The "L0st Cause" Is now hon
ored IN the persons of those who guided its affairs
In its last hours and General Lee Is regarded as the
exact exponent Of the true idea OF Southern indepen
dence n the midst OF poverty ana @ defea ne Is coId
the government or who are united with the great
political party OF moral ideas and only opens the
warm side of his heart 10 mourners and friends or
the defunct Confederacy. He acts as though the
famous motto of General Taylor now the rule OF
his life 81 ask no favors ana shrink from no re-
The number Of enthusiastic visitors multiplied so
fast that the Generals friends prevailed all G0on ni
to all his friends for a meeting Accordingly
notice published in the Alexandra gazette an
| nouncing that General Lee would receive them
at the Mansion House from eight to ten O'Clock on
| Tuesday evening, May 4. This notice was over.
| whelmingly responded to, and eight O'Clock had
scarcely Struck when the parlor of the
| hotel began to fill. For the next three hours
| q constant stream OF visitors poured into the
| reception room and General Lee had during last
evening the most ncontestble proof OF the exalted
esteem IN which he Is held by the community Of
Alexandria. The greater portion OF his visitors
were. OF course ladies'. Great, indeed, was the
pressure against the crinone to obtain squeeze OF
-
ing from his handsome dark eyes. Several
ofthe enthusiastic ladies-it s needless to say
they were all in their teens-found themselves crav
ing for his notice, unsatisfied by a shake aud a
smile, and requested TO be kissed In so bewitcning
manner that the General was fam 1T. to recall his
obey !" Certain of the fair ones were overheard to
remark, as they departed from the Generals pres
ence, folding up their daintily perfumed gloves,
rhat those gloves should henceorth be laid by as
family helrlooms."
The General returned to Mrs. Fitznughs, having
been the recipient OF great an ovation Of respect
from the citizens OF Alexandria as any individual
since the days OF Washington and the visitors re-
tired with the consciousness OF having gwen more
accurate expression OF their loyalty than could have
| been ascertained by whole army OF writer's and
politicians.
Finding that the incidents OF the reception formed
the absorbing theme OF conversation to-day over the
whole extent Of the city, and that General Lee was
| then the lion or the hour, your correspondent,
nothing daunted by the i'll success OF those who had
ventured before, resolved to beard the hon, and
old style brick mansion, recently reJuvenated with
modern improvements and conveniences, at the
corner of Washington and Queen streets. The bell
was answered by q very dminutive specimen
Of the national ward" aud to the question,
ais General Lee int" replied "Sir, walk. "
When asked TO carry card to the General, the little
ebony pointed to the door OF the paror, saying,
ushered into the parior, was confronted by gen.
teman of medium height, with white hair aud
close cut white beard and mustache, lustrous
brown eyes, which betokened a much younger
and more vigorous frame than might nave
been supposed. Judging from the whiteness
inclined to the fullness OF middle age ami dressed
entirely In sober back-ln short, General Lee
SELF Beng Obliged to introduce myself did SO, al
visit. The General received me courteousy and
gracefully, but requested most particularly to be ex
cused from interview, the object OF which was TO
form letter for publication. 81 have no desire "
said he. "to appear prominently before the public
"Your movements, General, VIII be sure to prove
| Interesting 10 the public. You that the news
papers have devoted considerable attention to you
aud whatever you may say will not faii to receive
crnl adj
II observe that the newspapers manage to learn
pretty much all there Is to be known concerning my
inoyemepts,r replied the General. .but there is
really nothing that can say to interest the pubic
and hope, therefore, you Will excuse me. shall
be glad to you as friend but request the visit
may not be made in your professional capactyr
''Do you intend to remain long in the city Gene.
al shall be here until Friday morning. replied
the General, "when | shall leave for Lexington.
During my stay | expect 10 visit a number of old
friends and receive the calls or those who may wish
AS the General remained standing during this
short colloquy while several friends were waiting
10 resume the conversation where your cOrrespon.
dent interrupted II, aud "a the General manifested
SO much reilcence to converslng with the public,
deemed 1t about time to retire, which did, with the
assurance Of the General that he was glad to have
met me.
the visit paid by the General TO the President during
his soiourn Washington was as short rs the inter-
view between them was pthy. This friend claimed
TO nave received the account from General Lee him
self IL appears that Lee, according to his rep
resentatons, believed that as the President had In
ytel him to visit MIN he could do nothing less than
call upon him aud thank him for the invitation, and
this is all he did. The following conversation oc-
Cured between the President aud General Lee.
which lasted about Ave minutes:--
General LEE-Mr. President, called to-day, in
accordance with your kind invitation, with my
friends here, Mr. and Mrs. Taggart, OF baltimore to
thank you for the honor you have done me.
PREsiDENT--I did wish, General, To have some
what lengthy conversation with you In regard to
matters relating to your section Of theSc ountry II
such viii be agreeable to you.
Geuefal LEB-Mr President, would much prefer
that you should not take my opinions and views
as representing those OF the people OF Virginia and
the South, and do not think could give any
useful Information on that subject II you VIII
excuse me, Mr.. President, viii repeat my THANKS
for your invitation and bid you good day
General Lee drove In the carriage Oh b'snop yonns
Lee, General Cooper, formerly secretary OF war Oh
the confederacy, and Rev: Or. Packer. ne WIZ