Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1870-08-05
THE VALLEY RAILROAD.
Gen. Lee Accepts the Presidency

1850 SPiASN III euio oCCtiod
which has given greater satisfaction to the
people than the expression of willingness on
the part of Gen. Robt r. Lee to accept the
Presidency of the Valley Railroad. This
had been sought on the part Of Col NJ. G..
Hartman, the President of this road, for
some considerable length of time. and we
know none Of our people who were more
ecstatic in their delight on the receipt of the
letter Of Gen. Lee, accepting the position,
than Col Hartman.
Modest to fault and distrusting his huge
abilities, Gen. Lee declined for long time,
until the subject was thrust home upon him,
by large number of his friends and admi-
rers in the Valley, when, $50 important
does he regard this work. to the interests of
the people of the Valley, and of the whole
State" and SO persistent were the requests,
that he accepted the proffered position. It
sent thrill of pleasure through all who
heard it announced, and those who hear it
now for the first time must feel the same
ecstatic emotion.
When he called upon our people to fur
nlsh, from their almost denuded granaries.
supplies for his gallant army, each and all
wed in hurrying forward the greatest
amount. He now makes another call for as
grand purpose. Who will withstand this,
perhaps, last appeal of orr noble old Chief
tain But hear what he saws:
WASHINGTON COLLEGE,
Lexington, July 29th, 1870.
Col. N. e. Harmaaaa. Judge H. ". Shefey,
Co.. Jno. B. Baldwin, 4. IT. II. Stuart,
Thos. j. Niche, Esq, and Others
Gentlemen Your favor of July 25.h
has been received. In response to your
kindness in urging me to accept the Presi-
dency of the Valley Railroad, and to your
request that, if agreeable, should signify
my willingness to do SO. have to say
that though l have no desire for the office
and would much prefer that it should be
conferred on some other person, yet, so i'm
portant do regard this work to the inter-
est of the Valley and of the whole State,
that when the Company is fully organized.
if they desire my services as President, and
think proper to make such arrangements as
may render my acceptance of the position
not incompatible with my present duties, I
shall be willing to accept the control of the
road and to use what energy and ability I
may possess in furthering the speedy COM
pletion of the work
have been for the last day or two under
medical treatment, which will render it out
OF my power to be with you in Staunton on
Saturday. [ regret being thus prevented
from sestliylng by my presence, my inter
est in the success Of the Valley Railroad
am, very respectfully,
Your obd't servt
R. E. LEE.
In apother letter, published in another
column, he says: Tn his opinion, there is nc
work of SO great Importance to the county
and the Valley as this road, and that he
feels assured our people are too intelligent
not to see it's advantages, and too patriotic
not to secure them, and that Con tomorrow
Saturday, when the opportunity is presen
ted of contributing to it he can moi thinl
they will fail to do SO.
This is the calm expression OF one whose
opinion is, as it should be, Of weight among
us. With him at the head of this great
work, it must and will be all that he antici-
pates. Shall he be the President Of the
Valley Railroad? It is with you who cast
your votes to morrow to say. You, SO ma
nv of whom followed his unquestioned lead
in the past are now called upon to follow
his lead again, and to show whether yor
possess the confidence you formerly reroscc
in him. Will you do so. We trust you
WILL and, by your votes for the subscription
make Gen. Lee President Of what in the
future must become one of the most valuable
railroads in the country.
The French and Prussian troops have
been confronting each other for some days
with only slight diminishing, until the Isl
inst, when the French attacked vigorously
the Prussian lines near Saarbuck and were
repulsed.
On the End inst, Tuesday last, consid'
cradle engagement took place. The follow
ing is the French report of it:
PARIS, August 2, evening.-An officla
dispatch from Metz announces that at II
o'clock this morning the French had a seri
ous engagement with the Prussians. Oul
army took tie offensive, crossed the frontier
and invaded the territory of Prussia.
In spite Of the numbers and position o
the enemy, few Of our battalions wer'
sufficient to carry the heights which over
look Saarbuck, and our artillery was no
slow to drive the enemy from the town
The elan Of our troops was SO great tina
our losses were slight The engagement
commenced at eleven and ended at on
o'clock.
The Emperor assisted at the operations
and Prince Imperial, who accompanied hin
everywhere, received on the first field o
batti, his baptism of fire. His presence o
mind and saag jroi1 in danger were worthy
of the name he bears The Emperor re
turned to Metz at 4 2. nj.
King WilliamIeft Berlin for the 'front.' OF
Sunday last. amid the widest enthusiasm OF
the part Of the people, and, Napoleon being
also 10 immediate command of his forces. &C
counts for the above exciting news from :hs
seat of war. We may now expect series
of huge and fercely contested engagements
Holden, with his underling Kirk, has beer
having high old time in North Carolina -
They have arrested citizens without cause