New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-10-13
OBITUARY..
GEN. ROBFRT r.. LEE.

manifested themselves for two days past ana DIS IroS
had been summoned In expectation OF hls sudden Gnu
Gen Lee wac born at stratford, Wortmorland County
Va, Jan 10 1907. in tho where Richard henry au
Francis Ightfoot Lee born At the age OF ~ MS
father died. and he was placed by his mother IN the MIL
tary Academy at West Point, where he remained lonr
years. graduating 1872 second IN class OF is Sco
remarkable the branoy of their records The young
cadet was at once appointed 10 nou'o"''
in the Corps Of Typographical Engineers ana uIous"
the uneventfu years OF military IRE bei"ccn Ni' ~
pcintment and the Mexican War only to the rank
Of Captain. His singular capacities had lmptesSou ini
selves strongly his suporOrs however and "hen Gen
Scott invaded Mexico Capt. Lee was appointed Choi
Engineer Of the army under General Wool In thls
branch OF the service, Gen Lee like the great
won his first recognition, and Gen. scott instantly a."
vanced the Young officer TO whose skill be attributed the
reduction of Vera Cruz He was placed on the uenerai
staff and directed almost exclusively the engineering
operations Of the army invasion. In every action SUD
seauentIy fought during the campaign Gen. Scott taEes
occasion 10 MENTION tho SKILL enterprise and Wonderim
Judgment of his young ard. Lee received TWO pro-
motions for his services in the campaign III
lSi7 was brevetted Major in recognition OF MS Orlh'
cooperation at Cerro GOrdo; and later at ChapuePeo
and Contreras he was raised 20 the rank OF Lieutenant
Colonel He was furthermore honOred with the post OF
Superintendent at West Point retaining his held-rank.
In this position he remained three years, working
energetic reform and augmenhng the enclehoy oi INC
Institute by wise and profitable suggestions 70
Congress- Through his recommendation, the course OF
study which lad hitherto covered but four years was
increased ve rendering it as complete anu rigorous
| those In Europe.
In the midst this brilliant administrative career,
Congress authorized the raising Of two cavalry rcsi-
! nents and Of the second Col Lee appointed Lieu
! manufactured. The regiment was commanded by Al
bert Sydney Johnson who afterward preceded Col Ice
in the command Of the Army Of Northern virginia Inc
regiment when organized, in 1867 sent to Texas
and remained duty Southwestern border untl
1882 fighting Indians and performing genera. garrison
duty.
In the Autumn Of this year Col LIE returned wash
ngtOn and took active part the hunting down OF John
Brown. lie proceeded yigilantly against the feeble
band at Harper's Ferry, and IN short time all who
were not killed prisoners. He resOrted 10 no eX'
IRENE measures and il record that the prisoners
spared from the fury Of the Virginia mob solely Oy
his hrmness.
In 1861 Col Ice re0ined h regiment at San Antonio,
Texas, and remained there until the 1Iing on sumter
On the Goth Of April 1901 Col Lee after servlcs Of 25
years resigned bis position lu the u. S. Army sending
his letter Of resignation 10 Gen Scott at Washington
1t was in the following terms:
AELIyGroS Va. Arr %. 1861.
CENTRAL Since my interview with 50. on Size I5in
mi, i- f., he INV f5er'Sr5 tender nv re-, maj. on
tS,b rcst ,I ,,il ,oc,,r,6,eud for ,cenfance N
would have been presented at hut for the struggle
10 has cost me o. para lc Iyse, from s,cc to winch
lave devoted a the hest years u my liz and al ito
ability possessed.
o ceutury-I have experienced nothing but kindness
from NJ supcr9rs, anu the most cordial friendship from
my comrades. To no one, General have been - much
indebted to yourself for uI orm kindness and conad-
Grafton, and Is has alw4y been nJ aiisat lesife 10
meet your appreciation shan carry ~ ne rave me
most grateful reooeo1iOnsOf your kind consideration,
save in defense of nv native state | never desire
again 70 draw my sword BE pleased TO accept my most
wishes for The continuance OF you Happiness ana
piO'p'''''' A-- ''''''' ''''' r. E LIE.
To his sister. The wife Of On officer loyal 20 bis aas he
wrote:
Ny DEAR SISTER: nm ,rievc1 ~ my inability - 200
you. Iuave been waiting Tor more
"cDuver.auf season who. has brought TO many before
me deep and last NJ REGRET We are in state 81
at,t W rvcIrtinn into WHEN VIRGINIA after long
struggle has been drawn; and though / recognize no
necessity f0r this state OF things ana would h-.e for
real or supposed vt my own lad 20 meet tho
question wlother should take Par, asahst my haule
ing Of loyalty and duty % American citizen. have
1 nSl 2efI at reif lA' I Td ' ny home have
therefore, sled my commission IN ,ha army and save
that IDS poor services may never bo needed hope
may never be called upon TO draw M sword.
This was the only "deluatOn" Of his position ever
Given by him His resignation was instantly accepted,
and he AT once took up his residence in Richmond,
Commander Of the forces Of Virginia with the rank Of
General, to which De had been appointed by Gov.
Ieieher 1l remained ~ biz 49, sei - work to
organize tire state troops declining any tor AL that
took him into The general services Of The ConederaE'
A. this time Montgomery the Rebel Capital and the
Virginia troops virtually independent; but, soon
after lie assumption OF command by Gen. Lee the seat
Of Government transferred to Richmond. and he was
formally recognized a. one the lsurgent chiefs
ceiyng the r4nk-therto unknown IN this country-of
fun General the commission coming from the Confed-
crate War Department lie thus placed miro on the
List of he Rebel army roster, Cooper and Albert sydney
Johnson oly o. t t for,.y n, Wcsi1fD Viz.
t.sTf r4. IsI Del
Tue caufc 81 was OF the tllfes' of far whole LIST
~ ,{ebr oi.stfians AMI the brilliant promise Of Lee
and nttor defeat In two or three decisive actions Nc
St, ,TireJ or DESTROYED his army and finished the
caunj.t Inn West virginia. Transferred from tbs field
OF his discontinue Con. Lee TOOK command ON The
$. His only aim wa, defend he coast towns and
me seems 10 nave successful IN holding the less *
/ gssgt.nIe tie Reba.s lad grown t.rtI
OF JEFF Davis a. t- military, ., J. leader oder
e-aIIu-CLlct u he Rebel armies The 4csire was ac-
quieced IN By The Ireslie9 ana cen lie wa. trans,
fered 20 Richmond a. sole director oi an te almr. ot
the COufedD cy, subject Only 10 the SUPERVISION ~ the
President 10 assume. .,-5 ~, u - y y. -; yvat
vason The presence Lee as organizer was at once
re ~ tIe army u virginia which hid heretofore met
with no marked since the al lair at Bull Run In
posted about the northern approaches OF Richmond,
ana the North IN daily expectation vi the id VI the
Early on the st began that fearful series Of battles
which resulted in the disastrous failure ol Mcclellan and
seven Pines, on May u, Gen. A 5. johnson was badly
/ wounded. and Gen. Lee took the Held DO prr.On. He
established his lines firmly and INN. dlatpy assumed
the defensive routing the entire tight wing ~ McCID-
lgu'- army. This movement he followed mp win yig0r,
and in less than week the Northern army or invasion
VS. leIul-s-ly cOOptd up at HlrllsuA'a Landing VI
! James River At Malvern IN the Rebels suffered "a
couplCe defeat, and the JbIcst officers trfCl,e Lee
bsr-ty for tIdaugcring his army and Capital by so M
Judged al he that as 1t may, only the udomita
Die COURAGE Of the Union troop and the pIJF4Irlt4l
presence 81 the gun boats saved the shattered fragments
OF the army that Lee alone have the credit OF per
/ Maueutly Gripping.
FqrIy in these series OF brilliant offensive operations
Cen lee had dispatched Gen. Jackson with MS corps