Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1870-02-15
An Interview With General Lee.

David McCrae is furnishing the Glasgow
(Scotland) aera2d with series of interesting
sketches of american men and women. He
describes his FIRST interview With Gen. Lee as
follows:
When got back to the hotel I found that
Lee, who was aware of my coming, had al
ready (With the courtesy SO conspicuous
amongst class of AmericaRs) sent his SER
want to inquire if had arrived, and to say
that he would like to see me at the college.
On going there after breakfast l was taken
up stairs and shown into the room set aside
for the use of the college president.
A noble looking man, dressed in gray mil
itary coat, who had been writing at a table
near the window, rose as I entered. He was
tall straight and solder-lILe. with crisp hair
turning white short trimed beard, pointed at
the chin, and dark imperial looking eyes, very
keen and searching. 1t was Robert =. Lee
the old Confederate commander.
AS the first words of greeting passed be-
tween us there was hidden sadness in his
Look which impressed me painfully. He was
suffering from ill,health at the time but it
was not look Of physical pain. Perhaps it
was only my own feeling, but it seemed as if
the shadow of the past was over him-as if
you could read behind the vigilance of his
dark eyes the fate of the South and of the
myriad who lay sleeping on the silent battle
fields,
When I Hns seated he began to inquire
where l had been in the South. aud about my
journey up-smiing at the somewhat doleful
account had to give him of my experience
in the stage from Goshen. He said there was
another road l might have taken-the one
from Staunton ''but they say whichever
road You take you wish by that you bad taken
the other" He had been twice by the Gosh
en- road on horseback. The scenery was very
grand.
He began to speak about Scotland, and said:
"T GU will meet with many of your countrymcn
here. The Valley of Virginia is peopled with
Schtch Irish-Pople who have come from
Scotland by way of Ireland. They have the
courage and determination of the Scotch, with
the Irish dash and intrepidity. They make
fine soldiers"
He said it was an old wish of his to visit this
country but it would never be realized DOW.
Stonewall Jackson had been in Scotland be-
fore the war. He had head him speak of it.
When some reference was made to the odds
against which the South had fought, and the
want there was of accurate statistics, told
him it was understood he was preparing a his.
tory of the war himself
Il have had that in view" he said; ''but
the time is not come for an impartial history.
If the truth were told just now, it would not
be credited"
When the books that had already appeared
were spoken of, l mentioned one. the proof
sheets of which, it was asserted, had been sub
mittcd to General Grant and himself for revi-
sion, he said 1T is a mistake. have new
er read history of the war Dor the biography
of any man engaged in it. Ny own life has
been written. but have not looked into it"
He added, after pause, Il do not wish to
awaken memories Of the past
He spoke highly of Shermsn's abilities
said Sherman had always been a good soldier.
He seemed much gratifed when told him
of the estimation in which he and Stonewall
Jackson had been held from the first by the
British people, irrespective altogether of Nor
them or Southern sympathics. He said, ar-
ter pause, jackson lies in the Presbyterian
burying-grOund at the other cztrcmityof Lex
ington."