Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-09-17
OBITUARY.

OBITUARY.
Died, most suddenly. yet peacefully, on Wed
nesday, Aug. "A, at the Yellow Sulphur Springs,
Montgomery county, Virginia, in the 35th
year OF his age, General Edwin @. Lee, eldest
son of Mr. Edmund J. and Mrs. Henrietta B.
Lee OF Shepherdstowp, West Virginia, and
son in law OF Rev. DR.. PsndIeton, of lexing.
ton. Va.
Having entered upon life at the bar with
bright prospects year or two before the war;
this brilliant officer, at the first summons Of
Virginia, threw himself for her defence into
that great conflict as Lieutenant in volunteer
company from his native town, in which capa.
city he rendered against the atrocious preliLn-
mary raid of John BroWD, service that attrac-
ted the attention Of his great knsnan and SUD
sequent Commander. .in Chief, General Il. Il.
Lee.
When at the first note OF war the Second
Regiment Virginia volunteer infantry, to which
Ferry. he was forthwith made it's adjutant, and
soon thereafter, Stonewall Jackson-haviDe
taken command-selected him for his first staff
appointment, and made him his own coDfden.
a aid,de camp-a peculiar distinction, in
view of the many young soldiers, accomplished
by military training, then under the eagle eye
of that sagaclous captain.
This trusted staff officer was after the first
battle of Manassas, on the special recommen
lstion of his renowned cbet, made Major of
the Thirty third regiment Virginia volunteer
infantry. By election he duly became its Lieu
tenant Colonel, and ultimately, on the death OF
the lamented Col. Neff. its Colonel; and this
command he gallently led in the summer and
fall campaigns of G2, from the bloody tis'd OF
Cedar Mountain to the battle Of fredericksburg,
December 18th.
Severe bleeding OF the lungs, to which for
some time he bad been liable, but would not
yield, there brought on by exposure, compelled d
him, on surgeons injunction. for season to
seek relief But allowing himself no GuesceDc',
he Only changed his post OF periIous service.
unti increasing disease forced him to accept
the non combattant position of judge las Col.)
on a Confederate military court.
Although thereby exempt, and by disease
fully exoDerated. from field duty, his heroic
spirit could brook no iuacion wheu crisis
came, demanding the best that every man
could render Being iu- Richmond when, in
the summer Of 1864 it was threatened by But
ler's army from Bermuda Hundreds, he prompt
y volunteered on the staff OF General RANSOM
10 aid in defending the capital; aud TO the pun
shment Inflicted on the notorious Massacbu
se,ts champion his ssgaclty, energy and galIan-
In consequence of conspicuous merit thus
cviLcsd in addition to previous eminent servi-
ces, more responsible duties were now agalo
assigned this efficient soldier. While still ID
camp near Drewry's Bluff, laboring tor the
completion of Buffers discontinue, he recelV-
ed orders to repair to tho Valley, with head
quarters at Staunton, and employ his energies
in ralIyne the people, organizing reserves, sc
curing supplies, and contributing as much as
possible to the efficiency OF the armies and u
innate SUCCESS of the great Southern cause.
The tact resolution and success with which
this task was performed uoder the accumua
ing difficulties of the time, fully justified the
confidence reposed in the young officer. Aud
on special recommendation of the world ap-,
proved commander in chief, he was rewarded
with the rauk of Brgsder.
The population sharing his dsuntless spirit,
responded commercially to his appeals, and he
had the satisfaction Of supplying some valus-
Bile recruits to the army of Northern Virginia.
co-operating with the brave defenders Of the
Valley and eventually securing every particle OF
public property under his charge, though los.
ing his own personal baggage, when the voter
an and intrepid. Early, oveiborne by numbers,
had to yield this garden of the State 10 her
invaders -,
The youthful General, sagacous in council
az vigorous 10 action, still an invalid, was, late
in 'G4, selected for confidential service abroad,
and running the blockade from Wilmington,
N. c., proceeded via Nassau, to Canada, where
with approved fidelity and skill, he represented
the interest of the Southern Confederacy until
the fatal overthrow of that short lived ma
tonality.
Since returning, year thereafter TO his na.
tive State, General Edwin Lee, although
suffering under mortal disease, has like most
OF the true Southern stock, assiduousy devoted
himself to needtul labor for current mantc-
naEce and towards repairing ruin which hlum'
phant aggression has left in its track.
With force of character commanding ad-
miration, simple Christian picty. winning
affeotionate confidence, and genial humol
everywhere diffusiug cheertulness, he has dis
charged the duties and borne the trials OF lot
peculiarly chequered by privilege end pain,
soace and suffering.
Distinctly warned of this impending early
death as have been his fondly loving friends,
and long as they have anxiouSly ex pccted the
separation it brings not without poignant srIef
can they part with one 50 valued. But they
sorrow with o we'll founded Christian hope, and
cherish OF him precious memory cmba'med IN
their hearts.
SLAo-or cirdef as it is called in this coun-
try-has in Europe been recently found to DC
of great vaiue having been moulded into many
&c. .(.>l fhn MT OF