The Lincoln County herald., 1870-10-20
Death or Gen. r. 4. Lee.

last at thirty minutes past nine O'Clock
on the morning Of the 18th inst, al
Lexington, Virginia. lie died Of con.
gestion Of tho brain.
As this news flashed over wires on the
morning of his death, many were the
hearts filed with sorrow and mourning.
Even those who fought against him in
our late unhappy strife, felt for him the
highest regard and awarded him the need
Of praise so justly due q great and good
man; then what must be the feeling OF
those whose sympathies we're ever with
him, and who followed him through
dangers such a. noue but brave men
dared to pass ? Is it strange that the
death Of such a man should cast a
gloom over the whole country, and es-
pccially the South, whero his goodness,
linked with the most gallant Of souls,
was almost idolized q? In Virginia
especially, his mother State, is this feel
ing general; and we'll may it be, for never
bowed to the stroke Of death a nobler
son Of hers than General Robert E. Lee.
We give below a brief sketch of his
life,, copied from the Missouri Republican
Of tho 18th inst:
Gen. Rober. E. Lee, whose death at
Va, yesterday, is chronicled
IN our telegraphic column, sprung from
the best stock of the Old Dominion his
father being Gen. Henry Lee, the init
mate personal friend Of Washington, and
the "light Horse Harry" Of revolution.
ary fame. The son, whose deeds and
name we're destined to be more widely
known than those Of the parent, was
born in Virginia In 1907, entered West
Point military acadamy and graduated
second in his class June 80, 1929. He
was commissioned brevet second lieuten
mt of the corps of engineers July LIST
Of the same year, and Immediately after.
ward received his full grade. In 1885 he
served as assistant astronomer for the de
of the boundry line between
Ohio and Michigan, was made FIRST lieu.
tenant, September 2l, 1886, captain, July
Z, 1888, was a member Of the Board Of
Visitors to the Military Acadamy, 1874,
and chief engineer Of tho army under
Of brigadier Gen Wool 10 the
Mexican campaign Of 1S46. He was
Major, April 1s, 1s47, "for
gallant and meritorous conduct at the
battle Of Cerro Gordo," brevetted lieu
tenant Colonel, August 20, 1847, "for
gallant and meritorous conduct in the
battles of Contreras and Uherubusco,"
brevtted Colonel September 13, 1847,
'for gallant and meritorous conduct in
he battle Of Chapultepec," where he re
,elved severe wound. He was a mem.
Der of the board of engineers from Sep
.embcr 8, 1845 to March 13, 1S4S, and
conducted several important surveys in
different pults OF tho country, and nt
one time was detailed to examine and re.
port upon the chanuel Of the Mississippi at
this city. At the breaking out the late
war be was lieutenant Colonel of the
second regular cavalry, but promptly re
signed his commission in the United
States army, rendered his services to
Virginia. AID from that. time forth linked
his fsto With the CoufedeIacy.
The military career of Gen. Lee dur.
ing the rebellion il too fresh 10 the
minds Of our readers 10 peed recspitula
ton. and it is enough 70 ray that be
vorthily filled the highest rsnk. ssd at
the leader Of wha. - impartial historian
has called THAT body Of incompatible 10
fsntry, the army Of Northern Virgins" 4"
sustained the falling fortunes Of . despe-
rate cause with IN intrepid coursge and
mastery ability which have given him
world vide fame. As . soldier, General
Lee may be rated as among the very best
America has ever produced, but the lus.
tire Of his achievements in the field is out
shone by the purer and brighter light Of
. spotless private character. He was, 10
the highest aud best sense Of the phrase,
q christian gentleman. Actuated BY no
mean ambitions, Influenced by NO petty
jealousies, he was ever guided by what be
believed to be the dictates Of duty; and
though there will be always a wide diver.
versity Of opinion as to his conduct in
relation to our civil struggle, even his
bitterest enemies have never called in
question the honesty Of the motives which
led him to fight beneath the banner Of
the South. Since the termination Of the
war, his course has commended itself to
the appreciation Of all. Accepting the
result of the contest in good faith, he
has resolutely declined any participation
10 politics, and devoted his entire time
and attention to tho university whose
presidential chair he held. This wise
discretion has brought its appropriate
reward, for though the scars of the terrible
conflict in which he took SO prominent
> part have scarcely disappeared, we bo,
lieve there are few people in the North
who will not receive the tidings Of bis
death with unfeigned regret. He was .
chivslrous foe and there 10 no stain upon
bis honor or his sword.
But il Gen. Leo WAS respected at the