Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1870-11-11

For morelthan half of thousand years
tie name of Lee has been illustrious, first
In the annals of England and next in the
history of our own country. During all
that prostracted period generations of he
roes, statesmen, scholars and soldiers, have
succeeded each other in this distinguished
family. It would doubtless be profitable,
but might prove wearisome at this time,
to trace it throug h all these years. There
fore, suffice it to say that the immediate
progenitor of Robert E. Lee was the ia
nous General Henry Lee Light Horse
Harry of the first revolution. Truly, q
most wonderful family, producing remark
able and great men in each generation
men without stain and without reproach
1t is indeed blessing when the virtues
OF noble races are hereditary 4-@ss--s-.
And do derive themselves from the imitation
or virtuous ancestors
Robert e. Lee was born on the 10Th day
of January 1907, in Westmoreland county,
in the State of Virginis. His early youth
was marked as being free from vice and
full of an earnest longing desire to do his
duty. At the age Of eighteen he entered
the military academy of West Point where
he graduated in regular course at the head
of his class. This latter fact entitled him
to place as Lieutenant in the corps OF to-
geographical engineers-tEe most distin-
guished and honorable branch of the SER
vice, He then entered upon his duties in
connection with the coast survey of the
United States. His first experience, how
ever. in strictly military point of view
was in the Mexican war, when as Captain
of Engineers he served with great aud dis.
tinguished credit on the staff If General
Winfield Scott. He was twice promoted
during this war for gallant and merltori-
GUS conduct, and after the war he received
an appointment to the important and dis
tinguished position of Superintendent of
the West Point Academy. In 1855 he re-
signed that position in order that be might
unite with his regiment the second caval-
ry. During that year the regiment was
sent to Texas, and Colonel Lee earned q
brilliant reputation for the manner in
which he conducted the warfare with the
Indians. He was afterwards placed in
command Of the force which was sent to
Virginia to put down the celebrated John
Brown raid in which he was eminentIy
successful.
But during all these years the fates were
sowing the seeds of strife in the peaceful
soil of the United States. The evil weeds
that sprang from them were anxiously
watched by the great intellects of the CT I'M
try, and from time to time they were cut
down and cast away. But the vicious roots
still remained and from them continued to
Spr1UR u StEOuSOr duu uOf0 NiSOTOuS
growth, which finally bore fruit in that
year of wrath and blood 1861.
Then came war, fearful, destructive,
desolating war |!
90 war ! what. what art thou?
At once the pride and tcourge OF mans
fallen state
After the mightiest conquest what ap-
pears Of al! thy glories for the vanquish-
ed. chains ! for the proud victors. what
Alas to reign DER desolated nations -
Into such war our people were pluDg
ed, and two hostile armies, composed of
men whose fathers had been brethren,
were about to confront each other with
bristling bayonets and loud mouthed can
non on opposite sides of tho river, with
the peaceful Potomac flowing between
on the yonder shore the sturdy sons of the
North, on the hituer shore the chivairous
children of the South. II was apparent
to all that n great war of sections was i'm
that it existed. The time
had arrived when all Southern men in the
army of the United States were required
TO make up their minds whether they
would draw the sword for or against the
State that gave them birth, their parents.
brothers, sisters, kinsman and friends !
When this alternative was presented to |
Lee, his great heart at once decided his |
course. lie would give up all the fattering !
prospects of eminence and distinction in |
he Northern army, and link his destines |
:or veal or woe with that of his own peo-
pie. That resolution being formed, his |
was Immediately forwarded to
General Scott, and as soon as it was &C.
'epted he went to Virginia, when he was
1t once placed in supreme command of
he forces of the State. Shortly afterwards
le was made General in the Provisional
Army of the Confederate States. His first
in Western Virginia did not
ully meet the high expectations of his
riends and admirers. But the authori
les at Richmond had a just and thorough
appreciation of his greatness and his
,enius, and notwithstanding his want Of
i'm to the command of all the Confederate
oroes. From thenccforth he was the
yDosure of all eyes. His name became
household word. Lee and victory grew
o be almost SYNONYMOUS terms. The
SOUTHERN heart was fired with that enthu
iasm which success always creates, while
be Northern heart was corresponding /
billed, their perseverance, was not whit
bated. From Mechanicsville Lee had
ne brilliant series of victories in Virginia.
md throughout all these fights he was
bly, assisted by his great Lieutenant
tonewall Jackson.
OdChSOu All, WudL glorious memories
luster around that blessed name While
Iee was the great creation of the war, as
were by natural causes, Jackson was the
1iracle of the war. Even as Minerva I
prung fully developed from the head of
jupiter, SO did Jackson burst upon the
Gene of action like mid day sun in the
lidst of darkness. Difficulties were his
eight, for his great genius could dispel i
aem as readily as vapor is driven by the {
torn. What seemed to others impossi- s
ilities we're mere playthings in his hands. /
nd out of what apps AIRED inevitable de- 6
lat he would snatch the priceless pearl of
ictory. His greatness was only equaled
y his modesty. For like fair and love,
maiden who in the midst of some great
nd fearful danger, has all unconsciously
zposed her beauties to the admiring gaze I
others. shrinks back when the occasion c
over and hurriedly seeks to veil them :
'om sight, SO did this wonderful man aud c
rilliant soldier with maidenly modesty {
eek to hide the beauty and glory of his r
reat deads from an admiring world. I have 9