The New York herald., 1870-10-13

by negroes mat public sentiment everywhere will be
averse 20 MS lnterment there. 1t Is than likely
the Governor will recommend that the h0nored re-
mains be laid IN Hollywood Cemetery, near this
city, where so many OF the heroes OF the Army OF
Northern virginia now rest on fames eternal camp
Ing ground
Sketch OF Robert Edmund Lee.
On quiet autumn morning, In the land which he
loved so WELL and, as he held served 80 faithfully
the spirit OF Robert Edmund Lee left the clay which
1t had so much ennobed and travelled out OF this
world into the great and mysterious land. Yesterday
the expressions Of regret which sprang from the few
who surrounded the bedside OF the dying soldier
and Christian win be sweled to-day into one mighty
voice Of sorrow resounding throughout our country
and extending over all parts Of the world where his
great genius and his many virtues are known. For
not to the Southern people alone shall be
limited the tribute OF q tear over the dead
virginian Here IN tue North, forgetting that
the time was when the sword OF Robert Edmund
Lee was drawn against us-forgetting and forgiving
all the years OF bloodshed and agony-we have long
since ceased TO look upon him as the Con-
federate leader, but have claimed him as
one of ourselves; have cherished and felt
proud OF his military genius as belonging to us; have
recounted and recorded his Jriumphs as our own
have extolled his virtues as rejecting honor upon
us-for Robert Edmund Lee was an American and
the great nation which gave him birth would be to-
u
lightly.
Never had mother q nobler son. In him the mill
tary genius of America was developed TO greater
extent than ever before. In him all that was
pure and lofty in mind and purpose found lodg-
ment. Digntfed without presumption, afYable
without familiarity, lie united all those charms
OF manners which made him the idol OF his
| friends and OF his soldiers and won for him the
| respect and admiration OF the world. Even as, in
the days Of his triumph, glory did not noxcate so
did not depress. From the hour that he sur.
rendered his sword at Apponiattox to the fatal
IN his qae smpe dsn men nas aGoe
bitterness nor regret over the lrrevOcaDle past. lie
conquered US in misfortune By the grand manner
us by his genius when the tramp Of his soldiers
resounded through the valleys OF Virginia.
And for such a man all tears and sorrow
to-day. Standing beside his grave men of the South
aud men Of the North can mourn with all the BIT
mon bereavement. May this unity OF griel-thIs
unselhsh manifestation over the loss Of the Bayar,l
OF America-In the season OF dead leaves and
withered branches which this death lslers in
bloom and blossom like the distant coming spring
into the lowers OF hearter accord
EARLY CAREER.
Robert e. Lee was born In Virginia, In the year
1905. His father was the celebrated General Henry
Harry Lee), the known friend ana warm eulogist OF
George Washington. Like oil the Lees, deceased
had ever strong aIection for bis native state.
our forefathers struggled to secure the indepen-
dence we now enjoy, the Lees distinguished them
selves In libcrtys cause and aDored faithfully aud
enorgetically for Americas freedom. General Robert
u. Lee, whose death we are called upon this day to
chronicle, received a liberal education, and was
1926; four years later he graduated
with honor from this school. which
has given to the American nations almost all OF the
most brilliant, abe and accomplished soldiers
which are to be found IN the pages of American his
tory. Lee was second Iii his class OF forty.siX men,
bers, among whom we find the names Of Joseph +.
Johnston, o. M. Mitchell and q. r. Buckingham,
all OF whom have, attained eminence In the profess
sion OF arms. Johnson distinguished himself on me
Confederate side, and the gallant Mitchell, the ac
compshed scholar, as well as the intrepid soldier
a name Of which every American feels proud has
VISIT TO EUROPE.
Shortly after leaving West Point Lieutenant Lee
made voyage to Europe. where his manners and
requirements secured him the entrfe TO the best So
cety OF the European capitals The young vlrginian
was one OF pleasure and enjoyment he nevertheless
found occasion to busy himself with Inquiries into
matters apperaining to the profession which he had
chosen This experience, slender as it was proved
OF advantage to him afterwards He stored his
mind with what was useful, and when in future
years he had to draw upon this store OF knowledge
he did so but to improve and adapt II for his own
advantage. On his return home he reoined his regi
ment In 1886 he was promoted from second TO first
lieutenant an two years later, In 1885, he was made
captain. The year lSa5 saw HIM appointed mem-
Der OF the Board OF Engineers.
WAR WITH MEXICO.
In 1916 the trouble which for some time had been
brewing between the United states ana the restless
IL
The American army marched for the frontier and
entered Mexican soil. Robert l.. Lee was chief eng-
neer OF the army IN Mexico The gallantry or his
conduct at Cerro Gord0 won for him his promotion
to major April Is, lS46. In the summer following
the fierce and bloody conflicts OF Contreras and
ChurubuSco TOOK place, and at both Lees
bravery was 80 conspicuous that his promotion
10 lieutenant colonelcy followed on August
90 The stormingof Chaputepec, where so many brave
men met death, Afforded Lee another chance TO dis
tingnsh himself, ana for his conduct on that bloody
day he was rewarded with colonecy. AZ Cha-
pultepee, Lee was badly wounded. When the Mexi-
can war was brought to close he was reapponJed
member OF the Board Of Engineers, which position
he continued to hold until 1852, when he was raised
to the post or superintendent of West Point Military
appointed lieutenant colonel OF cavalry. On
the 10th oil March, 1851 he appointed colonel OF
cavalry, and on the 25th day of the following
month he resigned his commission In the United
States Army and offered his sword TO Virginia.
HIS REASON FOR JOINING THE REBELLION.
1t has, we think, never been denied that when the
secession movement began he was opposed to 1t.
In conversation he Is reported to have said that he
did not believe the election OF Mr. Lincoln SUM-
cient cause for dissolving the Union. Furthermore
affection for the Union But he had been reared in
the school OF State rights and he resigned his
commission because he held that his Hrst ale
glance was due To- his native State. Had
Virginia never seeded he never would have taken
UP arms against the national government. Thus.
hardly blame the man. His motives were as pure
as could be. No man mOurned his detection more
than Gene al Scott, who regarded him as, next to
General Albert sydney Johnston, the best officer In
the army.
HIS MILITARY OPERATIONS IN WEST VIRGINIA.
Virginia accepted the offer Of Lee, and appointed
him Vommander-n Chief OF the state forces. Ee-
fore long tue cUalederacy was 0iganlheA AMI Jeu