Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-10-13
DEATH OF GENERAL ROBERT E. LEE
HIS CAREER.
Personal "reminiscences.
His Residence at Arling ton.


His Residence at Arlington.
General Robert e. Lee, whose serious illness
at his home, In Lexington, Virginia, was an
nounced in yesterdays STAR. died Yesterday
morning about half past o'clock, aged 6s wears
smonths and q days. deep feeling of gloom
is reported to have per vaded the whole commu-
nifty Of Richmond on the receipt of the news.
The bells will be toled on all the public build
ings in that city to-day. The Governor will OH
cially communicate the event to the Legislature
the Council will take appropriate action, and
all business will be suspended.
HISTORICAL FAMILY.
General Robert E. Lee was a member of the
historical family Of Westmoreland Lees, his first
American ancestor being Richard Lee, who set
tied in the nor IL ern neck of Virginia. and whose
grandson, Thomas Lee, was one OF the leading
men OF the Virginia colony and president of the
council. Richard Henry Lee, son of Thomas,
was the first to move in the American Congress
that the American Colonies be independent
and, with his brother, Francis LightfOot Lee
signed the Declaration of Independence. Gem
eral Robert +. Lee was the son OF the famous
Light Horse Harry Lee, nephew of Thomas
Lee, before mentioned y of Revolutionary fame.
The maiden name of General Robert +. Lees
mother was Annie Carter, daughter of Charles
Carter, Of Shirley, Virginia.
GENERAL LEES EARLY MILITARY CAREER.
West Point in 1926, being then about 10 years of
age. He took the head OF his class Immediately
uron entering the academy, and kept it until
he graduated in 1929. In 1882 he married Miss
Gusts, the daughter of George W. Parke Gus
ns, the adopted son Of General Washington, aud
through her became the proprietor of Arlington
House, and the White House on the banks OF
the Pamunkey. During the Mexican war he
was q captain in the engineer corps, and was an
especial favOrite with General Scott. In the
official reports Of the engagements before the
city OF Mexico conspicuous mention is made OF
his skin and gallantry. When the intelligence
received here Capt. Il. E. Lee was dispatched
py the secretary OF War, in command Of a COM
Pany OF =. s. marines, to protect the United
States property, which was supposed to be in
Imminent danger of being destroyed by the
raiders. Capt. Lee directed the breaking in OF
the engine house by the marines, and the cap
ture OF John Brown and party.
COMMANDMENTS CHIEP OF THE CONFEDERATE
FORCES.
Upon the secession Of his native State, I'm
April, 1861, the Virginia convention appointed
him commander in chief of her forces and on
April 20, 1861, (Fort Sumter having been bonn
barded and surrendered on the 18th, y he sent his
resignation OF his position in the L. 5. ARMY to
Gen. Scott. He arrived in Richmond about the
25th of April, and Immediately entered upon
the duties of his office. His subsequent military
in eg Wesrm Me Vta,Oa Kn0wn wh,nb Aer brief command
he was appointed to fortify the city and harbor
OF Charleston, and having accomplished his
mission returned to Richmond. In 1862, he sue
ceeded Gen. Johnston, who had been wounded
in command of the Confederate army around
fichmond, operating against Gen. Mcclellan
and remained commander-in-chief of the Com
federate army from that period to the end OF
the war. -
SINCE THE WAR.
In August, 1865, he was offered and accented
the presidency OF Washington College, Lexing-
ton, Va, and was installed October "a of THAT
year. Lstterly, in addition to his collegiate du-
ties, he consented to accept the office of presi-
dent OF the projected Virginia Valley railroad
HIS PRIVATE CHARACTER.
The private character of Gen. Lee was with
out reproach, and he always commanded the
respect and admiration of the southern people
After being relieved of the command of West
Point, he was granted leave of absence, and re-
sided at Arlington with his family, during which
time he frequently visited Washington. He was
very fond OF ladies' company, and ALWAYS
showed the greatest respect to the sex His con-
versational powers were good, though every
word he uttered seemed to be guarded.
HIS GOODNESS IN BATTLE.
AS an instance of his GOODNESS under trying
circumstances it is related that during one of
the hottest fights in Mexico he was with General
Scott making observations, when a ball from
the enemy struck post or tree very near him,
knocking the bark and splinters in his face.
General Scott excitedly exclaimed, "Lee, are
you hurt 2" to which the latter replied "no,''
and carelessly brushing the bark and dirt from
his person proceeded with his observations as if
nothing unusual had occurred. He had but few
bost m friends" and there is not off Ger in the
city ow with whom it can be said that he was
was not easily approached, though he was al
ways reg aIded as the perfect type Of dighined
ofhcer. When he resigned his commission in
the U. s. army Gen. Scott was deeply affected
and remarked to a fellow-officer that Lee was
a valuable man, and his services were worth
millions day to any government"
MRS. LIE.
Mrs. Lee has long been in poor health, and
when they resided at Arlington she was sslIom
able to go into society.
HIS ADMINISTRATIONS AT WEST POINT
is said to have been rigid, but kind towards the
cadets though with an entire absence OF ans
/ Tartia'iiy. His own son Fitzhugh was there at
the time and was always treated the same a.
other cadets, no special favOrs being shown
him. Some Virginia youths who received ap.
ointments there thought they would be the
favored ones as the commander of the post was
fro m their State, but in this they were sadly
mistake n as he was very strict and always a
rigid discIp,inarian. He never allowed any in
frlngement upon the rules no matter what the
or occasion might be.
HIS RELIGIOUS BELIEF, &c.
In religious belief he was an Episcopalirn, and
while residing at Arlington attended Christ
Church in Alexandria.
IL is said that he refused to open letters ad-
dressed to him during the secession excitement
until he had made up his mind TO resign his com
mission; his reason being that he would not be
ed by any appeals or offers from those
he loved.
His devotion to General Scott was great. He
was also intimate with Major John Lee, then
Judge Advocate Of the Army, and With !.s,iutant
General Cooper.
his CHILDREN.
His sons, Gusts, Fitzhugh, and Robert, and
his daughters, Mary, Agnes, and Mildred, are
living in Virginia.
THB FREDERICK RACEs.-The following
races came OF at the Fair in Frederick, Md YES
terday: As rackers to saddle, j. ID. Huffer