The Greenville enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1870-1873, 1870-11-02
}DspoteS 40 Hfsps,:
I John lC. 4 EDWARD BAILEY PRURS..s S.'', sss !.

=
sequently toaght during the cam
paiGn, General Scott takes occasion
to mention the skill, enterprise
and wonderful Judgment of his
young aid. Lee received two pro.
motions for his services in tho
campaign. In 1s47 he was bre.
vetted Major in recognition OF, his
brilliant cooperation at Cerro Cor.
do; and later, at Chspn!tepec and
Contrcras, he was raised to the rGnk
Of lieutenant colonel. + s
=. RETURN TO WEST POINT. sf
He was furthermore honored
with the post Of superintendent ut
West Point, retaining his field.
rank. In this position he remain.
ed three years, working energetic
reform aud augmenting tile cffici.
cncy Of the institute by wise inca.
cures and profitable suggestions to
Congress. Through his recon-
mendation, the course Of study,
which bad hitherto covered but
four years. was increased to five,
rendering it rs complete and rigor
ous as those in Europe. In the
midst Of this brilliant administra
tive career, Congress authorized
the raising Of two cavalry regi.
ments, and of tl,e second Colonel
Lee WAS appointed lieutenant. col.
mel. The regiment was command.
ed by Alb'rt Sidney Johnson
The regiment, when organized,
in 1855, was sent to Texas, and
remained on duty on the south.
western border until 1850, fighting
Indians and performing general
garrison duty. On the Occasion
Of
THE FAMOUS jonN BROWN RAID
at Harper's Ferry, Colonel Lee
was assigned to the commund of
the forces sent to suppress the
outbreak. lie arrived there dur.
ing the night Of October II, 1859,
finding Brown and his motley
crew Of supporters intrcnched in
the engine house, and closely be.
siesed by Captain Simms aud the
Maryland militia. Colonel lee
brought with him ninety marines
and two pieces of artillery. He
took possession of the armory
ground, close to the cnemy's poei.
ton. and pnt his forces in camp.
Ac Z o'clock on the .ollowin,
morning, lie ordered an assault
upon the engineliouse, which was
carried by the impetuosity Of the
marines, two of whom, however,
weie wounded. md one insurgent
snot. Brown wac struck in tho
face with sabre, and afterward
bayoneted f.; but survived to cxpi.
ate his crime upon the gall"ws.
SECESSION RESIGNATION.
In 1861 Colonel Leo rejnined
his regiment at San Antonio.
Texas. and remained there until
the firing on Sumter. On the
ooh of April, 1861, Colonel Lee,
after n service Of twenty five wears,
resigned his position in the United
States Army, sending his letter
of resignation to General Scott, mt
Washington. 1t Was in the follow
ing terms:
ARLINGTON, Va, April 90, 1861.
GenerdL-Sincc my interview
with you on the 18th instant. /
have felt that l ought not longer
to retain my commission in the
army. l therefore tender my re.
sigma ion, which l request you
will recommend for acceptance
1t would have been presented at
once, but for the struggle it has
cost me To separate my self from
service to which I have devoted
all the best years Of my life, aud
all the ability possessed.
During the whole Of that time
more than u quarter OF century
Il have experienced nothing but
kindness from my snperiors, aud
tho most cordial friendship from
my comrades. To no one, Gene.
eral, have been as much indebt.
cd rs to Yourself for uniform kind.
ness and consideration, and it has
always been my ardent desire to
meet yonr appreciation. ] shall
carry to the grave the most crate.
fnl recollec.ions Of yonr kind con
sideration, and your name and
fame vii! always be dear to inc.
Save in defence Of nv native
State, | never desire again to draw
my sword. BE please d to accept
my Eost earnest wishes for tie
continuance Of your hal ,piness aid
prosperity, and believe me most
truly yours, X. e. LEE.
To his sister, the wife Of a United
States officer, he wrote:
| My Dear S;sfsr--I am grieved
at my inability to see you. y y
II L.