The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-06-08

Whilst he lived, General Lee neve
his private correspondence with ourselves
giving record Of his own career to th,
world. Bot the time never came when /,
ms Judgment this could be honestly an.
Iuliy done without stirring mp the bite
ieenngs ne would have sacrificed all h,
c3nid give to allay. Now that he has pass
ca away. others cannot be 90 reticens. And
MT. Cooke has lately produced O life of Oh,
dead hero, which, If wanting ia many par
ticulars, IL more go, perhaps, from the great.
ness OF the subject than from the imperfec.
lions and Partially of the writer. A large
part or MS volume is, of course, directed
20 those campaigns which have placed the
name of Lee in the very foremost rank of
the world's great commanders. These how
ever, have long been we'll known aud attn.
GIed In England in their general outlines.
lhey were known and admired here before
the american public could bear acritical
recital OF the defeats of the Union Renerals.
Be 1t our present task rather to speak of
those portions of Lees eventful life which
are less known on this side of the Atlantic:
waat aacrihces he made when he csst in bis
lot with the South: how, brought into COM
mand ~ an accident his frat stroke raised
MIN to the eminence he never lost how he
fell, carrying in his fall the tottering Con-
federacy which had ceased to hope In any
other name (: how he bore himself in hia
retirement when vanquished by fate, yet
crowned with undying fame, he rivalIed
N patience the patriarch of Uz, and waited
7 in SAD wetch over surrounding ruin through
hfs appointed time for the change which Ge
ionged for but would not anticipate. Some
euiogist, worthy Of the grandeur Of the
theme, will, We hope, arise hereafter. But
It is time that at least an attempt should
be made to do justice to the virtue and
patriotism OF tho man, known hitherto to
chiefly as one Of the great
est OF modern generals.
When the American colonies. findino ra.
monstrance vain, rose in arms against the
overbeariNg policy of the mother country.
The descendants of the cavalier families
which had traDsplanted to Virginia the
oval traditions and sentiments of the Kings |
party in the Civil War, were to q man
ouad foremost among the defenders OIL
ocal Independence. How this apparent
came about it is not here
pretended to explain. But it is certain that
he 80 called Royalists of 1776 were for the
most part very recent emigrants. Those Of
heir fellow citizens whose intereeta we're
airly bound up by long association and
lescent with the fortunes of the rising col
mics, espoused. almost without e2cen-
Ion the cause of the latter, no matter
low earnest their loyalty had been In
heory before. ODe member of this aris-
ocracy OF virginia, then youth Of twenty,
0Oo1CuOAhk+l
t Richard Lee, Of Stratford Leighton
n Essex, who had been an ardent Cavalier
d the Revolution, and one of many aup.l
orters Of the falling cause ofthe Monarchy,
7hom fear Of political persecution after the
verthrow OF the Royaiists, or disgust at
ad driven to hasty emigration. Settlipe
q Virginia with considerable means. Rob.
TT Lee had built what was an exact repro-
uction Of the old manor house of a conn
~ gentleman In the east of England, ac- 1
nired gradually large estate, and main I
ch esquire of the old country. For !
nose were days when the abolition of pri- :
logeniture had had not been intrOdu ced
ito America and settlers OF Richard Lees r
INK and fortune seem to have looked con- c
IDENTIFY forward to continuance in o new I
by their class in Great Britain. /
great English writer, who has made the /
Ifrginians' Of the last century the subject
one OF bis most skilf0l and touching fic-
ons' had In view precisely such family, e
race and tradition, as that from which
eIeEsl Lee was descended and If Col d
nel Esmond had left descendants to onr /
WI times they would have played the | a
lme part az the Industrious Representative 4
this other Vfrginian race. In THE | h
anor-h0use OF the Lees, once burnt, but Q
ION: rebuilt ON the spacious lines, the h
mlIy were still living more than century Il
ter, when young Henry Lee, just gradu- v
ed ct Princeton College, came forward to c
Ter hisservices in the Revolutionary army. 4
nd received q commission from the Con. q
ress as Captain of horse. From the very a
Fst he displayed military talent of a high | /,
der and became before long the most I
'ted leader Of his arm for dashing enter
rise in separate command. A special c
I'D medal was awarded him by Congress- +
7 his capture of the fort at Paulus's Hook, a
Id IN 175I he was sent to command the | 4
'valry Of the Republican forces in the d
arOlinas under General Greene, there q
atched against CORVALLIS. q