The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-01-03

II. Stephens relates that serious diff
Guilty in the way OF the success of bis
mission to Induce V.Eainis TO- sjWnp pthe
southern Cor afydHacy 'as ahs rsnE of
sfis DR IL; neaniuo ssss vote |0t ahe vs,g1ai.
hepber-in- ChSsf 81 thsWirgiuis Rorces.
and his friends were unwilling that lie
should have a less rank in the Confede-
rate army, while several officers already
commissioned would out.rank him there.
Mr.. Stephens sought an interview with
Gen. Lee, and explained 10 hin the diff
Guilty In the sumo spirit in which be
had rtfustd this supreme commnnd OF
the Upited Ststss atmN which we have
the highest authority for saying was ten.
dered him by Mr. Lincoin, Gen. Lee
promptly said that he would not permit
his personal interests to intorfere for q
moment with the demands Of the cause-
that he was perfectly willing to take q
subordinate position, and even to serve
as private soldier. il he could thus
best promote the welfare OF his native
State. By his personal influence aud
active efforts. all difficulty was removed,
the desired union popsummatet; and the
! Virginia troops turned over to the Uun.
federacy.
Soon after his West Virginia cam.
paign. while the newspapers and the
people were severely censnring him for
not lighting Roseoranz, he said TO al in-
innate friend, II could have fought, and
am satisfied that could also have
gained a victory. But the nature OF the
country was such that it would have
proven barren victory. and had
rather iujure my military reputation,
and quietly rest under this unjust cen.
sure, than tu sacrifice unnecessarily the
life OF single one of my men,"
Ex-President Davis, In lIis address at
the great soldiers memorial meeting,
held in Richmond, in November, 1876.
stated TINT on his return from that cam
pnign, Leo gave him an account Of it
that showed beyond all cavil that the
failure was due TO others, and not to
himself. Aud yet he urged tho Presi-
dent not to make his statement public.
MS he would rather rest under unjust
censnre himself than to iniure in the
public esteem nny who were bruvey
striking Tor the common cause"
HIS EoRdETFULNEss OF SKLF. Gen.
Lee rarely slept in a honse-never out:
side of his liues-dnring the war, and
when on the march somo convenient
fence corner would be the most FREQUENT
place Of biyipuac. Yonr correspond
ent has not unfrequentiy seen some
qnartermas or com mmissary entertained
In princely style at q hospitable mansion,
while hard by the Commander in Chiof
would bivouac in the open air-pe:-
chance in q pelting storm.
He never permitted his mess to draw
from tho commissary more than their
fair proportion of the rations on hand.
and he would, in consequence, often sit
down to meal meagre in quality and
scant in quantity. -,
A great deal has been written of the
famous dinner Of sweet potatoes to
which Marion, the American partisan,
} invited tho British officer. Gen. Lee
considered himself fortunate when he
had good supply of sweet potatoes or
n jug Of buttormilk.
Gen. Ewell wrote your correspondent
that, "being at Gen. Lees Headquarters
few days before the evacuation OF
Petersburg, and being unable to remain
to dinner, the General insisted upon bis
taking his lunch, which he found to be
two cold sweet potatoes. of which be
said he was very Iond.'
J Upon one occasion Gen. Lee proposed
| w oASos Souo ulo OuC6Iot .CmQrk-
ing. II hare just received de,nijobn
whiah l know is.of 0e bss:." The demi-
John, tightly oorked, was produced,
drinking vessels were brought out, and
all gathered aroand in eager expectancy,
when the General filled the glasses and
cups to the brim-n not;with old .Ooenao''
or Bourbon but With fresh buttssn,iE
which kind. lady, knowing his taste,
had sent him. He seemed to epioy
greatly the evident 'dissppo ointment <o]
some of the company Wien they:hsosr:
tnincd the true character Of their "treat.s'
Luxuries which friends sent for his
mess tables went regularly to the sick
and wounded In the hospitals, and he
was accustomed to say: II am content
to share tho rations Of my men,"
In the winters Of 1863 and 1864, az,
indeed, at many other times, the army
was on such soant allowance as 10 excite
the deepest anxiety of the commander.
He dill all in his power to remedy the
evil, and issued to the troops stirring
address, which closed as follows: "Sol-
diers, you tread with no unequal steps
the road by which your fathers marched,
~ n