The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1874-04-15
Anecdotes Of Gen. Lee. :

C&TORtcte ana OeRtGhet
There were many peculiariiics in
the habits and character Of Lee which
arc but little known, and which may
be studied with profit. He studiously
avoided giving opinions uponssubjects
which it had not been his calling or
training to investigate; and some
times thought he carried this great
virtue too far. Neither the President,
nor Congress, nor friends could get
his views upon any public question
not strictly military, and no man had
as much quiet, 'unobtrusive contempt
for what be called military states
men and political generals" Meeting
him once in the streets of Richmond,
as l was going out and he in the Ex-
ecutive office, 1 said to him: "Gencral,
| wish you would give us your opin-
lion as to the propriety Of changing
the seat Of government and gong
further South"
"fhat is a political question, Mr..
lHill, and you politicians must deter.
lmine it. l shall endeavor to take care
LOT the army, and you must make the
ilows and control the government"
sAh, General, said, "but you will
have to change that rule, and form
and express political opinions, for if
we establish our independence, the
people will make you Mr.. Davis's suc-
cessor.n
"Never, sis he replied, with . firm
dignity that belonged only to..Lcc.
''That I will never permit. Whatever
talents | may possess (and they arc
but limited) are military talents. My
Education and training arc military.
l think the military and civil talents
arc distinct, if not different, and full
duty in eithcrsphere is aboutas much
as one man can qualify himself to
perform. I shall not do the people
the injustice to accept high civil office,
with whose questions it has not been
my business to become familiar"
"Well, but General" | insisted,
"history does not sustain your view.
Caesar and Frederick of Prussia, and
BonSpartc, were all great statesmen,
as we'll as great generals"
"And all great tyrants," he prompt
ly rejo;ned. ~ speak Of the proper
rule in republics, where l think we
should have neither military states.
men nor political generals" :"
"But Washington was both, and
yet not q tyrant," I repeated.
And with beautiful smile he said,
"Washington was an exception to all
rules, and there was mono like him."
l could find no words to answer
further, but instantly I said in
thought: Surely Washington is no
longer tho only exception, tor.one like
him, if not greater, is herc.
Lee sometimes indulged in satire to
which his greatness gave point and
power. He was especially severe on
criticisms Of military
Observation-Disclosures about which the
writer's knew nothing.
ave made great mistake, Mr..
Hill, in the beginning of our struggle,
and | fear, in spite Of all we can do,
it will provo to be a fatal mistake,
he said to me after Gen. Bragg ceased
10 command the army Of Tennessee
m event Lee deplored.
"What mistake is that General p
"Why, sir, in the beginning we ap-
pointed all our worst Generals TO
command the armies, and all our best
Generals to edit the newspapers. As
you know, havo planned some cam
paigns, and quite number Of battles.
have given tho work all the care and
thought | could, and sometimes when
my plans were completed, as far as |
could see, they seemed to be perfect,
but when | have fought,them through,
have discovered defects, and occa-
sionally wondered l did not see the
defects in advance. When it was all
over, 1 found by reading the ncwspa.
pcrs, that these best editor Generals
say all the defects from the start.
Unfortunately, they did not commu-
nic%sc their knowledge to me until i'll
was too late" Then after u pause,
be added with q beautiful, grave cx-
l can never forget: 81 have
no am nbition but to serve the .Confed-
,racy, and do all | can to win our in
l am willing to serve
n any capacity to which the .authori- |
les may assign NE. I have done the
ocst I could in the field and have not
get succeeded as I could wish. l am
wiling to yield my place to these best
GENERALS and l will do my best for
he cause editing q newspaper"