Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1875-12-18
Col. R. II. Lee.

In abiding to the selection Of Col. R. II.
Lee Of Clarke County, formerly a resident Of
this place, IS Realer Of the Declaration Of H.
dependence at the Centennial 10 Philadelphia
on the 4th Of July next, at which time Hon.
VIM. NJ Eyarts will be the Orator. and H..
". Longrellow the Poet, the Shepherdstown
Register gives an interesting biographical
sketch Of nina portion Of which we trans
fer to our columns;
" Tie was born in 1920 at Alexandria, Vlr-
eiuia is a son Of the late Edmund Jennings
Lee IA distinguished lawyer Of that cltyl and
a grandson Of The Richard Henry Lee Of Nir-
einia. who on the 9Th of July, l7I6, moved
I'm the Continental Congress, the celebrated
resolution That, these United Colonies are.
aud Of right ought to be free and independent
States" &c.
He is a nephew Of Charles Lee, who was
Attorney General Of the United States during
a part of Nashiugtou'S administration and a
nephew also. Of General Henry Lee, ("Llsht
II rise Hurry of the Revolutionl who, in Con =
sreSs. prepared the resolutions on the death OF
! WASHINGTON containing the memorable SEN
teuce SD often quoted" First IN war, first IN
peace and drst in the hearts OF his country
men. and who was selected by Congress 70
deliver the culosy on that occasion, being both
an author aud orator Of marked ability and
I last but by DO means least the father Of the
great aud good Robert L. Lee. whose memory
is So descryejly dear to every true Eirsinlan.
lie received his acaIemicai education "a,
Alexandria. where he alSn studied law aud
was admitted 70 the bar in the District OF
Columbia, by judges Canch, ThurstOn aud
M1rseu. II. commenced the practice Of las
profession 10 this (Jeiirrson) county and, IN
1860 was elected its Commonwealth ; At
torrey.
In politics he was always an Z ii LiuC
/ Whia" aud opposed 90 Gisunion but when
the State OF Virginia seeded, he promptly
pinned the Southern Army as a Lieutenant in
ihe Second Virginia lrslutry commanded by
Col. Allen, which was a Jefferson county Reg
imeut and one Of ,nose composing the glori-
Us old " Stoaewall Brigade" Having been
seriously wounded and captured at the battle
Of Nernstowu. on the 23 Of March, 1862, he
I was tr some months held Is prisoner of war
ou JubnSoa's Island. In the engagement re-
rerrel % he behaved with great gallauty,-
the color bearer near him having been shot
I down be caught up the flag aud carried It for
ward through the tbickest Of the fight, until
he himself ZEN wounded. when it was seized
by Col Allen who successfully bore II through
the charge
Iu 1861 be was elected to the Virginia Con-
vsuti0u in the place Of Col. Alfred NJ. Bar
bour. who had resigned his seat in that body
20 accept a position on the staff OF Gen. Jn-
seph f. johnson. Towards the latter part Of
1862 he received a staff appointment, with the
rank Of Colonel, in the Second Corps of the
Army of Northern Virginia aud he remained
in the service, with that corps until its sur
rem. Ter no AnpomattoX c. Ii"
CJ'. Lee is q modest, cultivated Christian
gentleman, and in every way worthy OF the
distinguished compliment which has been paid
10 him in honor OF the memory OF his Illus
tri1us grandfather and an appropriate tribute
10 the good old Commonwealth OF Virginia.
God bless her ~
Though wounded at Kerustown under cir
cums,auces as stated above by the Register
he was not then made a prisoner. lie was
captured a long time after that between Lib
erty Mills, in Orange, and Jacks Shop, in
Madison County An incident connected
Herewith impresses it upon our mind. Al
that time he did us the favor TO take charge Of
a letter and the music Of a Southern Song I,
deliver within then Federal liues, whilst he
was thus yeuturiug to see bis family. When
captured be managed to destroy the letter, but
/ held on to the sheet Of music ali through hi,
imprisonment, aud after icing exchanged al
Old Point returned to the army aud de.
: Everg3 the Song, IN tact, to us.-El. T. p