Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-08-18
col. R..R LEE.

Col. Richard Bland Lee, formerly well known
to many of our citizens as Maj. K. B. Lee OF
the United States Army, died at his resi-
denoe, in Alexandria, Virginia, ou the morn
ing of the I'd instant, in the 10th year of
his age.
1t will surprise many of his friends here to
be told that be had reached an sge so advanced
When be was last in this CITY, in 1868, mis- up
right port, alert step and bright eye seemed to
Indicate many fewer years than three score
and ten.
The deceased was a native of Virginia, q
cousin Of Gen. Robert K. Lee, and like him a
graduate of West Point, aud an officer of the
old army of the United States. During the
Seminole war he served 10 Florida, and was
severely wounded in an engagement, for gal.
lsntry ln which, he was brtveted. The bullet
OF an lndlan hired from an eminence while he
was bending forward 10 the act of loading his
rifle -:tor he used to use this weapon-passed
through his lungs and lodged against the spioaI
vertebra. he was supposed for long lime to
be mortay hurt, but 81, wy aod partially re-
covered. The wouod never healed completely;
It was received in 1886, and to the end of bis
lite ne experienced serious, sometimes very
distressing consequences from this Injury,
although such were his activity aud fortitude,
that many who knew him we'll were unaware that
be was suffering from wound which had never
closed. At times he was almost free from annoy
ance, and this was especially the case when he
lived 10 the open air. In 1887 he made an ex-
cursion, partly professional and partly with a
view to the recovery of his health, to the Rocky
mountains aod New Mexico, by which he was
much benefited. Returning, be was appointed
commissary of subsistence, and in this capacity
renamed 10 st. Louis from 1889 to 1852. His
activity, his cheerful disposition, his chiva-
rous temper, his social accomplishments aod
bis scrupulous sense of honor endeared him to
all 10 whose society he was thrown. His home
wac the abode OF hospitality, presided over as
1t was by his accomplished and esimable wife
who survives the partner of so many years of
JOY and sorrow /; aud when he was ordered to
another post, bis loss was mourned as ser-
ous dimlnution OF the social wealth of St.
Louis. The next niue years were spent by
him partly in San Francisco, CAL, partly 10
Washington city. He was 10 the latter civ
when the civil war began. He felt that his
duty required him to partake of the fortunes
OF his native State. At this time be had 10
bis hands large sum OF money belonging to
the United States. With characteristic fideli-
ty to pecuniary obligation he first settled his
accounts with the war department, turned
over every cent of money ard every cents
worth of property, and then retired from
service to which be had devoted the best
years of his life. Going to Virginia be was
engaged 10 msuy Of the severest battles of
the war which followed especially at Bull Run
aud PittSburg Landing. At the close of the
war he gathered the wrecks of his broken for
tunes and spent the remainder of bis days at
alexandria, where he died, surrounded by his
devoted family. He leaves surviving him his
widow i've daughters and three sons and ru-
numerous friends will longer remember with
respect and affection his sterling character and
generous, sniabIe disposition
Hail and farewell l'-&. Louis Repub
licdn.