Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-07-09
Tho Eighth Congressional District.

a subscriber in Ioudoun county, requests us
to repubish tho following communication from
the Lees5urg Washingtonian of last week:
Col. RICHARD e. LEE.-It has been whisper.
ed first, and then asserted, that Colonel Lee
would not be candidate for Congress in the 9Th
Congressional district in the approaching cleo
tion
As We do not know Why this thing has been
done, we make no charge; but, in common jus
tice to the gentleman, We are authorized to state
now and hero. upon the warm and repeated CO.
Qented to become candidate, and that consent
has not and will not be withdrawn.
On the 28th day of August next We mean to
place him in his fathers house," and there,
whether flushed by success or wounded by de-
feat, he means to stay AS it appears to be the
lum history. as we'll as the war record of each
aspirant we need offer no apology for indulging
now in similar synopsis.
Col Richard II. Leo was born in Alexandria,
and after completing his education there, located
IN Jetlerson county, Va, where lie soon won
Commonwealth Attorney. Atthe commence.
ment of the John Brown raid, he volunteered in
the first company which was raised, and con.
tinued in the defence of Hsrper's Ferry till the
raid was suppressed. When John Brown was
eagtured Colonel Lee Mas IN falE prscdeee Ell; IN
to defend Brown at his trial, saying "he would
defend no man who had invaded his State. At
the first tocsin CT war, Co.. Lee left his home,
like every other brave man, and tying his life
and fortune 10 the cause he loved, volunteered
as private in the Bolts Grays and followed
Stonewall Jackson all through the Valley on
foot till no was dangerously wounded at the
battle of Kernstown. We feel impelled to
state here an incident" which occurred in the
battle just referred to, as gven by an eye wit.
ness. Leo had then risen to be lieutenant IN
his company. and as the Yankees pressed hard
upon jackson, he ordered q charge 1.-THE bull.
lets rsined like hail''-the color bearers fell
| thick and fast it seemed certain death to every
| man who dared touch that fatal fsg; yet IS the
last Asgman was shot and fell to the ground, be-
fore the colors trailed the dust, Lieutenant Lee
| eprsng from the ranks and Selling them, led
| his men on in the face Of death. till from the
| music of the bullets and the Flashing of the
guns'' they toted him away in his BLOODY
| blanket.
On his recovery, he returned to his company,
| but his health beng too much shattered to re-
main in active service Mr.. Davis appointed him
military Judge with tie rank of Colonel in
Jacksons corps Immediately upon joining the
court, he was elected president by its members.
and while in the discharged of his duty
was captured and carried to Johnson's Island
where he suffered great hardship till exchanged.
Reioining the army, he remained with ackson
| till his death and followed the fortunes of the
| Lost Cause to the final tragedy at Appomsttox.
The war over. Colonel Lee essayed to return
to bis old home and practice at Charlestown, but
was refused admission to the bar by tho Union
| element dominant there.
He was then compelled to settle on his farm
in Clarke, and now spends his time in agricul-
ture there and the practice of law in Loudoun.
If we mistake not Col. Lee was delegate of the
Constitutional Convention held in Richmond
since the war. He is also the autbrr * .no
| om1ondid ,rihute tn his old fr;o4I Col. Lawson
Rotts one Of the notl.eo spirits Of the war. We
nIose ~ TASTY and imperfect sketch without
Comment; because no words from us can lend a
single wreath of praise to the gallant soldier, the
able lawyer and the christian gentleman.
JUSTICE.