The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-07-22
FrTz LEE IN THE FIELD.
some "Reminiscences or His Gaycty
and Popularity While I'm tho
Confederate Service.

| and Popularity While fn tho
Confederate Service.
Major John Esten Cooke, In an article I'm
the last No. OF the Philadelphia Weekly
| Times on the "Humors OF the Camp" has
tnis to say about General Fitzhugh Lee:
/ have passed over with only cursory
mention one OF the gayest and galantest
OK the southern soldiers-General FitZhugh
Lee. We always called him "General
Fitz." as mark OF regard, for such names
are a compliment. The men OF Jackson's
corps dubbed him Old Stonewall." Gen.
eral X. Z. Lee was known as MAS Ro-
bert" and Stuart rs "Jeb" Stuart, fol-
lowing which came "FitZ =" Lee. There
was everything, indeed. in the gallant
FitZ Lee to inspire familiar liking. lie
was full OF humor, as brave as steel, with
out any ''official dignity" whatever in his
manners, but at all times the hearty SOL
dier, loving his Jest dearly and never in
low spirits, whatever the outlook might
be. He and Stuart were boon friends,
having known each other intimately in the
United States army, and when they met a
wit combat followed, diamond cut dia-
mond. i am sorry not to be able to report
any OF these brilliant encounters, not hay-
ing surmised at the time that they would
ever interest anybody. What remains in
memory is only vivid general impression
Of superabundant animal spirits and mex
haustlbe gayety. General Fitz" was,
in fact, what the French call type in per-
son and temperament. He was man OF
medium statue, rather stout, but active
and graceful, with a ruddy complexion, an
enormous beard and moustache, and an
uafailing twinkle of humor in his brilliant
eyes--the picture, in word, OF the true
cavalryman. lie liked his profession, for
he once told me so, and il he is a future
Governor Of Virginia he will probably con-
tinue to regret it,
"NELLY GRAY"
"All the surroundings OF war seemed to
please him, and he was a thorough lover OF
horses, his mare NELLY Gray" being a
prime iavorItc with him. As TO Nelly
Gray, she made a true Cavaliers speech
one day at Stuart's quarters. She had lost
shoe and lmped, when General Fitz,
gazing sadly at her, said:
81 wish there was some way for you to
ride me home, Nelly,' which ought to en-
dear General Fitz to all true lovers OF the
equine species.
The Generals fondness for music was
great, and he was especially devoted to
Ethiopian minstrclsy and musical opera
boutfe. At Fredericksburg and elsewhere,
in the winter OF 1862, the soldiers were de-
lighted with the performances OF the
'FitZhugh Lee Minstrels," an Ethiopian
dramatic company, whose bill, with the
castes, is now before me, printed on the
dmgicst OF Confederate paper. The gaYety
of the "minstrels" simply reflected the
gayety OF the gallant Fitz Lee. suppose
he will come back to the memory OF all his
old soldiers, us he comes back to mine,
singing his iovial camp songs and finding
mirth in everything.
TIE AUTUMN OF 1868.
lie was specially prominent and full Of
this spirit OF gayety in the autumn cam
paign beyond the Rappahannock in 1863.
General Lee made Il circuit toward the
mountains and swooped down on General
Meade in Culpeper, but that excellent
soldier. OF whom Lee said that che gave
him more trouble than all OF them,"
vanished from Culpeper without leaving
SO much as cracker-boX. There never
was more mastery falling back to
choose position TO fight; for General
Meade intended to fight. and said that it
s| was like losing his eye-teeth not to have
battle with Lee" What remained was
the work OF the cavalry, and FitZ Lee
drove northward from the Rapidan. and
struck the Federal cavalry at Brandy. He
was down on" the enemy; Stuart was in
his rear, and in rear OF Stuart was Fede-
raj column charging him. A cavalryman
succlnctly described the situation by say
ing: 'Old Jeb has cut of more than he
can chaw."
The fighting then streamed northward
and Gent raj FitZ planned the ruse by
which General Fitzpatrick was routed at
Buckland called the famous Buckiand
Races" But this amusing campaign is too
large a subject. Ii recalls an incident OF
General Fitz Lees persistent gayety. We
were advancing about nightfall at the head
OF his column toward Deep Run, where
General Warren was executing the ncatest
of ruses and disabling General Cooke.
Before lis on 4 hill was battery in hot ac-
ton, and | asked the General whose 1t was.
He was singing at the moment fayorite
song, with the chorus:
Rest in peace, slunbering lady-ove Of mine,
and stopped to say: 81 think they are
Yankees"
"What will you dO?" said.
~ mean to charge them. Ii 20 under
| can't carry out my great ambition"
"What is your great ambitiOn!"
"To have company OF negro minstrels
this winter-all mulattOeS."
And as we rode on, my friend, General
Fitz, " developed his idea" waiting tran
gully the return Of the man sent forward
to ascertain about the battery. As 1t was
one Of our own we did not charge it, and
/ have nothing more to recall this evening
but the gay voice OF General FitZ de-
scrbing his great ambition. Perhaps he
has forgotten the incident. 1t is Il triilc,
but brings back the gallant figure OF one OF
the most gallant OF southern soldiers.
FITz LEES OLD COMPANY.
Nlutua! recognition by old friends during
the war occurred on very numerous occa-
sions, and | remember an amusing instance
OF it in 1862. We were making the we'll
known reconnaissance in June OF that
wear to the rear OF General McClellan's
forces on the Chickahominy, and near Old
Church, in Hanover, captured company
OF Federal cavalry on picket. The de-
tachment on the Confederate side en-
gagged in the charge was commanded
by General FitZ Lee. the gay and gal
liant. whose joyial face, with its sweeping
moustache and heavy beard, was always
the picture OF enjoyment. As General
Fitzn looked at the blue-coated prisoners
brought in he suddenly cried: How are
YOU, Brown? Are you down here? How's
Robinson and the rest OF my old people 2"
The individual addressed as Brown looked
intently at General Ftz, and suddenly his
90 lif