Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-07-30
SKETCH OF THE NOMINEE.
The Life aud Fable Services OF General
EuZhugh Lee.

The Life aud Public services OF General
Fnzhugh Lee.
Fitzhugh Lee, or "Fitz Lee" as he
is generally known, was born at" Cler-
mont, " the residence OF his grandfather,
General John Mason, in Fairfax coun-
ty, on the 10Th of November, 1885.
His father was Captain Sydney Smith
Lee, who resigned his commission in
the United States navy and accepted
one IN the Confederate service at the
time of the secession Of this State.
lie was the third son Of General Henry
Lee. or - Light-lIorsc Harry Of the
Revolution, and brother of General
Robert l.. Lee. Fitz's mother was a
granddaughter of Nirginia's celebrated
statesman George Mason, a daughter of
General John Mason, and a sister to
James NJ. Mason.
At the age of sixteen Fitz was ap-
pointed a cadet lat large" at West
Point. His term Of service at West
Point expired in 1856, and his having
graduated at the head of his class in
Craftsmanship secured for him a com
mission as second lieutenant in the
then Second United States cavalry
a regiment eagerly sought for 10y
large majority of the class.
Fitzhugh Lees first service was at
Carlisle barracks, Pennsylvania. After
a years service at these barracks
| I 20 -
giment, serving on the frontier Of Texas.
and soon came into notice in the vari-
Gus conflicts with the Indians, and May
Is, 1859, was shot through the lungs
with an arrow, and his life was almost
despaired Of.
In the latter part Of November, 1850,
Lee was detached from his regiment
and ordered to report to West Point as an
instructor Of cayalry-a complimentary
detail, and one eagerly sought for by
the officers of mounted regiments. Tn
der his tuition at that time were Kill
patrick. Custer, and others. The COM
menccment Of the war found him at his
post at the Military Academy, and upon
/ INC StCtNSlOll VI IL Sliid MS Npiiiiilo-
sion as first lieutenant in the United
States army was promptly resigned,
and his services offered to his native
! State.
His first service in the Confedcracy
was in the Alphabetically depart
ment in General Beauregard's army at
| Manassas. and at the battle of July 81,
! 1861, he acted in that capacity on the
staff Of General Ewell. In September
following he was, upon the recon-
mendaton Of General j. F. Johnston,
then in command of the army, and
General j. +. Il. Stuart, commanding
its cavalry, made the lieutenant colonel
of the First Virginia cavalry Stuart 5
old regimeuO, and at the reorganiza-
ton of that command. in April, 1862,
near Yorktown, he was elected colonel,
receiving all the votes Of the regiment
except four.
On the retreat from Yorktown to
Lees regiment was given the duty OF
watching the York river, and he first
gave information of the hanking move
ment up that river of Franklin and his
landing at BarhamSyille-perSonally
reconnoitering so close that ne gave not
only the number but the names of the
enemy's transports and gunbOatS. For
the succeeding operations around Rich
mond lee was with the command of
General Stuart, and participated in all
the enterprises Of that officer.
About the middle of June, 1862,
Stuart performedhis famous raid around
the army Of Mcclellan, as it lay in
front Of Richmond. Lee, with his regi-
ment, was selected to accompany him,
and shared, with one other regiment
and n battalion. the dangers of that en-
terpriSe which blazed the way for
Jackson's subsequent flank move
ment.'
After the battles around Richmond,
more cavalry were brought from the
South end formed into a brigade under
General Wade Hampton. Stuart was
made a Encouragement, and Fitzhugh
Lee was promoted TO the rank of briga-
der, taking Stuart's place, the latter
commanding the two brigades. Lees
brigade consisted Of the First, Third,
Fourth, Fifth, and Ninth Virginia regi-
mentS, with battery OF horse artillery
under Captain James Breathed.
In the latter part of 1865 the cavalry
of the Army Of Northern Virginia was
divided into two divisions Of three
brigades each, and Hampton and Fitz-
hugh Lee were promoted to command
them, the two being under Stuart as
senior msior-general. This promotion
General Fi,zhugh Lee had obtained on
a record Of almost unexampled sue
cess. His active disposition and bril-
liant courage had by this time made
for him one of the first reputa-
tons in the army. The repeated
mention Of his name in the careful re-
ports Of General Robert T.. Lee had
made it familiar and dear to the public;
and in May, 1868, shortly after the
battle Of Charlottesville, we find the
commanding general warmly writing
to HIM, as follows Your admirable
conduct, devotion to the cause Of your
country, and devotion to duty fill me
with pleasure. | hope you will soon
see her efforts for independence crown
ed with success and long live to enjoy
the affection and gratitude of your
/ country" No doubt General Robert
y. Lee felt honorable pride in the
achievements Of his gallant nephew.
A. ..l., t;,oa ba xvvota Ynur