The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1885-08-13
SKETCH OF GEN. FlIZHHCl.H
LEE.

General Fitzhugh Lee, the nominee of
the Democratic Convention for Governor
Of Virginia was born at Cermont, Fair
fax county, on November 10, 1885 and il
therefore in the tittieth year of his age
His father was Captain Sydney Smith
Lee, who left the United States navy at
the breaking out of the war and joined
the Confederate navy. General Lee is n
grandson of General Henry Lee, or
Light-IIorsc Harry" and a nephew of
Gen. Robt. f. lee The mother of Gen.
Lee was a grand-daughter Of George
Mason and a sister Of James VI. Mason,
who for many years represented the
State of Virginia i'll the United States
Senate, and who represented the Conied-
eracy in England during tie war. AT
the age of Ii Gen. Lee secured an ap-
pointment to West Point He graduated
from there in 1856. He stood at the
head of his class in horsemanship, and
was assigned to the Fifth cavalry as
second lieutenant This was at that PEE
riod one of the most famous regiments in
the army. 1t was at times commanded
by such distinguished officers as Albert
Sidney Johnston and Robert +. Lee, Earl
Van Dorm, Geo. ii. Thomas, VIM. J.
Hardee, John B. Hood and others who
won fame In the Southern and Federal
armies during the late war were officers
IN this regiment. Lee saw service on
the Western frontiers, and was seriously
wounded in conflict with the Comanche
Indians. In 1860 Gen. Lee was detached
from his regiment and ordered to report
to =
airy.
The breaking out of the war found the
subject of this sketch a second lieutenant
on duty at West Point. When Virginia
seeded he promptly resigned his COM
mission and joined the Confederate ARMY.
His first service under the South was i'm
General Bcauregard's army at the battle
of Manassas. Gen Lee became one of
the most brilliant cavalry commanders in
the Confederate army. From lieuten-
ant he rose to be Malor-General. At the
battle of Winchester General Lee was
wounded in the thigh by mimic ball
Three horses were shot under him during
the conflict. His wound confined him to
his room for several months but rs soun
as he could do so he was again at has
post. Early in the spring of 1865 Gen
eral Lee was placed in command of all
the cavalry Of the army Of Northern
Virginia. The Democratic candidate
for Governor was one of the three CORDS
commanders who, with General Robert
+. Lee, composed the council of war
which determined upon the surrender at
Appomattox Court House. Gen. Fitz-
hugh Lees career was one of the most
brilliant of any commander in the Con-
federate army. 1t has been said that he
never sustained a defeat when he was in
Independent command of an expedition.
He was faultlessly brave, and inspired
his men by his dashing, gallant bearing.
He was popular with officers and men,
After the surrender Gen. Lee returned to
his home, and for several years engaged
in agricultural pursuits. He owned a
fine farm in Stafford county. During the
Yorktown centennial Gen Lee was in
command of all the volunteer military
that took part i'll the exercises on that
occasion. He was recently appointed by
President Cleveland one of the members
of the board of visitors to West Point.