Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1885-10-29
General Fitshugh Lee d d Soldier.

Capt. John s Wise in his speeches is
holding up to ridicuIe the standing of Gen.
Fitz. Lee at West Point aud attacking his
record as a soldier, and in refutation of his
charges, We reproduce the following extract
from the speech Of Gen. W. H. Payne, of
Warreasn. IAide some years ago, every
word of which is true:
''As soldier he can stand unbonneted to
Is prord claim rs the most enthusiastic
friendship dares assert Tor Others. From
boyhood--
The steel and fiinty couch of war
Has been his thrice-driycn bed of down"
And when the storm rose over this DESC
late State, although in possession of honor
able rank in the United States Army, in the
enjoyment of the ease of professors chair
at West Point; although beset by tempta-
ton from people eager TO gild a wicked
cause with high name; although we had
naught to offer in exchange for these things
but plague, pestlunce aud famine, battle
murder aad sudden death--without pausing
in Iii choice, he east asIyc rank and wealth
and ease, and fast ahd I'll he rode to share
wars fercest peris aud drink aiilicton's
bitierest cup with Us
From the rising OF the sun at Manassas
even unto the going down Of tue same at
Appomattox, his place in every picture was
near the flashing OF the guns.
" For four years bis lie was battle and
. march, and nevercnding. restless. he drove
across this war convulsed land.
He was like the knights Of Branksome
Hall
WHO always wore their armor bright
During The day and through the night
Who carved at their meals
In gloves of steel,
And drank red wine through the helmet
barred
when the shattered remnant OF the Ar
my of Northern Virginia-'tbe goodliest
fellowship of famous men whereof this world
holds record since the Round Table WAS
broken, and it, knights were dispersed-was
dragging It's slow length to Appom ttox,
the post OF honor, the post ever assigned 10
the bravest Of the brave, was allotted by our
great hero to Fitz. Lee, and here, upon this
floor, are living witnesses TO the fidelity and
skill with which he discharged his perilous
task. There are men here who can tell how
he comforted the weak hearted; how he
lifted up such as did fall, and strengthened
such as did stand in his gallant effort "
beat down Satan beneath our feet.
"And when the curtain fell at Appomat
tox upon the last act Of our splendid TRACE
dy when the flags were al furled and the
war drums ceased to throb along the bro
ken line, under the leadership of the gallant
Gordon, he illuminated the dark hour by
one reckless act of splendid chiyalry, which
soothed its anguish and cilaced is shame
The Gag of truce had entered The Cohlsdcr-
ate line, and passing down the ranks Was
quenching the firing rs it came. The men
in wrath were breaking their muskets, or in
tears were parting the battle figs amongst
themselves. Turning their backs upon the
approaching messenger, a. Nelson turned
his dead eye upon the retreat signals at Co
penhagen, they rushed down upon still
spiteful battery of The enemy and swept it
from the field The messenger of peace
found them standing over their conquered
spoil. The weapons they surrendered that
day were those they had just wrnched
from the enemy
1T was not war, but it was splendid,
As a dream of old romance"
" 1t is not always in mortals to command
success, but it is ever in the power of brave
men to sell victory so dearly that the con-
queror dares not boast Of his success. re-
joice that there were men who at such an
hour were filled with such thoughts. /
honor the mau who could coin such
thoughts into deed of daring"
The Braxton Democrat says that from