Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-08-01

FF01n the baltimore Sun.
Gen. Fitzhugh Lee, tine nominee Of the
Democratic convention for Governor of Viz
ginia, was born at Clermont, Fairfax county,
on Nov. 10, 1895, and is therefore in the j0th
year OF his age. His father was Capt. sydney
smith Lee. who left the United States navy ut
The breaking out of the war and joined the
Confederate navy. Gen. Lee WAS a grandson
OF Gen. Henry Lee, or Light Horse Harry"
and nephew of Gen. Robert +. Lee The
mother OF Gen. Lee was a granddaughter OF
George Mason and q sister of James n Ma
son, who for many years represented Vir-
GINA in the United States Senate, and who
represented the COnfederacy in England
during the war. At the age Of l6 Gen. Lee
secured au appointment to West Point.
lie graduated from there in 1855. He stood
ut the head of his class in merchandising and
was assigned to the Fifth cavalry as Second
Lieutenant. This WAS at that period one Of
the most famous regiments in the army. 1t
was at times comm anded by such distinguish
ed officers as Albert Sidney Johnston and
Robert E- Lee. Earl Van Dorm. George II.
Thomas, William J. Hardee. John Il Hood
and others who won fame III the Southern
and Federal armies during the late war were
officers in this regiment. Lee saw service on
toe Western frontiers, and was seriously
wounded in conflict with the ComaDcbe In
dams. In 1880 Gen. Lee WAS detached from
his regiment and ordered to report to West
Point as an instructor OF cavalry.
The breaking out Of the war found the sub
lect of this sketch a Second Lieutenant on
duty at West Point. When Virginia seeded
he promptly resigned his commission and
joined the Confederate army. His frat ser
vice under the South was in Gen. Beaure
CARDS army at the battle Of Manassas Cen.
Lee became one Of the most brilliant cavalry
commanders in the Confederate army From
a 4 euJenant he rose to be a Major General
At the cattle Of Winchester Gen Lee was
wounded IN the thigh b. minnie ball Three
horses were shot under him during that con
hict. HIS wound confined him to his room for
several months, but as soon ~ he could do so
he was again ~ his post. Early IN the spring
OF 1865 Nen. Lee was placed in command of all
OF the cavalry Of the Army OF Northern Viz
ginia. The Democratic candidate for Cover
nor WIS one Of the three corps commanders
who, with Gen. Robert n. Lee. composed the
council of war which determined upon the
surrender at AppomattOX Court House. Cen
tilzhugh Lees career was one Of the most
brilliant of any commander in the Confeder-
ate army. II has been said that he never
sustained a defeat when he WAS in indapend-
ent command Of an expedition. He was
faultlessly brave. and inspired his men bv
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 pur-
suits He owned fine farm in stafford
county. During the Yorktown centennial
Gen. Lee was in command of all the volun-
teer military that took part in the exercises
on that occasion. He was recently appointed
by President Cleveland one Of the mem bers
OF the board Of visitors to West Point.