Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-07-04
A STORY or GENERAL LIE.
I5is ss;arit TpOn Band OF SaVn%csi"
1850. While on tre way 40 The
ssEO lsfaBhc.

iiio GraDde.
Colonel A. 6. Bracket, now COM
handing at Fort Davis, Texas, has
spent the best part If long ana ardu-
Gus military career in Indian fighting
and the toughest Of frontier work gea-
crafty, writes correspondent OF the
St. Louis Globe Democrat. For years
priCr 10 the war. when San Antonio
was but far outlying post, when
railways we're an unknown quantity
in Texas taxable values, and the
Comanches and MeXicans practically
owned creation, Colonel Bracket was
holding up bis end Of Goyerument guard
duty, and OF necessity became intimate
win most OF the men who for some por-
ton Of their lives lived on the then far
frontier ard afterwards became heroes
of national story ana song. agrouP
OF interested listeners Colonel Bracket
detailed the following hitherto-unprint-
ed ,risode in the life Of General Robert
F. Lee-in l>G0 colonel in command
Of the Department Ct Texas and in lS55
the fallen Confederacy's grandest SOL
der.
Robert +. Lee" says Colonel
Bracket, was on his way frola san
Antonio to the Rio Grande for the
purpose Of doing what he could toward
bringing the Cortinss war TO a close,
and settling the disturbances connected
Herewith. lie had for his escort my
company Of the Second cavalry, and
was marching as rapidly as possible.
lie had done what be could in his office,
and now found his only safe plan was
TO 60 himself 10 the spot where
hostilities were progressing. lie
was man who always attended
10 everything himself as far as
possible. Utterly without pretension,
be held every man 10 a strict perform
ance of bis duty, and spared nothing in
having his plans carried out. lie was
an able Department commander, and
forcshadoKed many of those qualities
which made him famous in more ex-
tended sphere Of action, and proved HIN
one Of the greatest military leaders this
country has produced. lie was strict
il his WAYS, bat at the same time was
one Of the most benevolent and kind
! hearted Of men.
As he approached Sec0 river a mes
seneer came galloping mp 10 him AM
reported that the Indians were just
ahead, ard were robbing the settlements
on and near that stream. lttook bu.a
moment 10 pass the word to me. We
dashed oil with our troops and we're
soon in the midst Of The sayages, who,
unaware Of our proximity, were plum
de1ipg without hindranCe, and to theiI
own great satisfaction but when thC
cavalry dashed in upon them there were
seen some amazing feats Of hOrsen4n'
ship as, with wild yells, the Indian:
endeayored to get out OF the way
They had killed some head Of cattl'
and were about TO rob a house occl
pied by women who had huddled TO
gether there, when Lee appeared on tn'
scene. Away they went in every d
Ioction, but generally mp the river to
ward the mountains, the cattle loTin!
from fright, and the big bay horses 0
the troopers bounding after the re-
men over rocks, stones, and bushe
in way TO gladden. the heart o
every true horsemsn. For tim
the din was great as the troop
tore through the bushes. l
was race for life, and most exciting
one. as ali must admit. How man.
were hurt never was accurately know
to the whites, as sn Indian can concea
himself in place which would alm)5
seem impossible. The chase was kep
Up for a couple Of miles, but in Ia
broken ground all further efforts wer'
useless. The men returned to III
house when recall was sounded
their horses being blown an
their clothing in strings from the brd'
and bTiars. The women we're dreadinll
frightened, their husbands and brothe!
being away from hons at the time
r the attack, but as the soldiers retdrne,
they came in and were profuse in taei
thanks to Lee for his timely arrival Al
his handsome performance in oeatln
off the red rascals. lie was as lmpA'
sive as ever, but il was plainly to b
seen that he thoroughly enjoyed u
, discontinue of the Indians 81 well
the eagerness Of bis men to get
, them"
In lengthy and interesting mention {
the great commander as one who IA
, broken bread and lived in camps vii
him, Colonel Bracket speaks OF ID
Confederate General with the respe'
; and tender appreciation Of ll'etim
soldier for q gallant foe.
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