Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-06-11
GEN. LEES BODY SERVANT.
A Resident OF Boston--He Relates
stories of the southern Leader.

stories of the southern Leader.
~tN From tie Boston Post.
ayes, sab, Use de man. l was Masea
Robert Lees body servant durin' de wah,
surah enuf." Anthony Riley, negro
was busily engaged in scrubbing the floor
OF Horticultural Hall when a reporter ac-
costed him. A curious cham OF ciroum-
stances brought Anthony to Boston, after
an eventful life as Gen. Robert L. Lees
body servant the fortunes OF war depriY-
ing him OF a comfortable home and a kind
master.
Some interesting facts were ELECTED
from him during conversation. 1t seems
that Anthony sprRng from long line OF
slaves. His father. AtrOlius Riley, ana
his grandfather were slaves, belonging 10
the Custis family of Arlington Heights,
Va. into which family Washington and
Lee both married, candy" is now over
80 years old. although be looks much
younger. lie has an intelligent face and
jolly disposition, always cracking Jokes
with the employees in the building. he
was born on the Custis plantation. When
Gen. Lee married Martha Custis, Andy
was a boy pfabOut 10. With many OF the
500 slaves in the GUSTS family Andy fell
To Lep's share after the marriage, and
eventually became his body servant.
During Gen. Lees courtship Andy re-
members but little. He used 10 see him
drive up through the beautiful circular
bath, lined with magnificent trees, to the
house, jump down from his horse, Rob
AtuHs aDd finger near Miss GUSTS for
hours. Just after the marriage Andy
T-Ss made one OF the house servants and
witnessed continual round oil gayety
gndy pleasure. Lee was then captain,
= ChIted States army, according to Andy's
recollection. He remembers seeing two
seffbes oHthe shoulders Of bis masters
uniform. When the young officer went
oDBith a hunting party it was Andy's
duty to brush the flies from Lees
horse and open the gates of the estate.
Partridge hunting was one of the events on
the plantation in the season, a sport OF
which Lee was very fond, especially as
he was a crack shot with the sporting
gun.
''De white folks lived high when Massa
Lee was on de plantation; Just de same
az gOin' 10 Saratoga, boss" remarked
Andy.
Atterward Andy was placed in charge
of the horses. When Lee went to Harper's
Ferry on John Browns raid Andy hitched
up the carriage and drove to Leesburg,
where the carriage was put up, and Lee,
accompanied by mis- young servant, rode
on horseback TO Harper's Ferry. From
this time until Andy ran away from his
was Lees body servant. His especial
duty was to take care Of the horses Robert
and Dick. both of which were Kentucky
Thorough oreds. Andy accompanied his
master to Richmond, and was present
with him when Ellsworth was Killed In
Jackson's Hotel, Alexandria; thence TO
Manassas. ChickahOminy and many
Aother places in Virginia. His position as
body servant brought HIM near his mas
"A & q
duty to keep very near Lee, even In en-
Ragements, IN order to take care of his
horse at a moments notice. Lees man.
ner was always kind to his servants,
though be rarely expressed opinions be-
lore them. When everything was run
ming smoothly, he would sometimes speak
to Andy and show evidence of his feel
lngs. Andy says he was decidedly tickled
after Bah Run. lie very often gave his
men 50 bill, suits Of clothes and other
presents. He loved his own people, and
was domestic man, according to Andy's
statement. At home, he used his slaves
very kindly, and all were happy and con-
tented. Andy remained vita Lee as his
body servant until the war had progressed
about two years. When Lee went up the
ishenandOah Valley, en- route to South
Mountain, Andy ran away. Instead OF
leading the Generals horse around TO
him, as was his custom every morning, he
turned him over to a small darby boy and
left the camp. 1t was three days before
he reached the northern lines at Fairfax
Court House. Arriving there he became
the servant Of Gen. Reynolds, performing
the same duties as before. He never saw
1.-THE General again nor the small roy to
whom he gave the horse in charge. After
the war Andy rOamed about in New York
State, working In stables, hotels and
clubs, coming to Boston some fourteen
years ago. lie has been in his present
position at Horticultural Hall for the past
twelve years. According to Andy's story
Lee was extremely fond of the thorough
bfedsr Robert" and "Dick." He would
ride them very hard at times. but was al
wavs particular in giving instructions to
ANDY TO give them the best of care. Even
when at home on the Virginia estate the
Tour horses attach ed to the family car
Tiage would receive the greatest care
alter drive, and, from Andy's story,
The General had as great an affection for
his horses as for his family and men in
general.