Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-10
GOVERNOR FITzHUGH LEE.


- oe918 NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
vsunsss .. His Relation 20 the csnsede-
me- Csnunnses.
l2ehn Exscn Cooke. in Philadelphia Times.I
Up 70 the time Of the war General
HitE Lees record was not more distin-
guishsd than that Of many other subor-
dinats officers, though Il contained one
q two picturesque incidents. Born in
1885, which makes him nearly fifty at
present, he graduated ut West Point in
lks year 1856, and was commissioned
second lieutenant in the Second United
States cavalry. He was first sent to drill
cavalry recruits at Carlisle barracks, Pa,
and by one Of the curious condolences
% numerous in the late war he burned,
By order Of Stuart, the same barracks
Just preceding the battle Of Gettysburg.
he soon entered upon active service,
and in May, 1859, led picked force of
Van Dorn's command against the Co
nanches, was shot through the lungs
with an Indian arrow, and narrowly es-
capped with his life. In another Indian
action he killed q chief in fierce per-
sonal combat and General Scott, ever
ready to recognize merit, spoke in his
report of "the conspicuous gallantry
and energy Of Sccond-Lieutenant Fitz-
hugh Lee"
In 1860 he was transferred TO West
Point Is IN Instructor of cavalry and
had some distinguished pupils, among
them Custer, whom he was to clash
against Afterwards in the civil war, and
Fitzpatrick, whom he was TO drive be-
fore him in the famous Buckland
Races" Of 1868. When Virginia Sc
eeded he resigned bis commission and
joined the South, acting as staff-oflicer
at the first Manassas, and as colonel Of
tho First Virginia cavalry in the cam
paign Of the Peninsula. Here his
energy and ability as q cavalry officer
proved of the highest value to General
Johnston, and when in June, 1862,
Stuart made his expedition around the
army Of General Mcclellan on the
Chickahominy, the famous record of
General Fitz Lee may be said to have
begun in earnest.
A SOLDIER BY RIGHT OF BIRTH.
Going back to what now seems that
remote period in memory, the present
writer recalls the impression produced
upon him at the time-namely, that
the joyous Colonel--soon to be Gen.
eral-Fitz Lee was born to be cavalry
man and to pass his life In camps. In
fact, he told me one day that he en-
joyed the life Of o soldier, and there is
no doubt whatever that he did enjoy it.
He was a man Of medium height, with
. long brown beard, heavy moustache,
twinkling eyes, full Of humor and good
fellowship, and the readiest of laughs.
He was soldier alone from the
feather in his hat to his rafting
spurs, and the very clank of his sabre
was inspiring. No one was more
popular with his brother officers
and the men of his command, but his
closest and warmest friend was General
j. f. b. Stuart. They had been COM
rades at West Point and friends in the
old army. Both were full Of life and
fun, enjoyed practical jokes keenly, and
when they were together it was hard to
say which was more uproarious. They
were associated from that time forward
in the immense struggle Of the war in
Virginia, and the last words uttered
by General Stuart when he fell at yell
low Tavern were: $50 ahead, FitZ,
old fellow know you will do what
is right T"
STUART AND LEES MOVEMENTS.
In June, 1862, this long association
in the Virginia Cavalry between Stuart
and Fitz Lee had just begun, and the
latter was Stuart's able assistant in the
famous expedition around the army of
General Mcclellan. This event of the
war has been described in detail in the
Times, and the story need not therefore
be repeated. Amusing incidents &C.
CURED in connection with General
then Colonel-Lee, one OF which may
be now recalled as characteristic Of
those strange times
When we had nearly reached Old
Church Fitz Lee charged and drove a
company of.Federal cavalry, many Of
whom were overtaken and brought
back, looking very crestfallen. As the
prisoners passed Colonel Lee, who was
sitting on his horse in the road, they
turned their heads, and it was plain
that they and the Colonel recognized
each other. In fact, the Colonel had
charged and captured number Of men
from his old United States regiment,
and it was amusing to hear him ex-
claim:
"Why, Brown, how are you? How
are Robinson and the rest ?h And the
prisoners replied:
"Why, Lieutenant, is that you ?
A little further on Colonel W. II. +,
Lee charged and routed Captain Royal,
of the United States cavalry, and Colo
mel Fitz burned his camp in the midst
of joyous shouts, after which the cav
AIRY passed on and recrossed the Chick
ahominy. To both Stuart and Colonel
Fits Lee the whole expedition seemed
. Joyous frolic. But here, as else
where, in some Of the most critical and
perilous scenes Of the war, the uncloud-
ed acumen and resolute will we've I'M
der the laughter.
MOVING TOWARD CULPEPER.
After this expedition, which informed
General Robert f. Lee Of the position
Of the enemy and led to the great flank
attack upon General Mcclellan, result
ing in the seven days fighting, from
Geld Barbor TO Malvern Hill, the Ca
yalry moved northward in August to-
ward Cnlpepef to take part in the cam
paign which terminated in the second
battle of Manassas. Stuart had been
promoted to the rank Of msjor-general,
and Colonel Lee, with others, became
brigadier general, with which command
he followed Stuart to the hard wars Of
Northern Virginia and Maryland.
During this whole great campaign the
movements Of the cavalry were unrest
ing, and Brigadier- General Lee was one
Of the most conspicuous figures in every
conflict. just before the second Ma
nassas an incident Is related Of him
showing the generous and chivalrous
81 r. A L.