The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-05-11
ROBERT E. Ives GOLD SPURS.
The Test monial He Received from
Maryland Sympathizers.
From the Boltinlore Sun.

From the Baltimore sun.
In the third year of the late war Gen. r.
E Lee was expected to cross the Potomac
into Prince Georges county at the head of
the Confederate army on its march to
Pennsylvania. His friends and admirers
in and around Marlborough determined TO
give him a cordial welcome and to cele-
brate the event by presenting him with
some appropriate article to serve as testi-
monlal of their esteem and as a souvenir of
his visit. The General and his army did not
come, but his friends decided to give him
the present and they collected $500 for that
purpose. They concluded to spend the
money in the purchase of pair of gold
spurs. They were of solid gold with mo-
rocco straps. The rowelS were of steel as
sharp as needles point. On the inside of each
spur were engraved Latin inscription sig
nltylng Courage urges on and the words
Presented to Gen. Robert f. Lee by his
friends and admirers of P G. Co., Nd
The difficult task of getting the spurs
through the lines was assigned to gentle
man of Prince Georges, who now resides in
Baltimore. He gave them TO blockade
runner, and they had a narrow escape from
falling into the hands of the enemy. He left
them at the house of a friend while he
went to another point i'll quest of other
articles. During his absence the house was
ANloaChcu ny ST udu Oh feuerai cavalry
mon. The only occupant at the time was a
lady, and when she saw the imminent peril
of the precious spurs she thrust them into
her dress and saved theIa. Accompanying
the spurs was note stating that they were
the gift of Gen. Lees friends in Prince
Georges No names were attached to the
note, as the donors had no wish to make
themselves liable to arrest in case,
of the capture of the spurs. The
hn uc.Hl1 fri lie.
into trouble deferred Gen. Lee from
acknowledging the receipt of the spurs.
After the war he visited Prince Georges,
and was given a dinner by Maj. Lee, and
there met the friends who had remembered
him SO kindly. The spurs were not heard
from again until few months ago, when,
with other relics of Gen. Lee, they were
placed on exhibition in Richmond when the
cornerstone to the monument to be erected
to his memory was laid. The following let
ter in reference to the spurs has been re-
caived from Mr.. r. E. Lee, son of Gen. Lee:
RoMANCoKE, WEST POINT, VA, April g. 1888.
Editor Baltimore San.
DEAR SIR have the golden spurs" They
were given me by my mother after my fathers
death. AS remember, she said that my father
intended that should have them. | recall that
they were sent to him through the lines by
blockade" about the third year of the war.
mad always understood that they were sent by
the ladies of Prince Georges county, Mary
land, but see by the inscription, Friends and
Admirers. They are very handsome, solid
gold, medium size, and of tbs military type
The inscription on the inside of each spur is as
follows: ''Stimulos dedit Virtus Presented to
Gen. Robt +, Lee by His Friends and Admirers
of P. G. Co., Md" The Authorizations are neces.
sary on account of the space on the spurs. The
rowels are of steel and the feathers good mo-
rocco, and the spurs are for service and not
entirely for show Whether Gen. Lee ever
wore them l cannot tell, but should think not,
unless it was on some review. Where he was
when he received them l cannot recall; proba-
bly, Col. w. II. Taylor, of Norfolk Va, could
tell. He was his Adjutant General and always
with him. | remember no Incidents connected
with the spurs but what have told you. Twenty
three years ago to-day the Army of Northern
Virginia surrendered. Very respectfully,
Il. L. LEE.