The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1888-06-07
Robert f. Lees Gold Spurs.
From the Baltimore Sun. |

from the Baltimore sun.
In the third year of the late war
General R. E. Lee was expected to cross
the Potomac into Prince Georges coun-
ty 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 celebrate the
event by presenting him with some
appropriate article to serve as a testi-
monial of their esteem, and as 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
tospend the money for a pair of gold
spurs. They were of solid gold, with
morocco straps. The roweis were of
steel, as sharp as needles point. On
the inside of each spur was engraved
Latin inscription signifying Courage
urges on" and the words, presented
to General Robert E. Lee by his friends
and admirers of P. G. Co., Md" The
difficult task of getting the spurs
through the lines was assigned to.a
gentleman 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 friend while he went
to another point in quest of other
articles. During his absence the house
was ransacked by a squad of federal
cavalrymen. The only occupant at the
time was lady, and when she saw the
imminent peril of the precious spurs she
thrust tt into her dress and saved
them. Accompanying the spurs was q
note stating that they were the gift of
General 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 fear
that he would get his friends into
trouble deferred General Lee from
acknowledging the receipt of the spurs.
After the war he visited Prince Georges
and was given dinner by Major Lee,
and there met the friends who had
remembered him so kindly. The spurs
were not heard from again until a few
months ago, when, with other relics of
General Lee, they were placed on ex-
hibition in Richmond when the corner
stone to the monument to be erected
to his memory was laid. The following
letter in reference to the spurs has been
received from Mr.. R. E. Lee, son of
General Lee: " -'---:-.,' s--.
RoMANcoKE, WEST POINT, Va,
April 9.-]Iditor Baltimore Sun: Dear
Sir-I have the "golden spurs" They
were given to me by my mother after
my fathers death. AS remember, she
said that my father intended that I
should have them. I recall that they
We're sent to him through the line, by
BLOCKADE" about the third year of the
wal. had always understood that
they were sent by the "ladies of Prince
Georges county, Nd" but I see by the
inscription "Friends and Admirers"
They are very handsome, solid gold,
medium size, and of the military type.
The inscription on the inside of each
spur is as follows: Stimulos dedit Vir-
tues. Presented to General Robert T..
Lee by His friends and Admirers Of P.
G. Co., Md" The authorizations are
necessary on account Of the space on
the spurs. The rowels are of steel and
the feathers good morocco, and the
spurs are for service and not entirely
for show. Whether General Lee ever
wore them I cannot tell, but should
think not, unless it was on some review.
Where he was when he received them
I cannot recall; probably Colonel W.
n. Taylor, of Norfolk, Va, could tell.
He was his adjutant general, and
always with him. I remember no
incidents connected with the spurs but
what l have told you. Twenty-three
years ago to-day the army of Northern
Virginia surrendered.
Very respectfully,
r. E. LEE.