Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-05-02
LEES SPURS OF GOLD.
A warIucident RecaiIcd-TOken from
MaryIaud SympRthizers.

In the third year Of the late war Gene
rel Il. f.. Lee was expected to cross the
Potomac into Prince Georges county mt
the head Of the Confederate army on Its
march to Pennsylvania. His friends
and admirers in and around Marlboro
determined 70 give him cordial well
come and TO celebrate the event by pre-
senting him with some appropriate article
70 serve as a testimonial OF their esteem
and az SOUrcHiT Of his visit. The
General and his army did not come, but
his friends decided t0gve him the pres
ent. and they collected $500 for that pur-
pose. They concluded to spend the
money in the purchase OF pair OF
gold spurs. Among the contributors
were Major Lee. a relative OF General
Il. f. Lee. and Mr.. George W. Graham,
both of whom are now dead. The list
of contributors included many promi-
nent citizens of the county and also many
ladies. 1t was during those days that
tobacco brought fabulous prices, and bad
il been necessary provision could have
been made for much more expensive
gift.
The purchase of the spurs was in
trusted TO MIR. Colin Mackenzie. He
placed the order with Mr.. George w.
Webb. who was then extensively en-
gagged in the jewelry business at the
southeast corner of Baltimore and Light
streets. The spurs were made IN Mr.
Wcbb's store, and were of handsome
workmanship. and IT is doubtful II
more beautiful pair were ever seen III
Baltimore. They were OF solid gold,
with morocco straps. The rowels were
of steel, as sharp rs needles point.
On the inside Of each spur were en-
graved q Latin inscription, signifylng
"Courage urges on, and the words {:
presented TO General Robert f. Lee
by his friends and admirers OF Z. q. Co.,
Md" When Mr.. Mackenzie gave the
$500 in payment Mr.. Webb handed back
S25 as his contribution to the fund.
The fact that Mr.. Webb had made the
spurs became known in some way, and
he was taken to the headquarters of Pro
vost- Marshal Fish, who subjected him to
most rigid and searching examination,
hut failed TO elicit any information to
show that Mr.. Webb had done otherwise
than fill an order, as any other business
man would have done, and he was
promptly released and relieved OF further
scrutiny in the conduct Of his business.
Mr.. Webb remembers the incident well.
The difficult task OF getting the spurs
through the lines was assigned to gen
tleman of Prince Georges, who now re-
sides in Baltimore. He gave them to q
blockade-runner, and they had 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 in
Quest Of other articles. During his alb
senee the house was ransacked by squad
OF Federal cavalrymen. The only occu-
pant at the time wac n lady, and when
she saw the imminent peril of the pre-
cious spurs she thrust them in the cor
sage oil her dress and thereby saved
them. Every other article belonging to
the blockade-runDe fell into the cavalry
mems hands.
Accompanying the spurs was a note
stating that they were the gift OF General
Lees friends in Prince Georges. No
names were attached 10 the note, as the
donors had no wish to make themselves
liable 10 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 oil
the spurs. After the war he visited
Prince Georges, and was gwen dinner
by Major Lee, and there met the friends
who had remembered him so kindly.
The spurs were not heard from AGAR
until few months ago, when, with othel
relics Of General Lee, they were PLACED
on exhibition in Richmond when th,
corners stone TO the monument TO b,
erected 10 his memory was laid. Thu
following letter in reference to the spur
has been received from Mr.. X. +. Lee
son Of General Lee;
"RoMANooKE, WRsr PoISr. Va, I
April Q, 1885. !
"Editor Baltimore Sun:
"Dear Sin, II have the golden spurs.
They were give me by my mother afte
my fathers death. As remember, sh'
said that my father intended that ishoult
have them. recall that they were sem
70 him through the lines by blockade
about the third year OF the war hae
always understood that they were SEN