Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1889-06-10
General Lees Tact.

summoned to Washington to give tes-
timony, an incident occurred which IL
Illustrates this characteristic. A con-
nection of my own, who attended him
as one of his complimentary stall, told
me that when in Washington there
were multitudes of persons-and
among them many of the most dis
tinguished in the land, North and
South-seeking audience with Gen
eral Lee; evening after evening was
occupied with these interviews. Again
and again had my friend been beset
by person who had no claim to be
presented, and as often had he been
waived aside on the plea that the
number of gentlemen coming to be
introduced was so great as to embar-
rass his provisional staff. But his
persistent Confederate watched his
opportunity and made the best of it.
Coming up to Colonel NJ when he
was little off his guard he whispered,
Take me up now; there is nobody
being introduced at this moment
''But don't you see that the Gener-
al is surrounded by group of offic-
ers and congressman, and that it won't
do to break in upon their converse
tions?"
But the old soldier would not be
shaken off So Colonel M--tho't
the best way to end the matter would
be to lead him up to the General, land
thus in a moment put a stop to his
pertinacity. Taking him, according
ly, by the arm, he drew him forward.
The large circle opened and allowed
a pathway, and the man was present.
ed in due form and received with as
much courtesy as if he had been
prince of the blood. Colonel NJ
was about to lead him instantly away,
when he suddenly stepped into the
open space where the group had made
way for him, and in a rather loud
voice said
General Il have always thought
that if ever had the honor of meet
ing you face to face, and there was
an opportunity allowed me, [ would
like to ask you a question which no.
body but you can answer. | seem
to have an opportunity now. This is
what | want to know: What was
the reason that you failed to gain the
victory at the battle of Gettysburgh?"
To have such an ill-timed question
dropped like a bomb-shell in such a
presence was, to say the least of it,
embarrassing, and some curt rejoin-
der would have been natural and to
the purpose but General Lees kind
heartedness would not permit a rude
dismissal even to so unwarrantable a
questioner. Advancing and gently
taking him by the hand, while all the
listening group stood round amazed
at the mans presumption, the Gener-
al quietly said:
''My dear sir, that would be a
long story, and would require more
time than Won see 7 can nnssihlu conn
mand at present.; so we will have to
defer the matter to another occasion"
This same friend gave me an in
stance of similar encounter that con-
cerned Mrs. Lee, whose simplicity
and kindliness of heart rivaled that
of her husband.
The General and his wife were at
the Virginia White Sulphur Springs,
occupying one of the pretty cottages
that had been set apart for them.
The crowd of visitors was great, and
everybody who had the least show
for so doing was asking for introduce
tions, for the war had not long been
over.
II encountered a good-natured but
absurd man from the far South
said Colonel M, "whose enthusi-
asm for the Lee family was at fever
heat. His pompous way of talking
was a constant amusement to me ;
and when he asked that / should in
trude upon the gay group that always
filled the piazza of the Generals cot
taoe and introduce him, naturally
hesitated somewhat, fearing lest he
should overpower them by one of his
magniloquent apostrophes. He join
ed me one evening just as we were
passing the cottage door, where a
party of visitors were being entertain
ed by the General and his wife. Now
is the time he whispered; and he
forthwith drew me to the steps, where,
as in duty bound, | presented him.
Withdrawing a little, he assumed
Hamlet-like pose, land lifting his hand
with most dramatic air, he Ibegan:
&C sDo 1 behold the honored roof
that shelters the head of him before
whose name the luster of Napoleon's
pales into a shadow? Do l see the
walls within which sits the most
adored of men? Dare / tread the
floor which she who is scion of the
patriotic house of the revered Wash
ington condescends to hallow with
her presence? Is this the portico that
trails its vines over the noble pair
81 stumbled back aghast," said
Colonel M I, sat my own blunder,
as 1 listened to this ridiculous speech,
which really believed was gotten up
and conned for the occasion. But /
was relieved in moment when Mrs.
Lee, quietly laying down her knitting
and interrupting the rhetorical effort,