Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-06-20
GENERAL LEES TACT.

From an anecdotal article by Mrs
Margaret j. Preston, in the Century,
we quote the following:
Few men were more skilled in the
avoidance of every thing that could
wound the feelings of others. On the
occasion of General Lees being sum-
moned to Washington to give testi-
mony, an incident occurred which Illus
trates this characteristic. A connec-
ton of my own, who attended him as
one of his complimentary staff, told me
that when in Washington there were
multitudes of persons - and among
them some of the most distinguished
in the land, North and South-seeking
audience with General Lee; evening
after evening was occupied with these
interviews. Again and again had my
friend been beset by a 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 en-
barrass his provisional staff. But this
persistent Confederate watched his OPP
portunity and made the best of it
Coming up to Colonel M when he
was a little off his guard, he whis-
pered: Take me up now; there is no
body being introduced at this mo-
ment."
But don't you see that the General
is surrounded by group of officers and
Congressman, and that it won't do to
break in upon their conversational"
But the old soldier would not be
shaken off. So Colonel M thought
the best way to end the matter would
be to lead him up to the General. and
thus in moment put stop to his per-
tinacy. Taking him. accordingly, by
the arm, he drew him forward. The
large circle opened and allowed path
way, and the man was presented in due
form and received with as much cour-
tesy as if he had been prince of the
blood. Colonel NJ was about to
lead him instantly away, when he sud-
denly stepped into the open space
where the group had made way for
him, and In rather loud voice said:
General, L have always thought
that if | ever had the honor of meeting
you face to face, and there was an OPP
portunity allowed me, | would like to
ask you question which nobody but
you can answer. / seem to have that
opportunity now. This is what l want
to know: What was the reason that you
failed to gain the victory at the battle
of Gettysburg?'
To have such an ill-timed question
dropped like a bomb-shell in such a
presence was, to say the least of it, en-
barrassing, and some curt rejoinder
would have been natural and to the
purpose; but General Lees kind-heart-
edness would not permit a rude dis
missal even to so unwarrantable ques-
TONER Advancing and gently taking
him by the hand, while all the listening
group stood round amazed at the mans
presumption. the General quietly said:
my dear sir, that would be a long
story, and would require more time than
you see l can possibly command at
present; so we will have to defer the
matter to another occasion"
This same friend gave me an instance
of a similar encounter that concerned
Mrs. Lee. whose simplicity and kindli-
ness of heart rivaled that of her hus-
band.
The General and his wife were at the
Virginia White Sulphur Springs. occu-
plying one of the pretty cottages that
had been set apart for them. The
crowd of visitors was great, and every
body who had the least show for so do
ing was asking for introductions, for
the war had not long been over
Il encountered a good-natured but
absurd man from the far South" said
Colonel N, whose enthusiasm
for the Lee family was at fever heat.
His pompous way of talking was con-
slant amusement TO me; and when he
asked that / should intrude upon the
gay group that always filled the piazza
of the Generals cottage and introduce
him, l naturally hesitated somewhat,
fearing lest he should overpower them
by one of his magniloquent apostro-
Plies. He joined me one evening just
as we were passing the cottage door,
where a party of visitors were being
entertained by the General and his
wife. Now is your time he whis-
pered; and he forthwith drew me to
the steps. where as in duty bound, l
presented him. Withdrawing a little,
he assumed a Hamlet-like pose, and
lifting his hand with most dramatic
air, he began:
do | behold the honored roof
that shelters the head of him before
whose name the luster of Napoleon's
pales into a shadow? Do see the
walls within which sits the most adored
of men? Dare | tread the floor which
she who is a scion of the patriotic
house OF the revered Washington con-
descends to hallow with her presence?
Is this the portico that trails its vines
over the noble pair =
Il stumbled back aghast," said Col
Onel M, lat my own blunder. as
listened to this ridiculous speech, which
l really believed was gotten up and
conned for the occasion. But was re-
lieved in moment when Mrs. Lee.
quietly laying down her knitting and
the rhetorical effort. with
a kind look upon her face, replied:
Yes, this is our cabin; will you take
a seat upon the bench?''