The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1889-08-07
GENERA. LEE,s TACT.

From an anecdotal article by Mrs.
Margaret j. Preston in the Centnrywe
quote the following:
Few men were more skilled in the
avoidance of everything that could
wound the feelings Of others. On the
occasion of General Lees being sum-
moned TO Washington TO give his testi-
mony. an incident occurred which il
Illustrates this characteristic. A con-
nection 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 many of the most dis
tinguishedin 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 pre-
sented, and as often had he been
waived aside on the plea that the num-
Der of gentleman coming to be intro
his provisional staff. But this per-
sistent Confederate watched his OPP
portunity and made the best of It.
Coming up to Colonel Nj when he.
was little of his guard be whispered,
"Tako mo up now; there is nobody
being introduced at this moment"
"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 conversations"
But the old soldier would not be
shaken off. So Colonel NJ thought
the best way to end tho matter would
be to lead him up to the General, and
thus in moment put stop to perth
nacity. Taking him, accordingly, by
the arm, he drew him forward. The
large circle opened and allowed a
pathway, and the man was presented
in due form and received with as much
courtesy as il he had been a prince of
the blood. Colonel M was about
to lead him instantly away. when he
suddenly stepped into the ,sopen space
where the group had made way for
him, and In rather loud voice said:
General, / have always thought
that il / ever had tho honorc of meet
ing you face to face, and there was an
opportunity allowed me, / would like
to ask you a question. which nobody
but you can answer. seem to have
that opportunity now. This IL what l
want TO know; What sods The reason
that you failed to gain the victory at the
battle of Gettys6nrg?'
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 reioinder
VIC sHu Axatsa mi q A.
purpose; but General Lees kind-heart-
edness would not permit rude dis
missal even to so unwarrantable %
question. Advancing and gently TAX
ing him by the hand. whilo all tho
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 | can possibly command
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
AusbAnds
The General aud 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 every
body who had lthe least ishow for so
doing was asking for introductions,
for tho war had not long been over.
II encountered good-natured but
absurd man from the far South" said
Colonel M, 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 thatalways filled the piazza
of the Generals cottage and intro
duce him, l naturally hesitated some-
what, fearing least he should over
power them by one of his magnilo-
quent apostrophes. He Joined me one
evening just as We were passing the
cottage door, where party of visitors
were being entertained by the GEN
eral and his wife. Now Is your time,'
he whispered; and he forthwith drew mo
to the steps, where, as in duty bound,
presented him. Withdrawing lit
tie, he assumed a Hamlet-like pose,
and lifting his hand with most
dramatic air, he began:
EDO behold the honored roof that
shelters the head of him before whose
name the luster Of Napoleon's pales in
to shadow Do / see the walls
within which sits the most adored of
menp Dare l tread the floor which
she who is scion of the patriotic
houaa of thu rayered Waahin 0tan con-
descends TO hollow with her presencep
In this the portico that trails Its vines
over the noble pair
~ stumbled back aghast." said Col
onel M. sat my own blunder, as /
listened to this ridiculous speech, which
really believe 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,
with kind look upon her faco replied;
"'Yes, this is our cabin; win you
Aal ~. a.