The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-06-08
GENERAL LEES TACT.
He Was Skilled in Avoiding ofense
to Others.
from The Century for June.


Few men were more skilled in the avoid
ance OF everything that could wound the
feelings OF others. On the &C aston Of Gen.
Lees being summoned to Washington TO
| give testimony, an incident occurred which
| illustrates 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 many of the
most distinguished in the land, north and
south-seeking audience with Gen. Lee even
Ing after evening was occupied with these
interviews. Again and again had my trieH6
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 embarraSs his Provisional staff
But this persistent confederate watched his
| opportunity and made the best of it. Com
ing up to Col M-when he was a 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 general Is sur
! rounded by group of officers and congress
men and that it won't do to break in upon
their convers ation?'
But the old soldier would not be shaken
of. So Col, NJ - thought the best way
! to end the matter would be to lead him up
TO the general, and thus in a moment put a
stop to his pertinacity. Taking him accord
lngly. 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 courtesy
as If he had been a prince of the blood
Col Nj - was about to lead him in
stantly away, when lie suddenly stepped
into the open space where the group lad
made way for him, and il a rather loud
voice said.
General, have always thought that if
ever had the honor Of meeting you face
20 lace, and there was an opportunity
allowed me, 1 would like to ask you ques-
ton which nobody but you can answer
seem 60 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 Gettysburgp
10 have such an ill-timed question
dropped like a bomb-shell ia such presence
was, to say The least of it, embarrassing,
and some curt rejoinder would have been
natural and to the purpose, but Gen. Lees
kind-hearteduess would not permit rude
dismissal even to 50 understandable a ques-
tloner. Advancing and gently taking him
by the hand, while all the listening group
stood round amazed at the mans presump-
ton, the general quietly said:
Ny dear sir, that would be long story.
and would require more time than yon see
eau possibly command at present. so we
will have to defer the matter to another
OCCASION"
This same friend gave me an instance of
similar encounter that concerned Mrs.
Lee, whose simplicity and kindliness of
heart rlvaled that of her husband.
The general and his wife were at the Vir-
GINA 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
lions, for the war had not lolg been over.
aG"l encountered good-natured but absurd
man from the far south, said Col. NJ,
whose enthusiasm for the Lee family was
at FEVER heat. His pompous way of talking
was constant amusement to me; and
when he asked that | should intrude upon
the gay group that always filed the piazza
OF the generals cottage and introduce him,
naturally hesltated somewhat, fearing lest
he should overpower them by one of his
magniloquent apostrophes. He Joined me
one evening just as we were passing the
cottage door, where party of visitors were
being entertained by the general and his
wife. Now is your time,' he whispered;
and he forthwith drew me to the steps.
where, as in duty bound, presented him.
Withdrawing little, he assumed Ham
let-like pose, and lifting his hand with a
AiAOSO vi ali il0 Doesdus
lido | behold the honored roof that Shelf
tiers the head of him before whose name
the luster of Napoleon's pales into shadow?
Do | 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 Washington conde-
sends to hallow with her presence? Is this
the portico that trails its vines over the
noble pair
II stumbled back aghast," said Col.
M, ''at my own blunder, as | listened
to this ridiculous speech, which l really be-
lieved was gotten up and conned for the &C.
caSion. But l was relieved in a moment
when Mrs Lee, quietly laying down her
knitting and interrupting the rhetorical
effort, with kind look upon her face re-
Piled:
Yes, this is our cabin; will you take a
seat upon the benchpn