The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-10-18

One by one the veterans of the terrible con-
test between the States are dropping of like
the falling autumn leaves. And noticeahly
80 is it the case Of those who held high COM
mand, Federal and Confederate. One Of the
latest to answer the last call was William
Henry Fitzhugh Lee, Oldest son OF Robert e.
Lee, who died at his country seat, at Ravens
worth, Va. General Lee worthily represented
the Eighth Congressional district OF Virginia
for some years. While he did not inherit the
great military talents OF his illustrious father,
nor cannot be ranked with him as a states
soul that showed him to be worthy bearer
OF the name of Lee. An anecdote which |
wish to relate will show this.
It happened that In January, 1864, the
writer was a lieutenant in command of one of
the companies Of what was then known as
General r. E. Lees headquarters and moving
with the headquarters wherever they might
be. They had all the hard work attached to
such command Among their duties being
that OF taking down and placing in position
the heavy guns at the Hewlett House and the
batteries In front of Dutch Gap. They did
their work well and General Lee appreciated
their conduct by drawing them nearer to his
headquarters and giving them charge Of his
person, as 1t were. Along about Christmas Of
4CVt, buc uuucTOuS spies, ludlc anu I6Iual6,
who were circulating without let or hindranee
between Petersburg and Richmond, which
were then beleaguered, were "spotted" by
the Confederate secret service, and 1t was re-
solved that the most stringent regulations
should be adopted for stamping out the prac-
tice. At this time there was virtually no
restriction on travel between the points named,
and the passport regulations were a sham
which could easily be evsded by any sharp
scout or spy.
A. II. Y
battalion In charge Of the trains-three officers
Of the battalion 10 run alternately from
Petersburg to Richmond and back. 1t hap
pened that was one OF the officers selected.
And may say that we had the most hide
bound orders not to pass anybody-private or
general-unless his pass was signed by "R.
e. Lee, General" In other words the sigma
ture of General Lee in his own handwriting
was alone to be recognized. And we officers
OF the train guard were directed to arrest and
turn over to l. G. Darlington or to Major d.
b. Bridgeford all parties without passports
from General r. K. Lee, no matter what their
shoulder straps, at Richmond or Petersburg,
as the case might be, until matters were set
tied at headquarters Of the army
In the month speak OF General Grant had
moved his batteries up to such position on
the heights above Petersburg that no railroad
train could get within mile Of Pocahontas
Bridge over the Appomattox. Therefore the
trains were stopped in a railroad cut mile or
moro from the city. 1t was cheerless place,
and people wishing to go from Petersburg to
Richmond had a muddy time of 1t to reach
the trains In those days, and then everybody
was out of humor.
One morning about O'Clock In January,
1864, there were six passenger cars awaiting
their load OF passengers. 1t was murky and
drtzzling weather, and | had charge Of the
train. had two Of my guards on each plat
form, and by the dim light Of lantern held
by my sergeant was scrutinizing as we'll as /
could the passports OF each Of the passengers
as they sought entrance.
Among them was big burly officer who
presented his passports and they were so
blurred with the rain that could not read
them.
"Who are you p" said 1 to him.
"Can't you read, sir?n said he.
Said /, 81 care not who you are, but wish
you to understand that | am In command OF
this train.n
Said he, 81 am General w. H. F-Lee.n
said to him, "If you were Julius Ceser
wouldn't past you without proper papers, ''and,
as a matter of fact, just as did General Malone
and other high officers they never attempted
to comply with the stringent regulations that
were imposed upon the officers OF the train
guards, andshence from first to last there was
world of trouble
told him that he could not get on the car
without proper certificate, but he pushed
his way In, despite the efforts of my guards,
who were no doubt appalled, by the brass but
tons and the splendid coat OF major general.
He went In and took seat, and when fol-
lowed, with my lantern and guard, he said:
~ am General William IL. f. Lee, sir, and l
will report you as soon as get back to Peters
burg"
~ don't care who you are answered; ~
will hold you as prisoner. only know the
passport OF II. E. Lee, and / want to make
sure 1t is not counterteited."
At the halfway station went through the
cars again, and when General Lee refused TO
give me any satisfac tion placed guard
over him and on arrival at Richmond he was
marched through the streets before file of
bayonets to the Office OF the provost marshal.
There / stated my case and the General was
released. WhenI came back on the return
trip had written up a full account OF the
whole affair and / submitted it to Paymaster
Charles Wallack, who was good friend of
mine, before placing the matter before the
General. Wallack's tent was but few PAGES
| from ths headquarter tents proper. AS was
| leaving the marquee on the banks of the canal,
General K. e. Lee stepped out from head
quarters and asked me what was doing there.
Paymaster Wallack said: she has made re-
| port relative TO your son, General w. II. r.
| Lee'
'''Let me see it," said the general He went
hack ~ bic fapf and I had ,1nb,1allad mn