The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-03-21
ANECDOTES OF GEN. LEE.
COMMANDING IN MANNER, But
ALWAYS VERY COURTEOUS

4. z. Mead an the NstC York Ledger.
One of the chief characteristics Of Gen.
Robert L. Lee was his extreme politeness TO
his officers and men as well as to every one,
both of high and low degree. was much
impressed with this the first time met him.
1t was ON cold winters day in 1868 that
happened to be at the small station on the
then Virginia Central railroad. was
dressed in very shabby suit of clothes with
a dilapidated SLOUGH hat drawn close over
my eyes, to keep out the pelting rain.
As the train drew up the captain re-
marked, as he stepped of, that Gen. Lee
was on board, and would find him in the
far end of the rear coach, with his officers.
Wishing TO speak with him on matter of
business, about which we had previously
had some correspondence I'VE had never
met, at once entered the designated
coach. As soon as the general saw
me enter, he and his officers arose
awaiting my approach. l introduced my
self, and Gen. Lee, with that graceful,
majestic courtesy so peculiar to him,
greeted me as cordially as il he had known
me always, or / had been some distin-
guished parsonage. His face wore a calm,
serious look; his utterance was slow but
firm and decided. and his fine military form
and bearing struck me very forcibly at the
tln6. leIb nlLls LeellIS Us il uau seoH u
great man, though he had not then reached
the hight OF his fame.
The following incident will serve to show
his great consideration for the property Of
others, as well as his care of his own men:
During the winter of 1862, General Lee
was walking through the camp in company
with Tom Traynham, his chief Of couriers,
when the general observed that brush
fence surrounding some poor farmers gar
da,, boI hao U n RI
Mr.. Traynham, he said;
"Mr. Traynham"
Eyes, general"
"When we came here was that fence sop
mo, general"
"Where is the other part. Mr.. Trayn-
hang
Burnt, general"
"By whom, sir!" inquired Gen. Lee. in
the same quiet tone.
"By all, general, some of it at your fire."
THAT was wrong, Mr.. Traynham. Did
you not know that, as sergeant of the
couriers, you should not allow such depre-
doations around headquartersm
81 did not know l had that authority,
general"
"Well, you must have it repaired, sir; l
suggest that tomorrow at o o'clock, after
the regular details are made out, that you
take all except those details, and have the
fence repaired
eyes, sir, replied Traynham.
Tell them say so, said the general, as
his courier started OFF.
The next morning Traynham gave notice
that all who were not detailed should be
ready at 8 TO repair the fence. At the
specified hour all came promptly except one
man. who felt the work beneath his dignity.
Traynham notified him that if he did not
come in five minutes he would be reported
to Gen. Lee, which had the desired effect
All went to work with will, but a blind
ing snowstorm set in, and Gen.
Lee, who was watching the men, seeing
under what difficulties they were working,
sent messenger to say had they not better
stop until the snow held up. But they re-
piled: TELL the general we will soon finish,"
and finish they did, leaving the fence
stronger and better than before, much to
the qualification OF Gen. Lee. After that
the fencas near headquarters did not disap-
pear so rapidly.
At another time. when there had been
much cold weather and snow, the meu had
made some protection for their horses. MIR.
Traynham had fixed simply brush shelter
for his, and il was not quite so good as the
others. Gen. Lee observed this. as he
was walking out, and, suddenly stopping,
said:
MIR. Traynhamg 49,
"Sirg'
Whose horse is thats"
Mine, general"
"Your own or your father'sp
"My father gave it to me SIR"
81 thought you would take better care of
your fathers horse, said the general quietly.
as he started on.
Mr.. Traynham soon provided a better
protection for his horse.
Gen. Lee was ALWAYS kind. courteous and
gentle, but never failed to show by his tone
that he was to be recognized as the general
commanding. AS an instance of this, the
following amusing incident is given:
One day of battle all were hurried out
before they had time to breakfast. AS the
battle warmed up, the bullets began to
whistle and the shells screeched all around
the general and his couriers. One of the
couriers suddenly discovered that he was
so thirsty that he must go aud get some
water; another said he must have some
breakfast. as he was weak from hunger;
and both quietly disappeared. In a little
while Gen. Lee looked around, and noting
their absence, said to Traynham:
"Mr Traynham, where are Mr.. S. and
Mr. B-?'
"Mr. s. said he must go and get some
water, and Mr.. B said he was weak from
hunger and must go and get some break
faSt.n
Gen. Lee quietly rode on and said no
battle, and the general retired to a quiet
place to breakfast. When his breakfast
was brought up by the servant the general
picked out good portion of the best of it,
placing it on plate, called Mr.. Traynham,
and said:
"Mr. Traynham, wish you would take
this to Mr.. B and say hope his hunger
will be appeased."
The next morning, when all the couriers
had assembled, Gen. Lee called up Mr..
S., and told him he was sorry he had
suffered so much from thirst on the day be-
fore, that he would please report to Col.
Taylor, and find orders to return to his COM
mand. And to MIR. B he said he was
sorry he suffered SO much hunger. and he
would please report to Col. Taylor, where
he would find orders, also, to return to his
command. 1t is needless to say that both
gentlemen were much ashamed, and one of
them begged, in tears, so earnestly, that he
was allowed to remain with the general,
and ever afterward made good soldier.
The following will show somewhat the
dry humor of Gen. Lee, who, though always
wearing grave countenance, yet could en-
! joy joke:
At time when the opposing armies were
lying on the banks of the Rappahannock,
which was greatly swollen by excessive
rain, the one on the south bank, the other
Immediately opposite on the north bank,
Gen. jackson was expected to come up in
the rear of the enemy, and Gen: Lee was