Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-10-16
FRIDAY. OCTOBER 16. 1891.
General w. II. r. Lee.

A tender chord in the southern heart is
touched by the death of Rooney" LEr.
He was son of RoBYRT +. LIE. and was
worthy to bear that illusirous name.
There is little need therefore 10 add that
be was upright, courageous. modest, and
dignified. He lowered above the general
.un of his felow-men. not only in massive
stature. but in those elements of character
which all the world recognizes as the attri-
butes of greatness.
His education well fitted him for scholar
iy paths or some profession Of civil life,
but he was of asoldier race and the tempta-
ton and the opportunity came, and he en-
tered the army as lieutenant and for
several years served IN that capacity
most honorably and efficiently. Then be
resigned and wen: 70 live on his mothers
White House plantation. on the Pamunkey
river. some twenty-five miles below Rich
mond. There he was passing the life OF the
typical Virginia planter of wealth when the
outbreak Of the war called him from his
happy home. He entered the Confederate
army as n captain and surrendered as
major-general. Good judgment, prompt
ness in decision and in action, aud fearless
ness and sturdiness rs fighter earned ms
promotions. which always came-we
scarcely need say without any intcrvon-
ton on the part OF his father.
Few men suffered more BY the war. His
home fell into the hands of the enemy. The
dweliing-housc became IA prey TO flames.
He was sorely wounded in battle, and
whilst at General WIcKHAM's farm and con-
fined 10 bed he fell into the hands OF a
rading party of Federal cavalry and was
hurried down TO Fortress Monroe. There
he was told off-or had an intimation that
he would be-with some other Confederate
officers TO be shot i'll case our Government
executed certain Foderals whose lives We're
supposed 10 be threatened.
Ii was at this crisis that his der brother,
CusrIs. resolved to ask the Federal authori-
ties 10 allow him to take Rooney's place.
He was Of the same rank and was unmar-
RED and in good health. Rooney, on tile
other hand. was husband and father.
and was suffering terribly.
IL is hardly probable that Rooney would
have permitted CUsTIs to take his place Ill
prison: not for "a moment would he have
entertained the idea of allowing CUsTIs to
die in his stead. But that test did not
come. The substitution was not allowed.
md in the course of time Rooney was ex-
changed, and as soon a. he could SIT in his
saddle was at the head of his brave
troopers again.
From Appomattox he returned TO the
life Of farmer. For some years he
lived at the White House. and then he
moved to Fairfax. He served "a president
Of the Virginia State Agricultural Society,
and also represented his district IN the
Virginia Senate. In 1886 he was elected to
Congress, which position he held to the
time Of his death. He was not place
seeker. He had none of the arts OF the
demagogue nor did he care to learn them.
He treated every man with courtesy and
kindness, and without doubt was
a good-hearted man. As legislator
he was very safe and useful. When
ever he spoke ii was in the language of q
scholar. and with the Difference habitual
TO a knightiy race. and he was always
able 10 present his views with ability and
force.
Both ss soldier and legislator he won
onviable distinction. and his domestic life
was beautiful. In private and public his
name was unstained.
His days were untimely ended and his
death will surprise many people but for
year at least disease had been at work
upon him. embedding his step and taking
from his face that glow of health which 1t
had ever before had.
The soldier Of so many battles could hut
meet death calmly. 1t was received as a
summons to rejoin noble father and
sanity mother and other precious ones.
Virginia can safely enshrine the name of
w. ii. +. LEE with those of the other LEES
whose good swords are rust, whose bodies
ore dust. but who have mounted 1.-The steep
where Fame's proud temple shines affair.""