The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-17

clreral Fitz. is a son OF Captain Lee,
Sormcrlv ia the United States navy. and
nephew OF the General-commanding
r. T.. Lee.
lie was a contemporary OF Stuart; like
,be latter he graduated from the Military
Academy at West Point. became a Lieu
tenant OF the regular cavalry Of the
United states. and spent the larger part
81 his service in continuous fights against
ne Wild tribes OF the Indian frontier.
he also was seriously injured by a bow
shof. the arrow OF which penetrated his
breast 20 the right lung. Fortunately II
eouId be removed without diff
Guilty. and no serious harm remained for
the Young officer from that painful wound
when the war broke out he obtained his
discharge. and entered the First Virginia
REGIMENT Cavalry. whose commander ne
hsrame after Stuart had been appointed
RrIcadier-General
Fz Lee was OF short, stout stature,
rather inclined 10 zen bon pointt' but an
excellent horseman. He had fresh
e1anteuancc from which an extremely
heavy. FUN beard reached far down his
h-rsst lie had an unusually cheerful dis
r.stion and indestructible humour; he was
Unknown in the whole army, and the
crates, favorite with his men.
De was a courageous. very adroit and
nr.rr leader. one Of Stuarts pillars,
Uto after the organization Of the cavalry
corps. commanded one Of its divisions.
Flz Lee was one OF my first acduaint-
erces ia the army Of the Confederate
states on May 90 1862. after ridlng
around for several hours vainly looking
for Stuarts' whereabouts, 1 came across
the First Regiment Cavalry, commanded
ty him. Just before dark at the breaking
loose OF a heavy thunderstorm.
vas very cordially received by Lee,
who was then Colonel, and kindly invited
10 spend the night IN his spacious tent.
accepted his invitation so much more
readily as the rain at that time began
90 pour down in torrents.
A number Of officers OF the regiment
had Just gathered around him. ready TO
partake OF a splendid supper the greatest
attraction Of which were fresh turtle eggs
and which was made still more enjoya-
Die hy frequent imbibing. one Of the
Younger officers subsequently played mer-
vs. tunes on the banjo accompanied by
Jolly soldier songs. Notwithstanding the
ircessant thunder and the rain, which
continually came down on the sides OF
our tent
r-pon the suggestion Of the colonel,
was 10 accompany his regiment, which
had been ordered TO advance TO the front
through the city OF Richmond the next
morning and I'm that manner 10 have the
best opportunity TO find the restless Stu
art whom 1 had so eagerly looked for
for some time.
During the night the thunderstorm had
passed away and in the morning when l
was awakened by the sounding OF the
reveille the sun once more sent down
from the blue skies its golden rays in
the usual splendor.
Fitz Lees regiment at that time was
so horses strong. and my heart leaped
for 10Y when / saw that splendid troop
drawn up In marching order. The horses
were the property Of the men, who were
nearly all the sons Of well-to-do Virginia
farmers. They were without exception
noble and well-kept animals, the superb
ors of which / have never seen together
in such numbers. The men were
chiefly " strong and sinewy stature, and
sat I'm the saddle in an easy and elegant
manner, showing at a glance that from
their early youth they had been used 10
horseback riding.
With such material the most perfect
perfCrmances could be accomplished. and
MS was fully proven by the First Reg
inent Cavalry. for I'm the many combats
phirh Il took part in, IL always covered
itself with glory.
After the war the General turned his
attention TO politics and was elected gov
ernor by grateful Virginia, which import
amt and influential position he held with
ability and success for several years
In 1854 when / again visited the south
en- States. General Lee was not wanting
among the many comrades and old caval-
-y men from Stuarts corps, who rushed
forward 10 welcome me. / spent many
a delightful hour with him, and emptied
many a glass with him. ! found that ne
had grown older but little during the two
decades Of our separation, but his charm
ing humour flowed just as foridly and
freely as twenty years before.
General Wsde Hampton.
General Wade Hampton was born in the
State Of South Carolina, where, as in the |
State of Mississippi, he owned large |
plantations.
he had a tall and powerful figure. an |
Intelligent and handsome countenance, !
penetrating and sparkling eyes. dark hair |
and mustache and whiskers trimmed |
English fashion. lie had an extremely /
stately appearance, and was the gen
uine type OF southern grand seignieur
lie was an excellent hOrseman and always |
kept the most beautiful horses.
Being OF a quiet and stately behavior, |
and of kind but very reserved DISPOSE
ton. he vastly cOntrasted with Stuart,
whose unrestrained. extremely lively, and |
somewhat loud manner ne never was much |
In sympathy with. His immense wealth /
enabled him TO make great sacrifices In
preparing FOR the war.
At the beginning Of the war, he equip /
ped a battery and cavalry troop clamp |
toms Legion out of his own means and
placed them at the disposal Of his native
State Although not a soldier by pro-
fession, he possessed some extraordinary
military qualities. and a decided ability |
of leading large masses; as he did not
have Stuart's genius as commander Of
cavalry, though he was well qualified 10
become an excellent cavalry officer.
From his early youth he was a passion
ate and famous huntsman; early in life.
he hardened his body, sharpened his eye
sight and improved all his senses. In !
the almost inaccessible forests along the
Mississippi he pursued the game with
the utmost perseverance and finally over
powered Il by surprise; in a like manner |
during the war he managed 10 steal
upon the enemy. 10 deceive him, and to
make himself formidable by his daring
calm and considerate, possessed with
lam admirable courage in battle, he was
su excellent organizer before and after
be hghl and cared in the most indetat-
gable manner for his men, who relied
ln him implicitly and absolutely contd-
I'd I'm him.
Hampton showed a high degree Of
friendship for me, ne placed full conf
ience in my military ability, and we only
Uttered IN our judgment Of Stuart, whom
n 10Y estimation. he did not place nearly
high enough.
lie possessed a rare calmness and cool