Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-08-21
GENERAL fITZ LEES BOOK
Private Life of His Uncle, General Robert
l.. Lee.

l.. Lee.
jeanette L. Glider in the New York
World Of Sunday)
The late General Robert II. Lee occu-
pied a unique place in the history of war
fare-he was admired and beloved by poth
friends and enemies In the South, where
he commanded the army OF the Lost
Cause, he was fairly worshipped
by his troops; in the North he
was respected and always spoken
of with affection by his old asso-
ciates who were now separated from
him by difference Of opinion. No wonder
the people Of the South pinned their faith
on General Lee--he was their best soldier
and one Of their very best friends lie
was not afraid to fight, as history proves
but he did not sacrifice his men need
lessly.
In reading the story Of his life, written
by his nephew and cavalry commanher
Fitzhugh Lee for the Messrs. Appleton
Great Commander Series i am reinlhu-
ed again OF the beautiful character OF the
man and Of the desperate ODDS against
which he and his soldiers fought.
1t is much to be regretted that Gene
raj Lee never wrote anything concern
intention to have recorded the deeds OF
his soldiers. but not TO write his per
sonal memoirs. In this book he comes
nearer TO telling his own story than AT
any other time. for his nephew has USED
his letters wherever they could be useu
in the rounding out OF this narrative
There are not many of them put they
are illustrative of the character or theH
writer.
HIS MOTHER.
of" says his biographer, he was carry
trained in the way he should go, his mo-
Their trained him. If he was always soon
as his father wrote she labored 10 hNeP
him so. If his principles were sound anu
his life a success, to her, more IMAM ~
any other, should the praise be given: ms
lovely woman. as stated, was the naush
ter OF Charles Carter, of Shirley, who re-
sided In his grand old mansion on the
hanks .of the James river, some twenty
miles below Richmond then. as now. the
seat of an open, profuse, and refined nos
pitaIity. and still in the possession OF the
Carriers"
Whatever care and affection his mother
bestowed upon him was returned IN kihd.
with filla devotion TO her comfort MS
hours out of school were given says
Fitzhugh Lee. He waited on her nursed
her when sick, drove with her, obeyed her
every WISH and this reciprocal love was
a goodly picture in old Alexandra 10 thosc
who saw mother and son in those days.
AS Robert grew in years he grew In grace
he was like the young tree whose roots
firmly imbedded in the earth. hold IL
straight from the hour il was first planted
till it develops into majestic proportions.
EDUCATION AND MARRIAGE.
When old enough 10 choose a profession
he decided for the army. one OF his broth
ers already being In the navy, ana ne
graduated at the head of his class from
West Point He was a good boy and he
grew up n good man.
Lee was naturally exposed TO an en-
gineers temptations, but was careful and
abstemious He went much into the so
cety OF ladies-always most congenial 10
him. His conversation was bright, his
wit refined and pleasant. Cement, NOR
tar, lime, curves, tangents ana stralght
professional lines disappeared then. lie
enjoyed a dress parade Of this Kind, was
happy in the drawing-room IN me eve
ming, and happy in his work on the
parapet next day. He was in love from
boyhood Fate brought him 20 the feet
of one who, by birth. education, position,
and family tradition. was btst suited
to be his life companion. Mary Gusts.
the daughter Of George Washington Parke
Custis of Arlington. and Robert r.. Lee
were married on the Both of June lSl.
only two years after he had emerged
from his Alma Mater. They had known
each other when she was child at
Arlington and he a young hoy in Alexan-
dria. some eight miles away. IL is said
she met him 10 admire when he came
back TO Alexandria on furlough from the
Military Academy. 1t was the first time
any one In that vicinity had ever seen
him In his cadet uniform. He was hand
somer than ever; straight, erect, symmet-
rical in form, with a hnely-shaped head
on a pair OF broad shoulders. He was
then % years old. and fine specimen OF
a West Point cadet on leave OF absence.
The impressions produced were Of an en-
during nature, and the officer. upon grad
uaiion. followed up the advantage gained
by the attractive cadet
His wife's father was the son CT Martha
Washington and the adopted son OF the
Father OF His Country.
NOT A PRO-SLAvERY MAN.
Although a southerner by birth and a
slave holder by inheritance. General Lee
did not believe in the institution of
slavery. Writing to his wife in 1856. just
after the publication Of President Pierce's
message. he says:
THE views OF the President on the
domestic institutions of the South are
truthfully and faithfully expressed. In
this enlightened age there are few.
believe but will acknowledge that
slavery as an institution Is a moral and
political evil In any country. II rs USE
less to expatiate on its disadvantages.
think IL, however. greater evil to
the white than to the black race. and.
while my feelings are strongly interested
In behalf OF the latter, my sympathies
are stronger for the former. The blacks