Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1894-02-22

hugh Lee, were major generals, while
the youngest Robert E., who is more
like his father than any of the others
in looks, was in the artillery.
At Antietam, just after the artillery
had been sharply engaged, the Rock
bridge (Va.) battery was standing
waiting orders. Gen. Lee rode by and
stopped a moment. A dirty-faced
driver about seventeen said to him:
General, are you going to put us in
again?"
Think of such a question from such
source to the general of an army, es-
pecially when that generals name was
Lee.
eyes, my boy" the stately officer
kindly answered, II have TO put you in
again.
But what is your name? Your face
seems familiar, somehow"
II don't wonder you didn't know me,
sir" laughed the lad, "Im so dirty,
but I'm Bob"
1t was the generals youngest son,
whom he had thought safe at the Vir-
GINA military institute. God bless
you, my son; do your duty!" and the
general rode on.
Nothing ever so panied Lee as to
leave the old army. He was on leave
early in 1861 and lived at Arlington.
Almost daily he rode over to Washing
ton. He was always in immaculate
riding costume and rode the best horses
that could be bought. eyes, am some
what extravaganza in the matter of
horses" said Col. Lee, with gravity, to
friend, "but a horse is the noblest
work of God after humanity, do not
consider it an extravaganza to own the
very best horses your means will per-
nit"
1t was charming spring day, the
27th of April, in 1861, when Col. Lee
severed his connection with the United
States army, And here it may be said
that not since Christ was taken up on
the mountain to be tempted of Satan
has any man been so tempted as was
r. L. Lee. 1t was known that Gen. Scott
would soon retire Old Francis P.
Blair told friend that he went to Il.
E. Lee in person and told him he could
have command of the United States
army within the year 1861.
On one side were the highest honors
of the service he had been bred in. A
great war was coming on. With it
might arrive opportunities for renown
and distinction that We're beyond am
bition's widest dreams. On the other
side was-what? A future that was
uncertain, and beyond that God alone
could see. But Lee never hesitated or
faltered where he thought he was
right. And so on that sunny day, 27th
of April, as he rode along the way he
would ride no more, no man could see
ought in his firm, impassive face that
indicated the storm in his mind and
heart. He went to the war depart
ment. Lieut.. Col. f. D. Townsend, af-
terward adjutant general, and Maj. w.
A. Nichols were on duty.
81 wish to see Gen. Scott" said
Lee, after exchanging the usual salu-
tations.
So one of them summoned him. He
remained with the venerable Virgini-
an and soldier almost two uninter-
rupted hours. What a valuable con-
tribution to the history of the period
a full report of that conversation would
bel Finally Lee went out, very pale
and evidently under deep emotion"
says an officer who happened to sea him
MS he left the venerable friend he was
never to see more.
OF all the episodes of war, there is
none fuller of pathos than this. AS he
walked away Lee felt that he was
leaving all his hopes behind him. 1t
happened that he met Ben Hardin
Helm, confederate general who died
] at Chickamauga, at the threshold Of the
val. Department. Aelp. had RssB. .
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