Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1894-09-19
Sjireinia fire. gress.
ROBERT L. LEE.
Interesting Ne,r anecdotes and PEN
Pictures Giren.


Interesting Ner anecdotes and rem
Pictures Giren.
Yesterdays New York World has two
column review of Gen. Fitzhugh Lees life
of Gen. Robert E. Lee. The review IS by
Jeanette L. Glider, who has seen the adj
vance sheets of the work. The following
are some extracts from the work
PEN PORTRAIT.
Fitzhugh Lee describes the scene when
Gen. R. E. Lee was invited to appear before
the Confederate Convention and accept his
appointment publicly;
Leaning on the arm of Mr.. Marmaduke
Johnson. of Richmond, chairman of the
committee. Gen. Lee entered the hail.
Every spectator admired the personal APP
pearance of the man, his dignifed figure,
his air of self composure, his strength of fea-
ture in which shone the steady animation
of consciousness of power, purpose and
decision. He was in the full and hardy
flush of ripe years and vigorous health
His form was tall, its constituents well knit
together; his head well shaped and square
ly built, gave indication of powerful in
tellect. The face not yet interlined by age
still, remarkable for its personal beauty, was
lighted up by eyes black in the shade, but
brown in the full light, clear, benignant, but
with deep recess of light, a curtained fire
in them that blazed in moments of excite
ment: the countenauce and natural express
sion were gentle and benevolent. yetstriking
the beholder as masking an iron will. His
manners were at once grave and kindly,
without gayety or abandon. He was also
without any affectation of dignity. Such
is the man whose stately figure in the Capt.
tol at Richmond brought to mind the old
race of Virginia, and who was thereafter to
win reputation, not only as the first COM
mander but also as a perfect and beautiful
model of manhood"
A MONTH AFTER SUMTER.
Even then it was thought by some that
the war might be averted, but not by Gen.
Lee. who wrote to his wife May Is, 1861
sg'Do not put faith in rumors Of adjust
ment. | see no prospect for it. It cannot
be while passions on both sides are so infu-
rated. Make your plans for several years
of war. If Virginia is invaded, which APP
pears to be designed, the main routes
through the country will, in all probability,
be infested and passage interrupted. /
agree with you in thinking that the inAam-
matory articles in the papers do us much
harm. object particularly to those in the
Southern papers, as wish them to take a
firm, digniied course, free from bravado
and Boosting. The times are indeed Calam-
itous The brightness of Gods cOuntenance
seems turned from US and his mercy stop
ped in his blissfu current. 1t may not al
WAYS be so dark, and He may in time par
don our sins and take us under his protec,
ton. Tell Gusts (his son, then lieutenant
l D
his own Judgment, reason and conscience as
to the course he may take. ! do not wish
him to be guided by my wishes or example.
If have done wrong let him DO better
The present is mOmentous question which
every man must settle for himself and upon
principle Our good Bishop Meade has
lust come in to see me. He opens the con-
vention tomorrow, and, l understood him
to say, would preach his fftieth anniversary
sermon. God bless and guard you"
HOME KNIT SOCKS.
One cannot read this story without ad-
miring the pluck and devotion of the South
ern army. An army more destitute Of
equipment never marched to war. When
Gen. Lees son Robert, then student at
Washington and Lee University, joined the
army he wrote to his father for n sword and
sash. After much difficulty sword was
got for him, but the sash he was obliged TO
forego. Mr.. Lee and her daughters busted
themselves knitting socks, which the Gen
era Of the army distributed to his soldiers.
On March Is, 1864, he wrote q arrived
safely Yesterday" He had been on short
visit to Richmond There were sixty-seven
pairs of socks in the bag | brought up in
stead of sixtyfour as you supposed, found
here three dozen pairs of beautiful white
yarn socks. sent over by our kind cousin
Julia and sweet little Carrie, making 1913
pairs all Of which ! sent to the Stonewall
brigade One dozen of the Stuart socks had
double heels. Can you not teach Mildred
This daughter) that stitch? They sent me
also some hams which l had rather they
had eaten. pray that you may he pre'eFy-
ed and relieved from all your troubles, and
that we may be again united here on earth
and forever in heaven"
AN INCIDENT IL CAMP
"Aud on December 80, 1864, he tells her
The Lyons furs and fur robe have arrived
safely, but I can learn nothing of the saddle