San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1895-07-10
GENERAL HENRY LEE.
Honorable Mention Essay On The
Life And Service of General
Henry Lee, For Medal.

Henry Lee seldom falls to the lot
of biographer. In the lives Of
many of the worlds heroes are
some hidden faults, gross individu-
al tastes, or fragrant dishonor,
which require from the writer most
delicate handling and artistic
shading. This mans life was an
open book, the pages Of which
angels might reverently turn.
From every point Of view, as gen.
tlemar, citizen, or soldier, he COM
mapds admiration and respect.
"He touched nothing that he did
not adorn." America has no West
minister Abbey, where "storied urn
and monumental bust" proclaim
the deeds of her children, but
patriotism burns steadily and
brightly in our hearts, and today,
not a lad of ten in our public
schools but will speak with tender
pride of Washington, Nathaniel
Green and Light Horse Harry"
Lee.
Now that time has mellowed
history the whole world renders
homage to that baud Of immortals
who gave to 1t Freedom and
Equality"
Carlyle says, a man is six per
cent of what his grandfathers
were. Henry Lee then came into
this world with a glorious inheri-
tance of honor and purity. His
ancestry is traced back to the Nor
man conquest and in every walk of
life they have borne themselves
illustrious, worthy to bear the
motto which surmounts their
crest: "Non incautus futuri."
He was born January %, H56,in
Virginia, the state which has
given so much to America to be
proud of, which has sever kept
the lamp Of chivalry alight in
hearts of gold"
He was an exemplary boy, early
a student under a tutor, afterward
becoming a graduate at Princeton,
at the age of eighteen. He was
preparing himself for the practice
of the law, and intended going to
England to pursue that study
when the conflict between the Col
onies and the mother country
changed his destiny.
After the battle of Lexington,
though only nineteen years Of age,
he entered the army as captain OF
a cavalry company, which after
ward became famous. He was
especially prominent in the battles
Of Brandywine, Germantown and
Springfield. From the field of one
of these he wrote these words:
"Success is not the will Of mortals
all they can do is to deserve it,"
Words worthy to be inscribed on
the shield OF every young man 60.
Ing forth to fight in the great bat
tie of life.
Lee displayed ability beyond his
years in maintaining strict dis
cipline among his men and enforc-
ing such care OF their horses that
they were ready, alert, quick to
mount and swift to execute their
leaders, commands. The keen eye
OF Washington early noted with
appreciation the gallantry OF the
youthful Lee and his followers,
and they had the distinction of be-
ing constituted his body.guard at
the battle OF Germantown, a trust
they honored with valiant loyalty.
1t waa here he won the sobriquet
Of "Light Horse Harry" This
young Lee, like the great cavalry
soldier of the Civil War, General
Forrest, was fertile in his plans to
surprise, waylay and capture the
enemy. So obnoxious had he be.
come to the British that they often
planned his capture, and on one &C.
casion almost succeeded. On Feb
urary l, 1878, surprise was at
tempted by two hundred British
Light Horse. They surrounded a
stone house in which Lieutenant
Lindsay, Major Jameson, and Lee,
with five other men, were quarter
ed. The surprise was complete,
but Lee defended himself valiant
ly and skilfully, loudly calling,
"Fire away, men! Here comes our
infantry! We will have them ALL"
His assailants were, compelled to
retreat, disappointed and demon
allied. For this, and several other
exploits as brave, quickly succeed
ing, he was promoted to the rank
of Major in command Of a corps of
tried cavalry veterans, to which
infantry was added. He was
again promoted in 1850 for several
acts of unusual bravery, to the
rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Wash.
ington then ordered Lee and his
invincible legion to the South,
His corps consisted of only three
hundred and fifty electives. The