The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-01-21
HONOR TO R0BEhl E. LEE
uEy7ORTfL SERrICLS SUNDAY
AT UsTON-sTtTTON CHJRCH.
Splcadid Grafton by Rcv. George {. van
dersiice--Le Pickett Camp anu INC
soldiers Home Out I'm Force.

Notwithstanding the incemenoy OF the
weather Sunday night an immense au-
dienco gathered at Union-stauon church.
composed OF LARGE representations from
Lee Camp. Pickett Camp. and the SOL
dicrs' Home. &. v, so that the large
church was flied to its utmost capacity
10 hear the sermon delivered by request
of Lee Camp. c. v, by the pastor Rev
George c. Nandersnce. ID. d.
lie selected as his text, Acts KILL so
-David having served his generation by
the will Of God. fen on sleep. and was
gathered to his fathers"
lie gave a brief outline OF the Ire OF
David from his being Amounted King
o. Israel 10y Samuel. the prophet, 10 ms
accession 10 the throne after the death
OF King Saul. referring especially to ms
life as a soldier. narrating the connect
with the giant OF Gath, and his many
conflicts with the enemies OF israel
drawing lessons and applying them TO tie
present occasion and subject
HISTORY or LEE.
Robert Edward Lee was born January
=. iN0s lie was a truthful. KIND. oDedieh''
AMI gentle boy, especially devoted 10 ms
mother. who said he was DON son anu
daughter 10 herr" his father died when ne
was six years old. entered West POM u
1873 and graduated near the head OF ms
class in tSq and was assigned to the
engincering corps. ina which he took great
delight.
His educational advantages won the
same a. that OF an Of the most prominent
general la both armies in our late war
Many 70 through the course OF train
sng in educational institutions as lhe
blind and only see what they hear. not
90 with Lee. he learned. The training
that induces thoughtful investigation is
best. not mere reliance on memory.
David's training was In the nclcs-
sheep as his companions. but God as MS
counsellor The lion and bear, the
enemies that fell under his youthful but
powerful arm. that prepared him TO sue
cessfully contend with the giant, and
say. "a bow OF steel hath been broken
10y my arm.
The war with Mexico gave Lee an OBJ
portunty 10 put TO practical use what
he had learned at West Point lie dis
played great military skill, and was high
~ cofnpnmontcd by General Scott, ana
several times brcvotted for gallantry
Dark clouds were lowering over MS
country that greatly distressed him. but
when the path Of duty was clearly dis
cerned he hesitated not. Lee. the colonel
OF cavalry. was. at General SCOtts sug-
gestion. rendered by President Lincoln,
through Mr.. Frances Preston Blair. the
command of the United States army. Viz
ginia had not then seeded, but his reply
was. Il cannot draw my sword against
the Southern States" and at once ten
dered his resignation i'm "A letter TO Cen
eral Scott. that did credit to his heart
and reflected honor on MS old com
nander.
ELECTED MAJOR-GENERAL.
After Virginia seeded the convention
Of Virginia unanimously elected him
major-general. and appointed him COM
mander of Nirginia's forces. lie was
publicly welcomed TO the convention, ana
Mr. Janney MADE a speech or rare elo-
quence in comforting the honor upon him.
Lees reply, while modest, foreshadowed
his recognition of the great responsibility
imposed upon him. lie realized more full
ly than any one else the great task i'm
posed upon him. The West Virginia cam
paign was not q success, but when Cen
eral Joseph T.. Johnston was wounded
at Richmond, and he assumed command
of the Confederate forces. TO which he
was transferred, after the Confederate
Congress assembled in Richmond. he
achieved succession Of victories from
Seven Pines TO Harrison's Landing, that
once fixed his reputation and arrested the
attention of the whole South. This army
was composed Of the best blood of the
South and of as fine soldiers as ever
marched 10 battle--men in the ranks COM
petent TO command regiments, brigades,
or even divisions; and 20 which some OF
them was afterwards promoted. But the
brightest part Of his life shone forth az
ter the eclipse.
TOOK THE BLAME.
He took all the blame that others should
have borne, and at Appomattox could
say: Men, we have fought through the
war together: l have done my best for
you, my heart is too full TO say more. -
Traveller" bore him TO Richmond where
he received an ovation more like a corr
queror than a parOled prisoner of war.
Declining many lucrative positions that
offered large salaries, he retired 10 a
small farm In Powhatau county where
the trustees Of Washington College found
him and rendered him 1t presidency, at a
salary OF 1880, which he accepted, and
on October 2. 1865. was quietly inaugural
ed and he devoted all of his great powers
in training the young men that in large
numbers were gathered into its halls
His administration was eminently sue
cessful. and Washington and Lee Univer-
sity stands as an abiding monument 10
two Of Americas greatest warriors.
DEATH OF LEE.
September 2S, 1870. he was taken i'll. and
after lingering until October 18th. died,
like Jackson. who said: Tell A. p. Hill
10 prepare for action Tell Hill TO come
up" He was buried October 18th In The
area Of the chapel in a brick vault pre-
pared for the purpose.
Or. w. y. Pendleton, his me-lonf
friand and chief Of artillery. conducted
the services, which were of the most
solemn and impressive character. Tit
old veterans We're the guard OF honor,
while Traveller" riderless. followed thu
hearse. led by two old soldiers. A simple
slab over the vault is inscribed:
Robert Edward Lee
Born January 10, 1897,
Died October 70, 1870.
Let ms learn some lesson further from
his life that ought 10 impress his fol
lowers and be a legacy TO future genera
lions.
There Is higher law than desires OF
inclination, or even conscience; IL rs con
ception of duty, whether II accords wit
judgment or not"
man is what God, his country. hi!
family. and self make him: modified b!
surrounding circumstances and times
Ills duty to God first, his country sec
ond. his family third. and self last.
In conclusion, comrades. our old CAP
tain Is gone. AS We point TO his Chris
Iian character and devotion TO dutV a