Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-08-22
General Lee and the Children.
Ior Id DlspaLchD


An article recently published I'm the
Dispatch, touching General Lees atten-
ton to children, reminds me Of several
incidents illustrating the same beauti-
full trait in his character.
The little daughter Of General w II.
Stevens, his chief Of artillery. was a
favorite with the great commander
Among the cOurtcsies which she could
not fail to cherish in subsequent years
was a letter enclosing a button from
his military coat At the time 1t was
written he was in Petersburg and she
in Richmond. During the long. weary
months. when he was oppressed with
the defence Of the line between the two
cities. the failure of which meant the
fan Of the COnfcderacy, he used a lei
sure moment 10 write the letter, en-
close the button, and commit all TO Il
large envelope. sealed, stamped, and d.
rected with the neatness and attention
to details which were characteristic Of
the gentleman who never did anything
I'm a slovenly manner. In ali the let
ters from his pen which l have ever
seen there was a remarkable brevlty
and some striking turns OF language
which caught the attention by its felici-
tous expression. The button, he said,
was taken from a coat which he had
worn during the principal battles Of the
Army Of Northern Virginia. and like its
owner, was the worse for wear
In January, 1868. returning from
Orange Courthouse to Richmond, ] had
the pleasure Of meeting General Lee on
the train to which / was transferred at
Gordonsville. He and General +. II.
Smith, OF the Virginia Military Institute,
were sitting on the same seat. The
modesty of General Lee impressed me
deeply and the care with which he
removed a glove which fitted tightly
before he shook hands with me denoted
his genuine politeness. He and General
Smith asked me some questions about
q lady under my care, in order 10 settle
a difference of opinion between them,
General Smith having mistaken her for
another lady. Presently General Leo
said 10 General Smith: General Smith,
have you another apple in your pocket"
General Smith found that he had one
left. Then. said General Lee. ! must
tell you that / intend TO give II away. L
gave the one you first gave me 10
little girl. and now 1 want TO send this
TO her little brother who she tells me,
is at home. lie then, with the utmost
courtesy. turned TO the little girl. who
was sitting behind him, and handing it
to her. SAID: 81 want YOU to take this 10
your little brother with my compli-
were nut into q glass case, and remain
TO this day in some southern home.
During General Lees residence I'm Lex
ington. as president Of Washington and
Lee University, he rode alone on horse
back to the Peaks OF Otter, passing
through the neighborhood in which 1
then resided, near the Natural Bridge.
He crossed James river at Skidmors's
Ferry. eight miles below Buchanan. and
followed the shade road. which passing
through a narrow 'dehle. crosses Jen-
nings's creek not less than thirty-two
times In eight or ten miles that lie
between the river and the foot Of the
mountain, which is three or four miles
from the base Of the Peaks. On this
road he was seen by little girl, now
grown lady. who recognized him from
the pictures Of him which she had seen.
she was appalled, by tho vision Of the
great man, and ran into the bushes.
He persuaded her 10 come forth from
her hiding place, and with gentle and
gracious words encouraged her and
talked with her, leaving a lasting i'm
preston upon her mind that he was
very humble great man. and a very
true friend 10 bashful children.
Buchanan, Va. i. Is. L.