The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-03-14

anu Important duties. he rendered most
most highly cstoembed by his chief and
br those who knew the character and
as confidential messenger between thu
president and generals in the field espe-
, e,iaAy y, his father; and performed oths. du-
Curling real atdnty and large attainmcns
General 4. p. Leo WINS very anxious to
nave him an the field as hse chef OF star
or chief OF engineers. and Colonel Custls
Lee was also ANXIOUS from the first to be
m iield service bn. they Yielded 70 the
hon that he could not spare HIM from his
But finally the president saw that Colo
mel Lees scrvS>es were greatly needed to
take the place of some OF the gallant gen-
erals who had been KILLED or disabled by
wounds, and he himself proposed TO pro-
mote him and send him to the field.
WHAT DAVIS THOUGHT OF HIM.
The gallant General John Echols, who
had been IN command In Southwest V!r-
Enio and the valley and felt impelled to
ask 10 be relieved of that command on ac-
count OF fading health. related this Incl
dent: He called on President Davis and
tried to impress upon him the Importance
or sending an able man TO commspo that
department. The president acceda TO his
H MONS. and after discussing the matter
man for the position .than Gusts Leo of
my stan. lie would Ill 1t admirably. And
ties as n soldier. j will say that whou at
one time was thinking of sending Cen
eral X. IL. Lee to command the Western
| army thought OF CustLs Lee as his Sue
cessor In command OF the Army of North.
| ern Virg MIA.
You 20 up and see General Leo Tell
| MN what say, ana that u he VIII order
Gusts 10 that department 1 will promote
| nun 10 whatever rank may be necessary"
~ General Echols said that he went up to
with General Leo eo"s state, ed' bia vnw vy' Sns
| delivered President DAVIS message, but
that all he could get out of the old chlef
opinion wlacn the president has OF custls
| Lee and hope that ~ he had opportun-
~ he would prove himself, in some degree
| at least worthy of that good opnion. BUT
| nc is an untried man IN the Held. Mr..
Davis. very much against his wishes and
my own. mas Kept MIN on his sielfr and
what he could do with an army in the
| field. | can not take an untred man and
promote him over the heads of my veteran
| generals. especially when that man Is my
own son. Mr.. Davis can do as ne pleases,
| bu. can not he n party to it,"
A short time afterward MIR Davis wish.
| ed to promote him to be- brgadicr general
and 10 command tho defenses around
J Richmond. Colonel Lee begged OF on the
ground that he did not wish promotion
but SAID that he would he glad 10 serve in
the field in a subordinate capacity.
=. lie was finally persuaded IN. command
the local brigade for city defense, stiil
retaining his position on the presidents
| stan, and later was, against his protest,
made major general and put IN command
| of division north of the James. lie
| handled his command well and Fem
| dcred such important service In these po-
| s.tons ithat he won VIDE reputation, and
| a distinguished soldier said in my pres
encc not long after the close OF the war;
| II regard Cuetis Lee as having been the
coming man OF the army at the close
| have shown u to the world"
The following unpublished letters are so
significant, are 80 characteristic and are
| so creditah1e to all parties concerned that
make no apology for giving them for
the FIRST time to the public:
FROM FATHER TO SON.
Camp Orange County. March %. 1851
received tonight. my dear son your let
ter OF the 25th. returning Colonel Stevens.
The recommendation OF you to succeed
Colonel Elzey ia highly complimentary.
No one can predict with certainty with
what SUCCESS You would operate, but /
think you will do as well as those at least
VINO have preceded you.
see no reason why You should not DO
successful. You have intelligence. aner-
gy. strength and the independence of tho
country at heart. The time IL comtng-.n-
deed. has conie-when every one must put
out their strength. They can not consult
their feelings or individual opinions where
to serve. but must take those positions
be OF most value, II you can be of moro
service On commanding the troops around
klchnlond than IN your present position. ]
think you ought TO accept.
Tho prospect is now stronger than a
week since that the struggle In Virginia
for Richmond will be continued. Grant Is
now with the army OF the Potomac. The
impression In thai army Is thai he viii
operate II. burnside Is collecting an army
at Annapolis, It win probably bc thrown
tons that more troops Will be sent TO the
valley oil the Shenandoah. II Is said they
have commenced 70 rebuild The railroad
Everything at this time Is suggestive OF
another attempt on Richmond. II NAV le
intended to mislead US, but Il must not be
neglected. The troops Ground Richmond
may have an important part to play.
They should be well prepared and well
commanded | would rather have you
hope therefore, you will decide wisely.
But II you Do not accept the position. |
to You. connected with the former propo-
sitlon for you to command In the valley,
1t IA evident that the president thinks your
services in the field are desirable. You
can. therefore, signify Your desire for ii In
some other capacty than that suggested.
II is necessary that the corps, OF engineers
lied and strengthened. l also want a
proper chief.
II you do not take the service now of
|
gineer of this army. | will apply for YOU.
II you do not take II must get some one
else. ! never bad any conversation with
the president as to Tho rank the chief
would hold. and. therefore. can not speak
on that point ] would prefer 70 have, a
general officer on many accounts. az he
could take command OF troops ting
| under him.
There will he an engineer regiment un-
dor Colonel Talcott. several compa MES OF
plcneors. under charge OF engineer Off
GERS, engineer officers with the STAFF OF
the army. etc, ana think 1t would form,
n proper commend for brigadier general.
You would be of great comfort and assist
ance TO me as chief of STAFF. but I think
| IL probable the position Of chief OF en-
| girecrs would be more agreeable TO you,
You refuse command because you have no
experience In the field. / appreciate the
motives.
| Put until you come In the field YOU
| never will gain experience. l think now Is
the time for Won to take the Geld in some
toapacity. assure you every one that has
| cpnacity will be much ncsled.
If Grant operates the army IN virginia,
| nr r,Ore Anps Unless we can take the