The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-09-06
GEN. LEE AND the CHILDREN.
He Was True Friend 0f the HnAh-
ful Little Ones.

He Was True Friend Of the cnAh-
ful Little Ones.
Richmond Dispatch.
An article recently published in the Dis
patch, touching General Lees attention to
children. reminds me of several incidents
illustrating the same beautiful trait in his
character.
The little daughter of General w. II. Ste
yens. his chief Of artillery, was favorite
with the great commander. Among the
| courtesies which she could not fail to
cherish In subsequent years was letter
inclosing a button from his military coat.
AT the time 1t was written he was in Pc
tersburg and she in Richmond. During
the long, weary months. when he was
oppressed with the defense of the line
between the two cities. the failure Of
which meant the fall OF tho Confederacy.
he used leisure moment to write the
letter, enclose the button and commit all
to large envelope sealed. stamped and
directed with the neatness and attention
to details which. were characteristic of
the gentleman who never did anything in
a slovenly manner. In all the letters
from his pen which have ever seen there
was remarkable breyity, and some strik-
ing turns OF language, which caught the
attention by Its felicitous expression. The
button, he said, was taken from 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
court house to Richmond, | had the
pleasure of meeting General Lee on the
To. yFnt aI, n
louisville. He and General f. H. Smith,
OF tho Virginia Military institute, were
sitting on thu same seat. The mo1esty
OF General Lee impressed me deeply, and
the care with which he removed a glove
which fitted tightly before he shook hands
win me denoted his genuine politeness
He and General Smith asked me some Ques-
ions about lady under my care. in or
der to settle a difference OF opinion be-
tween them. General Smith having mis-
taken her for another lady. Presently
General Lee said to General Smith: Cen
erai smith, have you another apple in
your pocket?" General Smith found that
no had one left Then" said General
Lee Il must tell you that intend to give
II away gave the one you first gave
me to little girl, and now | want 10
send this to her little brother, who, she
telis me, Is at home" He then, with the
utmost courtesy. turned to tho little girl
VINO was sitting behind him, and. hand
ing 1t to her. said: Il want you to take
THIS to your little brother with my compli-
ments. imagine that those apples were
PUT into glass case, and remain to this
dag In some Southern home
During General Lees residence In Lex
lhgton. as president of Washington and
Lee university. he rode alone on horse
pack to the Peaks of Otter, passing
through the neghborhood in which [ then
resided. near the Natural Bridge. He
crossed James river at Skidmores ferry.
eight miles below Buchanan, and followed
the shade road. which, passing through n
narrow defile. crosses jennings creek NOT
less than thirty five times in the eight or
ten miles that lie between the river end
the foot of the mountain. which is three
or Tour miles from the base of the eaks.
On the road he was seen by little Girl
now a grown lady who recognized him
from the pictures of him which she had
seen. She was appalled, by the vision of
the great man. and ran into the bushes.
lie persuaded her to come forth from
her hiding place. and with gentle aud
gracious words encouraged her AID talked |
with her. leaving lasting impression Upon
her mind that he was very humble gttat |
man and very true friend to basLful