The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1898-01-18

for marking out the boundary limo between
Ohio and Michigan. A year later he was
madc first lieutenant, and in July, 1853, cap
tain Of engineers. In 1850 he was sent to
improve tho navigation Of the Mississippi at
st. Louis and to open a passage for the river
ut the Des Moincs rapids. There was danger
that tho Mississippi would cut n channel on
tho Illinois side, which you'd have proved the
death of st. Louis, commercially. Lee con-
ceivcd and executed n plan which averted
this danger.
Capt. Leo was sent to Fort Hamilton, In
New York harbor, and while there, in 1914,
was appointed one of tho board Of visitors to
tho West Point academy. Many of the letters
written to his family during those yeals have
been preserved and published. All show that
tho busy engineer was ever tho loving,
thoughtful husband and father. Page after
page was written to his children, expressing
bis laye for thnm-Gpd rcmin6inr tsam Of
their duties to each other ana to their mother.
To his boys he wrote repeatedly in these and
similar words. "You must take great care of
your kind mother and dear sisters" And
again In 1947. after tho difficulties with Mex.
leo had eliminated in n declaration OF hoxtili.
Ties and Capt. Leo was assigned to the central
army In Mexico, as chief engineer undcr
Gen. Wool, he writes to his sons: 81 shall
not feel my long separation from you, if I
find that my absence has been of no injury to
you, and that you nave both grown in good.
ness and knowledge, as well as stature. But.
an, now much j will suffer on my return if
tho reverse has occurred. You enter into all
my thoughts, in all my prayers; and on you,
IL part Will depend whether [ shall DO happy
or miserable, as you know how much l love
you. You must do all in your power to save
mo pain"
Gen. Scott noted the young officers mill.
tary genius and appointed him to q position
on his personal staff. and always asked bic
opinion in tho council, and in SCOTS auto
biography he says: II am compelled to make
special mention of Capt. r.. Il. Lee, engineer.
This officer greatly distinguished himself at
tho siege Of Vera Cruz" And at Cerro
Gordo Gen. Scott wrote: ~ am compelled
to make special mention of Capt. II. L. Lee,
engineer. This officer was indefatigable dur.
Ing these operations in reconnoissunccs as
daring as laborious, and Of the utmost value.
Nor was no less conspicuous in placing bat
tories and In conducting columns to their sta
thong lindar tho haavY a.. 20 tha ars~-E
IL Is said That wien Con. Scott was asked
what was the most daring achievement of
inc war, no said, "Lec's crossing tho Pedrigal."
Inc fedrigal IL n vast painless field of vol
canlc rock lying between C~herubusco and
ean Augustin and south of San Augustin
several miles. 1t was only passable by day
light with great peril, but Capt. Lee crossed
1t at night alone, carrying a message from
Brig. Gen. Smith to Gen. Scott. I'm Scotia
own words: "The greatest feat Of physical
ana morai courage performed by any indi-
Vldual, In my knowledge, pending tho cam
Paign." Santa Anna vas on tho right and
Valencia on the left, and the slightest devia-
uon on his part either way would have thrown
Il ulnE L "a Intn fhN l,n ,.ln - 800
had rothing to guide him on his way but the
direction Of tho wind.
Lee was wounded at Chapultepec. He was
twice promoted for his services In Mexico.
In lo47 he was breveted major for nallant
and meritorious conduct In the battle of Cerro
Sordo, and later was breveted lieutenant
oolonol Tor bravery at Contreras and Chern-
pusco. Years after Gen. Scott said: "Ieei Is
INC greatest military genius In imerica."
superintendent Mt West Point anL Flight
Ing Indians I'm Texas.
AFTER the Mexican troubles were over Col.
Leo was appointed o member Of tho board OF |
and stationed at Sellers Point, near
baltimore lie was busy with tho construc.
tion OF fort Calhoun until made superintend-
CIV Oh the military academy at West Point in
1907, where no remained three years. During |
bis administration tho course of study wos
extended to five years, and numerous inn
provements were made In the academy and
It's surroundings. It was he who built Che
une riding hall, made tho good road. tho
vhnrf and nthor irnnrnp~.aAAt- -
In 1885, when several now cavairyk 4.
% pts wore organized, Col Lee was cot ifs.
M led ~liontenant ooioael OF the Second Xay.
~ which Was e~omnnniedb by Col. Abort
'ldp55 Jebost9n IS fsiao, who