The times., 1898-04-29
GEN. FITZHUGH LEE.
Knows Nothing of His Appointment {
to Lead Virginia Volunteers

With the appearance of a man whose
mind was disturbed by momentous bust
ness. Gen Fitzhugh Lee came to the
city at 4:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon.
Jumping into brougham which await
ed him at the Pennsylvania depot. he was
Immediately driven to the Shoreham.
Before he could retire to his apartments
he was beseged by a corps of newspaper
men whom he strenuously refused to dis
cuss anything which appertained to his
sudden departure from Richmond. He
was willing to talk of the grand ovation
accorded him upon his arrival at Rich
mond- and of the happiness he naturally
felt upon rejoining his family after a life
of uncertainty in Havana, but when Of
fetal affairs were mentioned he politely
refrained from further conversation.
why, sir he protested. 81 don't know
anything of interest to the public and
furthermore | have not yet been relieved
of my position of Consul-General to Ha-
vana. For that reason, especially, | mus,
decline to talk.
Ii was suggested his business in WASH
ngton was with regard to his prospective
appointment as Major-General of Vir-
ginia volunteers, according to official ad-
vices.
mo. sir. That is not true" he expostu-
lated-with much yehemence. Il came
here on business of a personal nature
Going to the front would not be a per
sonal business. No. / haven't been called
here by the War Department. News
papers say so? Well / don't care what
they say. | won't talk about it. ] don't
va nj tn ha diSrpnrtaoi1S hut ]
ernment .employe, and the most stringent
rules prohibit any discussion of official
matters
Gen. Lee was about to take q short
route to his apartment when the mention
of the bombardment of Matauzas caused
him to hesitate.
Yes, I've read about the battle he re-
sumed, interestedly, "and from the man
ner in which / summed up the whole
thing it seems that the Spaniards got the
worst of it. Yes, I've been there but il
was only little jaunt with some friends
1t is quite city and the batteries of the
! fort are good after the fashion of al
Spanish fortifica tions in Cuba. But any
of our gtnboatS can weigh anchor mile
or so out in the bay and knock over al
the batteries of the Spanish forts 1t was
a good battle for the beginning and i
Gen. Lee was interrupted by one of the
/ there was any truth in the statement that
/ he had been summoned to Washington tC
4 he consulted by officials of the War De
I partment concerning some of the Span
/ ish Notifications in Cuba and the best
way in which to make an assault upon
! them.
Now you're getting back to matters
/ of which l cannot speak" he replied, ''so
! must ask TO to be excused from furthe!
/ conversation, whereupon he withdrew
/ and repaired to his room.
! Gen. Lee seemed to be in unusually ex-
uberant spirits. His eyes reflected the
/ brightness so typical of the Southern sol
/ dier, and in his bearing was apparent
/ that activity of mind and body which dis
! unguiShed his official acts al Havana
1t IS asserted that Gen. Lees presence
! in the capital is due to certain officials OF
| the War Department who were desirous
+ of consulting him upon some proposed
movements of troops preparatory to an
attempt to occupy Cuba. His opinion. but
more especially any Information he could
! furnish the department concerning Span
] ish fortifications in Cuba, is said to have
/ been the cause Of his sudden departure
| from Richmond
/ 1t is also given out that Gen. Lees
name will go TO the Senate on next Mon.
( day for his appointment as commander
Of the Virginia volunteers Before thf:
I is done however it is said Gen. I.et
wishes to be officially relieved of his office
as Consul General to Cuba.