The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-01-23

All H. a. EAOSN III dLu dD-
propriate that we who bear him ever
living In our hearts, who think and
speak of him as still moving among US,
give him our tribute on the an
piversarY of that day when h angels
OF the Lord sang with joy that the child
was born into the world. And well
might they. those holy ones, rejoice, for
since the day or the stainless Bayard
there a never been a manlier man, a
ltruer gentleman, a nobler soldier, a
greater captain, a purer Christian than
our peerless Lee.
II nave been requested not to make
you a formal address. for to that my
not have permitted me to consent, but
simply TO g1ther together and read you
some slight account Of hig life and Of
1.-THE many words of praise and affection
THAT have been written about him.
Born on the 18th of January, 1907, he
tentered West Point as a cadet in 1926
in his 18th year n graduated in
the academy. Joining the engineer
corps, the first few years of his service
were spent in work upon our ~seacoas
ldefenses. The first opportunity that
came to the young lieutenant of engi-
neers to show the genius of his mind
was in 1887, when he was ordered to
st. Louis, whose river front was threat
ftllCA Will llIiIlllIICllI LII Il NlSdS-
ter by the DETECTION of the main cur
of the Mississippi. How, needless
alike of public clamor and hostile riti-
icism, he calmly and quietly pursued to
entire success the plan mapped out by
him for the salvation of that city we
need only pause to mention.
THE breaking out of the war with
Mexico found him a captain. Early in
1S47 he joined the force under Scott
which was to operate against Vera
Cruz and the City Of Mexico. Favor
ably mentioned by Scott in his report
of the seige and capture of Vera Cruz,
he was again specially mentioned for
distinguished services at Cerra Gordo.
1t is a il that to him was largely, if
mainly, due the capture of Con
ltreraS and Churubusco. Speaking of
one of his exploits during this campaign
General Scott said it was the greatest
feat of physical ard moral courage per-
formed by any individual to my knowl-
edge pending the campaign High
words of praise were these, for there
were many gallant and glorious SOL
ldiers in that army of America and
many brilliant deeds lone by them. But
to speak of all his gallant deeds and
distinguished services would be to
write the history of Scott's march from
the sea to Mexico. There was hardly a
dispatch from him in which Lee was
not honorably mentioned. Brevetted
major for gallant conduct at Cerro Cor
lieutenant colonel for distinguished
services at Contreras and Churubusco
and colonel after Chapultepec, all these
distinctions were but the just due of
his skill and courage. President Davis,
himself a distinguished soldier of that
war, said: He came from Mexico
crowned with honors, covered by bre-
Vets n recognized, young as he was,
as one of the ablest of his country'S
soldiers
TRUE TO HOME AND NATIVE
STATE.
THE breaking out of the war be-
tween the states found him colonel Of
the famous second cavalry. There can
be no doubt that if he had retained his
commission he would soon nave been
lin supreme of the federal ar
mics. But with him there was no ques-
ton of honors or glory or position or
Reward or wealth, but the simple one
of duty. And impelled by what he con-
isidered his duty, he determined to cast
Jim his lot with his own people. Steadily
Iputting aside the brilliant offers and
promises made him on behalf of the
Federal authorities, he sent in his res
Iignation Inc offered his services to
his native state. 1t was not, however,
until June l, 1862, that he was placed
iii COIIliIldllu VI IHd dTI1y, l1S ATIQy
of Northern Virginia. which was so
soon to become under his leadership
famous throughout the world. The Ar
my of the Potomac, recruited, reOrga-
nized, disciplined and beaten into SOL
oilers by the genius of Mcclellan, was
fighting it's way towards Richmond up
the Peninsula, some 100, 900 strong.
johnson was in command of the Con-
lfederate force of So, 900. In the battle
Inf SQVQn PinQC on Nav 91Ct Johnson
was severely wounded, and G. w.
lSmith, upon whom the command de-
vOlved, being forced to resign on ac-
count of ill health, Mr.. Davis on June
list appointed General Lee to the COM
mand. From that time the motto of
the Army of Northern Virginia was
Forward! under the control of it's
valiant and skillful commander, who
was destined to lead it on to victory
lon many a hard-fought field, and final
lily, when it's reduction in numbers fore
ed it into a defensive attitude, to with
stand for months it's overwhelming foe,
and never submit until only a meagre
and starving fragment of that gallant
army remained, too few and too ex-
Ihausted to yield any glory to the victo-
Irious army.
HIS ABLE LEADERSHIP.
HE came to the command at a criti-
lca1 time, when gloom and apprehension
were rife in Richmond and depression
was spreading through the army. His
chief officers were almost unanimous in
the opinion hat the line as then oc-
Icupied by our forces should not be de-
tended and ought to be abandoned for
one nearer Richmond. The situation
twas one that tried the mettle of the
new commander. Fortunately, Nc
lClellan, content with the advantage
that he had gained, did not advance,
and in a short time, by indefatigable
and ~persevering labor, Lee worked
wonders in strengthening his position,
-reorganizing his army INC inspiring it
with his own cool confidence. In the
latter part of June, having increased
his force to about 1000 men, he as
stunned the offensive and in a series of
brilliant, but bloody battles, in a few
days he had driven his formidable op-
Iponent and his splendid army from his
works and compelled him to seek shell
ter and safety on the banks of the
James under the covering fire and pro-
lection OF his gunboats. From this
time forth General Lee was the idol of
his army, which was ever eager and