The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1900-09-19
Gen. Lee AS a Soldier.


Cold Ilarkor, during the seven days
fighting around Richmond, was the
first time met my father after join
ed the army. The tremendous work
Jackson's men had performed during
their campaign in the valley, their
rapid march from there to Lees left
flank at Ricbmond, the short rations,
the bad water, and the great heat had
begun 20 tell upon them. On the
morning | ailude to my battery had was
not moved from it's bivouc grounds Of
the previous night, but was parked in
an open field, waiting orders. Most
Of the men were lying down, many
sleeping, myself among the latter
number. TO get some shade and be
out Of the way | had crawled under a
caisson and was slumbcring profound.
ly, making up many lost hours of rest.
Suddenly was rudely awakened by
some comrade prodding me with a
sponge staff, as l had failed to be
aroused by his call, and was told to
get up and come out, as some one
wished to see me. Half awake, l stag
gercd out, and found myself face to
face with Gen. Lee and his staff.
Their fresh uniforms, bright equip
ments, and we'll groome horses con-
trastcd so forcibly will the war-worn
appearance of our command that was
completely dazed. 1t took me min
ute or two to realize what it all meant.
But when | saw my fathers loving
! eyes and kind smile it all became clear
to me, and / knew that he had ridden
by to look me up and shake me by the
hand. l remember well how curiously
those who we're with him gazed at me,
and | am sure that it must have struck
them as very odd that such dirty,
ragged, unkempt youth could have
been the son of this grand looking
man and victorious general.
After Mcclellan s change Of base to
Harrison s Landing, on James River,
the Confederate army lay inactive
around Richmond. had short fur
Tough on account of sickness and was
sent into town. I ne. my mother at
the door of her house, and she did not
recognize me. When she found out
that this drcodful-looking creature
was her son she Immediately had me
put into bath and all my clothing,
including hat and shoes, burned in the
back yard. do not think l was in a
worse condition than many Of the
other private soldiers. Poor fellows!
They all needed such treatment about
that time.
We of the ranks had our opinions
on all subjects, and freely discussed
the armies, their generals, what they
did, what they should do, and what
they had left undone. IF there was
one point on which the entire army
was unanimous-I speak of the rank
and fle-it was that We were not in
the least afraid Of Gen. Pope. and
were perfectly sure Of whipping him
when we could meet him. / quote
here from two letters Of Gen. Lee,
from which We may infer that this
feeling may possibly have extended to
our officers. In letter to my mother
from near Richmond, dated July q,
1862: Z" When you write
to Rob again, tell him to catch Pope
for me, and also bring in his cousin
Louis Marshall, who, I am told, is on
his staff. could forgive the latter
fighting against US, but not his join
ing Pope" And again:
Johnny Lee (his nephew) saw Louis
Marshall after Jackson's last. battle,
who asked him Kindly after his old
uncle, and said his mother was well.
Johnny said Louis looked w.etchedly
himself. l am sorry he is in such
bad company, but I suppose he could
not help it. ~
eff were an artist like you," he
writes again, II would draw a true
picture Of Traveller, representing his
fine proportions, muscular figure, deep
chest, and short back, strong haun-
ches, fat legs, small head, broad fore
head, delicate ears, quick eye, small
feet, and black name and tail. Such
picture would inspire poet, whose
genius could then depict his worth
and describe his endurance Of toll,
hunger, thirst, heat, cold, and the
dangers and sufferings through which
he passed. He could dilate upon his
sagacity and affection and his invari-
able response to every wish Of his
rider. He might even imagine his
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