The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-08-20
LEE AT WEST POINT.
"reminiscences Of Great Confederate
Written By His Son.

Robert E. Lee, jr., in Frank Leslies
Popular Monthly for Augusta
The LIST of September, 1852 Colonel Lee
was appointed superintendent of the
United States military academy al West
Point My memory as to our move from
Baltimore is very dim. The family went
10 Arlington and remained until our new
home at West Point was gotten ready
some time that winter.
My recollections of my father at West
Point are fuller and more distinct. He
lived in the house, which is still occupied
by the superintendent. 1t was built of
stone, large and roomy, with garden,
stables and pasture lots We the two
youngest children, enjoyed it all greatly.
Grace Darling and Santa Anna were then
with US, and many fine ride have l had
with my father in the afternoons, when,
released from hfs %effice, he would mount
his old sorrel mare and, with Santa Anna
carrying me by his side, take d i've or ten
mile trot Though my pony cantered de-
lightfully, my father would make me keep
him IN trOt, saying that the hammering
/ got from that gait was good for me.
We rode the Dragon seat-nO posting
and | used to become very tired, until l
got used to il.
My father was the most punctual man I
ever knew. He was always ready for
family prayers, and at all meal times, and
met every engagement, business or social,
on the moment. He expected all of US TO
be the same, and Impressed upon US the
use and necessity of forming such habits
tor the convenience of all concerned. L
never knew him late for Sunday service
at the post chapel He appeared in uni
form some minutes before any =One else.
and would jOkingly rally my motner and
sisters for being late, or forgetting some
thing at the last moment. When he could
wait no longer, he would say: wei, /
am on and march away to church by
himself. or with any one of US who was
ready. Then he took his seat, We'll up the
middle aisle; and, as remember, he
n1 rrrrar 1rx n r~fa
mon, and sometimes caught little nap.
At that time this drowSineSs of my
fathers seemed something awful to me-
knew that 1t was very hard for me TO keep
awake, and frequently l did not; but why
he, who ] believed could do everything
that was right without any effort, should
sometimes be overcome l could not under
stand, and did not try to do so.
1t was against the rules for any cadet
TO pass beyond certain well defined limits,
OF course they did sometimes go, and
when caught were punished by receiving
SO many 'demerits. My fatner, riding
up with three cadets far beyond the
limits. When rounding turn in noun
tain road, with a deep woody raVlne on
one side, We came upon them. They i'm
mediately leaped over a low wall on the
ravine side of the road and disappeared
from our view. We rode on a minute In
silence. when my father said:
Did you know those young men? But,
p
would do what is right; it would be so
much easier for all of US.
He knew he would have to report them,
but, not being sure who they were, I sup
pose he wished to give them the benefit of
the doubt At any rate, l never heard
any more about it. One of the three asked
me the next day if the ColoneI mad
recognized them, and / told them what
had occurred
l was now old enough to have a room
to myself, and to encourage me TO be
useful and practical, my father made me
attend TO il, just as the cadets mad 10 90
with their quarters in barracks ana IN
camp. He even, for a time, went through
the form of inspecting it daily to see If
l had performed my duty properly l re-
member enjoying il at first, but soon tired
OF the routine. However, ] was Kept at
1t, becoming in time very pronclent, and
the knowledge so acquired has been OF the
greatest use to me throughout lie.
He always encouraged me in every
healthy outdoor exercise and sport lie
taught me to ride, constantly giving me
minute instructions, with the reasons IoI
them. He gave me my first sled, ano
would often come to where we boys were
/ coasting to look on. He also gave me my
/ first pair of skates, and placed me under
/ the care of a reliable person. VINO SnoulC
} teach me how TO use them, lnqulring reg
uiarly how | progressed 1t was the Same
3 as to swimming, which he was ANXIOUS
should learn thoroughly. Professor Bailey
/ OF the West Point faculty had soI
about my age, now himself a professor a.
! Brown university, Providence, h, l., Wh(
became my favorite companion tooH
my first lesson in the water with MN, un
der the direction and supervision OF nj
/ father. My father inquired constantly
how ! was getting along and made me tel
{ him exactly my methods, stroke etc; an'
/ explained TO me what ne considered tll'
best way to swim, and the reasons for tn