The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-01-19

.he ninety.f fourth anniversary OF
Pua9 ~ General Robert II. Lee. the
W ',,.r.ieoder Of the Confederate ar
ree's life was so great that MS
n NV ans volumes, but an attempt mas
F'arss hollow to gives short sketches
.,arestlps events in his remarkaole ca
me- ~ fauItless gentleman and soldier
4 a roy aud as a youth, as
ss,n IN Mexico, as general III com
4 a vast armies and as q college, pres,
~ ordinary mortal 1t Is fascinating
rrpat man IN his beginning.
cOns' ~ blagoned forth every detail OF
~ he: loving curiosity seeks to ais
rhat the man was. how he looked,
III he aid. when his name was unknown
lAe M MI ~ no other military hero in ell
RrQplasg''b history was more perfect as
plleuh ojnr from early boyhood to the
az bis NE. than Robert Il. Lee. AS
Y es young man his character
were the same that gave MIN
,ion~ far above his fellows when age
Some upon him. In every walk OF
M distinguishing and immutable
los nm absolute observance of what
4 oonsidered his duty. Alexander OF
w CouStautine the Great and many
y. beroic warriors began life by rlgidIy
Cs.jnc high ideal Of personal con
N mn as time went OH they threw on
restraints that had made them great.
never faltered. -,,.,,
Victor Hugo said Il am the tadpole
a. archanrel." In Lee, rs n boy and
\ Young man. may be seen the same
ong nature which made him the great
frsl and beloved leader.
I'M much is known of his boyhood. He
4 horn In the old Lee mansion at STRAIT
n, in Westmoreland county, Virginia.
Ia three generations of the aristocratic
i family had kept open house. and each
beration had furnished distinguished men
Its country General Henry Lee, four
rs after Roberts birth. moved his fam
Ia Alexandria. across the Potomac from
sshington. actuated. Il is stated, by
IRE TO give his children better facilities
securing an education. In later years
rerai Harry Lee had said: Robert was
Eays good boy" Traditions are hand.
down Of his attention to his studies, of
devotion to mother ANA father, and at
same time. Of mis- indomitable courage
vlgor Of mind and BODY. In his early
lcOl days he developed that minute on
rance Of detail which afterward marked
\ as a military genius
\ Is as q West Point cadet that his per.
aallty first comes to he plainly recorded
ben picture Of him at that time Is clear
ldrawn by Jefferson Davis, whose az
iintance with him began there. and who
his staunch friend until death
Re was eighteen years OF age when he
bred West Point in 1928. Always Of
ht personal beauty, he was then in
full flush Of vigorous youth. His
5ng face and flashing black eyes were
hted up with the glow of perfect health.
Is described as appearing larger and
h mature than the other "plebes" of his
p, Of modest but manly demeanor, with
}rsce and ease Of manner that he had
Frlted from long life Of courtly ances-
a. NO unworthy remark ever passed
. ups, and ne was gentle toward his fe!.
II oqt the. fighting blood OF the Lees
4 IN MS veins, and he was quick to re-
any attempt made to infringe his dig
Il lived frugally and loved exercise,
Elcmars horseback ridipg. 1t Is said
4 whep ne graduated be AID not have
armelt mark standing against him He
Ee1 second In his class, but hi, uro-
thncy was such that be was assigned
Ntts,ll'N1i ioilS,
Eom la lS2l' the date Of his graduation,
1876, he led a commemorative re 'iircd
\ performing the various professional
~ OF m officer Of engineers. By The
ElS order Of promotion he had at
Ia the rank Of captain.
4 soon as he was given an opportunity
quiet undemonstrotive bravery made
I. apparent When assigned to duty
ne mexican war he distinguished him
OF feat of daring which lmmedi-
n placed him first in the regard of Gen
Eiere the battle of Contreras. General
y troops had become separated Ivy
I. uHa OF Pcdigal which was impns-
Y On horseback and commanded by the
KY guns, Seven officers had Mt
Elea to deliver important orders. but