Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1903-01-29

made major general OF the Contl-
mental army, but he was dissatisfied
because he was not made the comman-
der instead of Washington.
1t was doubted by many whether
he had any sympathy with the Amer
lean cause, and subsequent events
have shown that he was willing to in
trigue with the English commander
to deliver the Americans into his
hands. After the battle of Monmouth
Washington had him court-martialed
for his conduct and suspended from
any command in the army.
Near the residence of General Lee
was the home of General Gates, and
near Martinsburg lived Genl Adam
Stephens and near Leetown is Darkes-
vile to commemorate General Darke,
who also lived in the same county, near
which lived also General Daniel Nor
gan. Is not this locality rich in his
tory?
In the early days of the country,
Winchester was the metropolis of the
Valley, and here, just after Brsddock' 8
defeat, Fort Loudon was constructed
by Washington to protect the people
from the ravages of the Indians, who
then were the allies of the French, and
who desired to have no further pro-
gress made westward by the English,
and by the Indians the settlers were
made to keep in state of defence.
At Winchester there was gathered
the soldiers of Braddock's war, of Dun
more's war, and there were gatherings
of men that were to be leaders in the
war for Independence.
It has been said that the Register
of the Taylor House in Winchester
shows more officers names of the diff
ferent armies than any in the United
States. Winchester was taken and
retaken so frequently that the citizens
never knew in the morning which side
had control of them.
Lord Fairfax at one time held con-
troll of the place for his English King
George, and afterwards it was held by
Lord Daniel Morgan for George Wash
ington.
General Lee purchased his estate
in ITS, and be was there before the
revolution but little of his time. Al
ter this war, he lived there and often
met his associates, General Gates and
General Stephens, to talk over the
war experiences, and to twit each
other with their failures.
Washington went into this vicinity
at one time and thought he would call
on his Generals in this neighborhood
and sent word to Lee that he would
be there on certain day. When the
day arrived, lee was in the woods
with his dogs and on the door was
written in chalk: mo meat served
here today" 1t was expected that
Washington would say something en-
phatic, but he knew Lee, and he only
laughed, and took his departure.
General Lee had been wounded in
duel by Colonel John Laurens on
account of language used about Wash
ington, and Washington himself had
lost all respect for Lee after the bat"
tie of Monmouth, and it is no wonder
that Lee did not care to meet him
again.
Lee lived, while at Leetown, IN his
house with his dogs, and with some of
his neighbors he was kind with others,
he was arrogant and mean.
At the time that General Lee lived
at Leetown there was plenty of game
in the woods near to his home, plenty
of fish in the Opequon, and he had
plenty of time to indulge himself in
these sports. His peculiar temper
ament would not permit him to re-
main in doors and read or write, he
must be moving and roaming out doors,
with his dogs, and he had his stable
full Of horses, and there was no end
of territory over which he could ride.
There is no doubt that General Lee
had hisfriends and admirers, his Pc
culiar manner made some think that
he was a military genius; and this
was the impression he attempted to
make, but he had not the judgment
necessary to command an army, such
as was given Washington to command
and because be could not command
the army, be wished to see Washing
ton defeated. His life, after the court
martial, was not one calculated tc
make him happy-he became sour and
morose. and apparently cared fol
nothing or no one.
Don't Worry.
This is easier said than done, yet il
rnav he of some helm To consider the