The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1903-07-18

The Washington Port is authority
for the following story:
President Lincoln's magnanimous
disposition and kindly nature was new
err better examplifedthan in a case
during the Civil war in which two sons
Of the Confederate chieftain, Robert E.
Lee, were involved . AS narrated by
on Of the most hospitable and typical
Virginians, himself scion Of a family
noted for brave deeds and herioc sac
rifices the story Of Lincoln and Lee
reveals q depth of fraternal affection,
ckivalry and heroism of which Am
orleans may justly be proud, no matter
what state may claim their allegiance.
On the occasion to which reference
has meen made, post prandial cigars
had been lighted, and a congenial
company of Northern and Southern
men were deep in the discussion of the
merits of the martyred Lincoln.
"There is a piece Of history which
seems to have escaped Northern and
Southern WRITER'S" remarked the host,
land that is an incident involving
Lincoln and the two sons of Mars Ro-
BERT as Gen. Lee was Familiarity
termed by his army. I have been an
omnivorous reader of history connect
ed with Civil war of 1875, but no.
where have I encountered any men,
ton even Of the incident I am about
to relate.
1T was after the battle of Brandy
Station, in which Brig. Gen. VIII. F.
Lee, called by his father and family
Rooney Lee, was not badly wounded,
but captured by the federal forces
Upon being taken to the headquarters
of the union army his identity became
known, and there was consequently
great rejoicing over such a capture
Subseque ntly a federal officer who
had been captured by the confederates
was shot under peculiar circumstances
and the captors of Rooney Lee deter
mined he should be executed by way
OF retaliation. A day had been fixed
when he was to be shot at SUNRISE In
some manner Maj. Gen. Washington
Parke Gusts Lee, who once owned the
; Arlington estate, which was subse-
quently made a national cemetery by
the y. S. Government, learned of
his brothers peril. By means of a flag
Of truce, GUSTS Lee appeared at the
headquarters of the Union Commander,
who cordially received him and in
quired the nature of his visit.
""To save my brothers life, if poss-
ible,' was the reply, and return him to
him his wife and children. You
must know General continued Gusts
Lee, I am a bachelor, and not only that
but I outrank my brother, who is a
brigadier general, while am a major
general. If anyone is to suffer for the
unfortunate occurrence by which one
of your officers forfeited his life, let the
blow fall upon me. There will no one
to grieve and worry about me- for am
a single man and a soldier, able and
willing to abide by arbitrament Of war;
With my brother it is different, for he is
a. man of family, with a wife and four
little ones awaiting him at home. He
knows nothing Of my visit, neither does
our father, Gen. Robert e. Lee. Know
ting both Of them as do it is my con-
lecture that if my purpose had been
| communicated to either Of them they
would have endeavored to dissuade me
form such an undertaking. Conseq-
quently I have come to your headquar-
tres of my own violation, and without
any advice whatever, either from my
family or friends. Give me my. bro
theirs life for my fanily's sake, and
takeI mine as means of retaliation for
a r&gretable and unlocked for act Of
war; and it's; misery + 81: :3$: Il: \ s'..> 1:5#
"lMoyed I.by THIS "a ppeal the union
GENERAL pointed out tai his y'isit hat
whslt She asked spnWer.
to skant & B 81
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