The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-10-09

and forgiven, that this heavy pun
ishment under which we labor may
with justice be removed from US ana
the whole nation, what a gracious con-
summation of all that we have en-
dured ii will be-" In the same letter
he voices his forebodings for his old
home, and says if it is destroyed ne
would like to purchase Stratford ton
the lower sPotomac.) 1T is poor
place." ne adds, but we could make
enough corn bread and bacon for our
support, and the girls could weave US
clothes"
The author then student at the
University Of Virginia, describes his
fathers consent for him to enter the
army, which he did as a private in
the Rockbridge Artillery. L do not
suppose" he says, 'it ever occurred
to my father to think of giving me
an office, which he could easily have
done. 1 know it never occurred to
me-"
On the day following the battle Of
Seven Pines Gen. Lee assumed COM
mand of the Army of Northern Vir-
ginia, Gen. Joseph z. Johnston having
been severely wounded. The author
tells of one amusing encounter with
his father 1t was at the second bat
tie of Manassas, when, all powder
grimed and ragged and with sponge
staff in hand, he saw Gen. Lee and
staff ride up and take position near
his battery. Young Lee spoke to
staff officer and told him who he was.
When Gen. Lee dropped his glass and
turned to his staff the officer said:
General, here is some one who wants
to speak to you" The General, not
recognizing his son, said, well, my
man, what can 1 do for your
Capt. Lee says that one marked
characteristic of his father was his
habit of attending to all business
promptly. HE was never idle" he
says, land what he had to do he per-
formed with care and precision"
The long series of letters to his wife
and family rarely more than a few
weeks elapsing without one, evidence
not only Gen. Lees capacity for bust
ness in the direction of his private af-
fairs, his devoutly religious mind, but
a quaint humor that here and there
brightens the generally sad and tender
correspondence. In the winter of 1852
So, when he was in Camp Fredericks-
burg, he wrote his daughter Agnes:
Gen. Hooker is obliged to do some
thing. l do not know what it will
be. He is playing the Chinese game,
trying what frightening will do. He
runs out his guns, starts his wagons
and troops up and down the river and
creates an excitement generally. Our
men look on in wonder, give cheer
and all subsidies" A fortnight later
in letter to Mrs Lee, describing the
cold and discomforts of his army, he
says: II owe Mr.. F. j. Hooker no
thanks for keeping me here" After
Charlottesville, when Jackson fell, he
wrote Mrs. Lee: ANY victory would
be dear at such price. l know not
how to replace him. Gods will be
done. l trust He will raise UP some
one in his place" In nearly all of his
private letters during this period mem
tion is made of the hardShips and suf-
ferings of mis- men, their lack of shoes.
clothing and blankets. zone can see
from these letters" says the author,
how deeply he felt for the sufferings
of his soldiers and how his plans were
hindered by inadequate supplies of
food and clothing. 1 heard him con-
stantly allude to his troubles; indeed,
they seemed never absent from his
mind" In the winter of 1863-64 Mrs.
Lee and her daughters removed to
Richmond and from Camp Rappaha-
mock he wrote Mrs. Lee: II fear my
daughters have not taken to the spin
ming wheel and loom, as 1 have recon-
mended. I shall not be able to recon-
mend them to the brave soldiers for
wives"
In the spring of 1864 Fitzhugh Lees
brigade, to which the author, who had
won a commission and staff appoint