Gilpin observer., 1904-02-04
SAVED LIFE OF LEE.
LINCOLN SPARED SON OF CON
FEDERATE CHlEFTAIN.
Great-Hearted PRECEDENT, Touched by
the Heroism Of Southern Officer, De-
ferred Execution-War's Ending
Settled the Matter for All Time.


disposition and kindly nature were
never better exemplifed than in
case during the Civil War in which
two sons of the Confederate chieftain,
Robert Il. Lee, were involved, says
the Washington Post. AS narrated by
one of the most hospitable and typ
ical Virginians, himself scion of
family noted for the brave deeds and
heroic sacrifices, the story of Lincoln
and the Lees reveals depth of fra
ternal affection. chivalry and heroism
of which Americans may justly be
proud, no matter what state may claim
their allegiance.
1T was after the battle of Brandy
station, in which Gen. W. H. F. Lee,
called by his father and family
Rooney Lee, was not only 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
capture. Subsequently Federal
officer who had been captured by the
Confederates was shot under peculiar
circumstances and the captors of
Rooney Lee determined that he should
be executed by way of retaliation. A
day had been fixed when he was to be
shot at sunrise. In some manner
Gen. Washington Parke Custis Lee,
who once owned the Arlington estate,
which was subsequently made a ma
tional cemetery by the United States
government. learned of his brothers
,arf1 D,- a. 80
Custis Lee appeared at the headquar-
ters of the Union commander. who
cordially received him and inquired
the nature of his visit.
ITO save my brothers. life, if pos
sible,' was the reply and return him
to his wife and children. You must
know. general continued Custis Lee,
I am a bachelor, and not only that,
but outrank my brother. who is
brigadier-general, while am a major
general. II any one is to suffer for
the unfortunate occurrence by which
one of your officers forfeited his life,
let the blow fall upon me. There will
be no one to grieve and worry about
me. for | am a single man and a Sol
dier, able and willing to abide by the
arbitrament Of war. With my brother
il is different, for he is a man of fam
ii., with wife and four little ones
awaiting him at home. He knows
nothing of my visit, neither does our
father-Gen. Robert Z. Lee. Know
ing both of them as | do, it is my con-
| lecture that if my purpose had been
communicated to either of them they
| would have endeayored to dissuade
lne from such an undertaking. Conse-
| quently have come to your headQuar-
ters of my own volition, and without
| any advice whatever. either from my
family or friends. Give me my broth
er's life for his family's sake. and
take mine as means of retaliation
for a regrettable and unlooked-for act
of war and its misery
Moved by this appeal the Union
| general pointed out to his visitor that
what he asked was not in his power
to grant. Lots were drawn for the
execution he said. and fate willed it
that your brother should draw the
fatal number. A time has been fixed
for the execution. the necessary or
ders have been given and it only re-
mains to carry out the details. There
is nobody to help you in your ex-
tremity unless President Lincoln at
Washington sees fit to interfere
This suggestion, coming from the
source 1t did, aroused a CLEAN of hope
within the bosom of Custis Lee, and
he inquired of the Federal commander
whether it would be possible to stay
the. execution of the death sentence
until President Liricoln could be in
formed of the circumstances.
"Most assuredly,' was the reply,
and, furthermore. he shall be in
formed of your heroic and brotherly
offer of sacrifice Immediately
This officer kept faith to the let
ter" continued the narrator, "and
sent detailed account of his inter
view with Custis Lee to the President
of the United States, Abraham Lin
coin. Within few hours after the
message was received at Washington
there came reply from President
Lincoln to the Federal commander,
saying: L know Custis Lee means
what he says. Defer the execution of
his brother until you receive further
orders from me-.
These orders never came" con-
1 cluded the host, for shortly after
ward w. II. F. Lee was exchanged for
Federal officer Of the rank of a
brigadier-general and at once set out
, to rejoin his family. His devoted wife
in the meanwhile learning the story
of his capture and sentence and hav-
inc no means for ascertainiag his
subsequent whereabouts had pined
away and died. Scarlet fever had car
ried OFF his four children. so that 1t
was to a darkened and desolate fire.
side that Rooney Lee returned out of
the jaws OF death. He knew nothing