The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-01-20

encampment. His endurance was wonder
fuI. HIS career was a steady blaze Of
glory: The siege of Cerro Gordo brought
HIM promotion; so also Cherubusco; while
ChaupultaPec gained him the brevet RANK
OF Colonel-the highest in the Corps OF
Engineers.
A simple narrative OF his life is his
best euIogium. So let me detain you with
a brief account of single incident. 4,ear
Cherubuseo, the route OF the army struck
triangular region of volcanic Scoria
called the Pedregal. 1t was wild waste
"a vast surface OF volcanic rocks,
sea OF CONCEALED lava, broken into every
conceivable form, by sharp ridges and
deep fissures. 1t was painless and pre-
cipitous, requiring the explorer TO spring
from rock 10 rock, often so sharp that
only one foot could gam foothold on
them. TO strike the enemys flank. Lee
conducted a body of troops across that
difficult region. They went as strag-
glers-every man for himself; but event
ually before nightfan, one by one, they
had reached the further side. At night
a council of war was held by the Off
GERS Lees suggestion FOR the attack
was adopted; and he fastened to set out
OH his return to advise Gen. Scott OF tho
proposed movement. But a fierce storm
had set in. The rain was falling in tor
rents, and the darkness was intense. Lee
left the council, and his way lightened
only by the Iurid flashes of The electric
storm, began the pcrilous journey across
that rocky chaos; scarcely a step Of the
whole route could have been taken with
Isl of p Mt +c-
information, Gen. Scott had sent forward
seven different officers to cross the Ped
regal but every one had returned, md
ing it impossible to cross. Not one sue
ceeded in getting through. But Lee sue
ceeded. At midnight, he reached Scott
headquarters safe. Gen. Scott afterwards
bore this testimony: That Capt Lees
night crossing of the Pedregal, alone, in
that terrific storm, was the greatest feat
of physical and moral courage performed
by any individual in my knowledge, per
vading the entire campaign in Mexico"
! By three O'Clock the next morning, Lee
was conducting an assaulting column
through darkness and rain 10 an cminence
in the rear Of the Mexican po5ition-an
at sunrise, the battle was won.
Every day made some new demand on
Lees skill, daring and courage; and every
day he measured up higher and higher
as q competent soldier. Gen. Scott, who
won imperishable honors by his constant
victories, d.d not hesitate to ascribe his
success, in large part TO the skill, valor
and undaunted energy OF Robert Z. Lee.
And the other officers were of the same
opinion. By common consent Lee wore
his hdnors worthily. All sang his praises.
Gen. Wilcox caps mis- laudation with the
following remark: And then 1 was
much impressed with his fine appearance
both ON horseback and on foot He was
the handsomest man in the army
But during all this arduous service,
amid all this peril, the heart of the hand
soonest man in the army was with his
home on the banks of the Potomac. AS
soon as peace came, he FASTENED TO Ar
where he wrote to his BROTH
CT, Capt. Sidney Les OF the navy, Il e
day after his arrival: Here l am again.
perfectly surrounded b. Mary and her
precious children, who seem to devote
themselves to staring at the burrows in
my face, and the white hairs in my head.
And, continuing in a most atfctiOnate
way, he urges his broiher't"to bring SIS
Nan and all the little ones to see MIN -
Yes, afection had its home in his
hart, and the glory OF bis brilliant ca
reer only made him the more tender and
loving to his dear ones. The burrows
were on his checks, and his hair was whit
ened-these attested the hard service he
had performed; but he received the rich
reward OF superb capabilities in treasured
laudations.
In Mexico with him, were Grant, Meade
Mcclellan, Mcdowell, Thomas, Hooker,
Burnside, scdgewick, Hancock, Smith, Phi
low, Sidney Johnston, joe Johnston
Bragg, Longstreet, McGruder, Early, A.
p Hill, D. II. Hill, and other CON- ian,
!ons in arms-all winning honors, some
achieving high distinction-but none gath
ering the splendid laurels that adorned
the brow OF Robert E. Lee
At New York, he was vestryman o.
the church he attended, and all through
life he made public profession o. the
Christian faith, and Of his dependence
upon the de ty. From the frontier, be
wrote to his wife: This is Easter Sun
day l hope you have been able to at
tend the services at church. My own
have bcen performed alone in my tent
l hope, with an humble grateful and peni-
tent heart, and will be acceptable to GU
Heavenly Father. May He continue His
mercies TO US, BOTH and to all our chtl
dren, relatives and friends; and in His
own good time; unite us in His worship.
if not on earth, forever in heaven"
Such was the keynote Of his hfe-an
humble dependence on the Supreme Be
ing, an abiding faith \ the Christian
religion, accepting all its mysteries with
out question, making it the light and
beacon to guide his footsteps, and look
ing with hope to its promises of life
everlasting.
While at his distant post, unbending
from his cares, his letters home abound
ed in playfulnoss; especially those to his
little daughter, While sometimes, he min
! gled in his affectionate letters to his
wife, little philosophy. Systematically
pursue" ne wrote her: .The best course
to recover your lost health | pray and
trust your efforts, and the prayers Of
those who love you, may be favorably an
! swered. Do not worry yourself about