Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1904-02-11

TWO SONS OF tue GonIedeEal6 CuAeIlaihs
Robert e. Lee, we're involved, says
the Washington Post. AS narrated BY
one of the most hospitable and typ
zeal Virginisns, himself a scion OF q
family noted for the brave deeds and
heroic sacrifices, the story Of lincoln
and the Lees reveals a depth OF fra
ternal affection, chivalry and heroism
Of which Americans may justly be
proud, no matter what state may claim
their allegiance.
at 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
q capture. Subsequently a 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 Gusts Lee,
who once owned the Arlington estate.
which was subsequently made a ma
tional cemetery by the United States
government, learned of his brothers
peril. BY means of a flag of truce,
Custis Lee appeared at the headquar-
Of 1rn TwNp yhFa
cordially received him and inquired
the nature of his visit.
To save my brothers life, II pos
sible,' was the reply. and return him
to his wife and children. You must
know, general continued Gusts Lee,
I am a bachelor, and not only that,
but / outrank my brother, who is a
brigadier-general, while l 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.
der, able and willing to abide by the
arbitrament of war. With my brother
1t is different, for he is a man Of FAM
lily, with a wife and four little ones
nothing of my visit, neither does our
father-Gen. Robert f. 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 endeavored to dissuade
me from such an undertaking. Conse-
| quently have come to your headQuar-
tiers 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 q 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 II
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 al
Washington sees fit to interfere
This suggestion, coming from the
source It 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 Lincoln 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, "ant
sent a detailed account of his inter
view with Custis Lee to the President
of the United States, Abraham Lin
coin. Within a few hours after the
message was received at Washington
there came a reply from President
Lincoln to the Federal commander
saying; I know Gusts Lee means
what he says. Defer the execution Of
his brother until you receive further
orders from me-
These orders never came" con
cluded the host for shortly after
ward w. H. F. Lee was exchanged To-
a Federal officer Of the rank OF /
brigadier-general and at once set on
to reJoin his family His. devoted wifi
in the meanwhile learning the stoT!
OF his capture and sentence and hay
ing no means for ascertaining hi
subsequent whereabouts had pine
away and died. Scarlet fever had car
ried of his four children. 80 that
: was 70 darkened and desolate frs
J side that Rooney Lee returned out Q
I the jaws Of death He knew nothin
! at this time OF the offer made By hi
brother to take his place and it wa
) not until long after the Civil War he
3 ended that he learned what the BIZ
/ A n 4. n.