Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-29
His Notable Career.

His Notable Career.
Fitzhugh Lee was of the Lees of Virginia
who gave to the country some of it's most
noted soldiers and statesmen. Even before
the coming of the family to America it was
notable in England The members of the
family sprang into prominence Immediately
on landing on the stores of America. The
first American Lee was Richard, a cavalier
of the court of Charles l, who came with
his family and settled in Northumberland
county, Va. 1t was d Lee who Joined sue
cessfully with Berkeley in Virginia in pro-
claiming Charles II king two years before
the coronation and reception of that mon
arch in London. 1t was another Lee-Rich-
ard Henry-who moved the adoption of the
Declaration of Independence. During be-
fore and after the revolution the Lees were
a power in the United States. In the civil
government and in the army they held high
places of trust and confidence, and ii is
the proud boast of the members of the fam
lily that they never betrayed trust or vio-
lated confidence. Fitzhugh Lee came into
the Inheritance of the great name and
fame of his family at Cleremont, Fairfax
county, Va, November 10, 1885. His IA
Their was Commander Sydney Smith Lee of
the United States navy, who was brother
of Gen. Robert Edward Lee. Commander
Lee was graduated from the Naval Acad-
envy in 1920, and became popular and eff
ficient officer of the navy. During his serv-
Ice in the navy he accompanied Perry on
his famous expedition to Japan and partic-
ipated in the engagements during the Mex
lean war. He resigned from the navy in
1861, after having attained the rank of
commander. His wife, Gen. Lees mother.
was known as the beautiful Mamie Ma
son, daughter of Gen. John Mason She
met Commander Lee at the Gusts home,
Arlington, and spent many happy days of
her life at Arlington and Mount Vernon.
Army as Profession.
Fitzhueh Lee chose the army as his pro-
fession as soon as he was old enough to
make a choice. His early education seems
to have been directed with a view of max
ing him an efficient and gallant soldier. He
had the example of his fathers favorite
brother Gen. Robert E. Lee, always before
him, and was frequent visitor at his
uncle's home. In 1852, when he was seven
teen years of age, he received an appoint
ment to West Point. He promptly gave
evidence of his fitness for his soldierly call
ing while student. leading his class in all
strictly military exercises and standing high
in the course of studies. He Is said to have
been one of the finest horsemen ever grad
uated from West Point. Gen. u. S. Grant
enjoyed the same distinction.
In 1856 FitZhugh Lee was breyeted a sec
ond lieutenant in the army and was as
airy. He was commissioned a second lieu
tenant two years later and soon won dis
tinction an Indian fighter and all-around
good soldier. His regiment was one of the
most famous of the service. 1t was COM
manded by Col. Albert Sidney Johnston, aft
erward a confederate general, who fell in
battle. Robert h. Lee was lieutenant colo
mel OF the regiment and Earl Van Dorm,
another famous cavalryman, was the majo
in command of the squadron to which Young
Lee was assigned Troop e, with which
Lee saw his first duty was commanded by
Capt e. Kirby Smith. afterward confed-