Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1905-05-05
GEN. FITzHUGH LEE DEAD.
This Distinguished virginian Passes
Away in Washington.

This Distinguished VirgInian Passes
| Away in Washington.
| Gen. FitZhugh Lee, one of the most
distinguished men of bis day, who was
paralyzed Thursday while returning
from Boston, died Friday night at
Providence Hospital, in Washington
He was conscious up to his death. and
conversed with those around him. He
was buried in Holly wood cemetery in
Richmond yesterday afternoon.
The funeral took place at 2 O'Clock
Yesterday afternoon from st. Paul's
church. and was conducted by Bishop
Randolph, assisted by several clergy
men. The body of Gen. Lee remained
in the City Hall until "a short time
prior to the funeral. and was viewed
| by thousands.
The military from Stanton, Dan
vile, Lynchburg, Alexandria,, Char
lOttesville, Richmond, Norfolk and
other cities we're present and took part
in the parade.
Representatives from Stonewall jack
son Camp and nearly every other camp
in the state took part in the ceremonies.
Gen. Fitzhugh Lee was the son of
Sidney Smith Lee, Ia brother OF Rob
ert E. Lee), who was an officer in the
United States navy and afterward IN
the Confederate navy. He was the
great grandson of Light Horse Harry
Lee, and on his mother g side the great
grandson of George Mason, who draft
ed the bill of rights OF Virginia and
stood shoulder to shoulder with Pa
trick Henry in the formative part of
our colonial history.
Fitzhugh Lee was born at ClermOnt,
Fairfax county, Va. November 10,
1885. He was graduated from West
Point IN 1856 and chose the cavalry,
the arm of the service that had been
the choice of his dashing ancestor. He
began his service as a line officer in
that wonderful regiment of the old
regular army-the Second Cavalry.
The regiment s first colonel was Al
bert Sidney Johnston, who became ia
nous as general in the Confederate
army. Robert E. Lee was lieutenant
colonel. The senior major was Will
liam J. Hardee, author of "Hardee's
Tactics" and the next ranking major
was George a. Thomas, now known to
fame as 1.-The Rock of Chickamauga, y"
because be held the gap at Rossville
while the Union army, cut to pieces, re-
treated back upon Chattanooga. Van
Dorm, another famous soldier, was a
major in the old Second cavalry. E
Kirby Smith was captain of the troop
in which Fitzhugh Lee served.
General Lees experiences in light
ing Comauchee Indians have often been
told, and his valiant actions in encoun-
tiers with the savages are part OF his
tory.
The deceased resigned his commits
sion as an officer in the United States
army May II. 1861. and he at once en-
tered the Confederate service, acting as
General Ewell's adjutant general at
the first battle of Bull Run.
His brilliant career afterward in the
Army of Northern Virginia. as one OF
the most dashing generals of cavalry
this country has ever seen, was owing
in large degree, no doubt, to his excel
lent training and great experience on
the plains of Texas in the historic Sec
ond cavalry of the old army of the
United States.
In the Confederate army FltZhugh
Lee was first assigned to staff duty and
speedily became adjutant general OF
Ewell's brigade. Subseq uently he was
com missioned lieutenant colonel OF the
First Virginia cavalry. and later was
made colonel.i participating in all OF
the campaigns of the Army OF North
ern Virginia. On July Is, 1862. he was
made brigadler general, and about d
year later he became a major general
He was conspicuous figure in the
battle of Winchester, on which occa-
sion three horses were shot under him,
and he was severely wounded.
After several months spent in the
hospital he returned to the field, and
in March, 1865, he was placed in COM
mand Of the entire cavalry corps of the
Army of Northern Virginia. Lee dis
pIayed skill as well as courage as a
cavalry leader. At Farmville, near
Appomattox, he led a brilliant charge,
which drove back General Crook
cavalry division, and held the key to
the situation until Sheridan and Ord
arrived with federal achievements
and put an end to the struggle. On the
following day Sen. Robert E. Lee and
General Grant settled the terms of the
surrender of the Confederate force
After the close of the war Fitznugh
Lee retired to his home In Stafford
county and prepared to devote himself
to peaceful pursuits. Like true sol
dies, he accepted the result philosoph
ically and counseled his nelghbors to
return to their several industries aud
make the best OF the situation.
General Lee was elected governor of
Virginia in 1885, and his campaign
was succession of personal OvationS
ending in a gratifying majority. His
opponent was Capt. John 5. Wise. AT
ter be had served his term as governor
his friends undertook to secure his
election as United States senator, but
existing political combinations were
too powerful to be overcome.
During President Cleveland's first
term he appointed General Lee one OF
the members of the board of visitors