The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-20

so nuch has been written OF our great
captain and chief, that 1 feel there is
little that / can add TO the story OF his
life. One of my uncles. John Mackay.
| OF Savannah, Ga, WAS his classmate and
intimate friend. and also an engineer.
| When they producted from West Point,
| they were both ordered to report for
| duty to General Mansfield who was
building Fort Pulaski on an island at
the mouth OF the Savannah River. After
staying at the fort short time, Lieu
| tenant Mackay persuaded him to move
! to his mothers house in the city as
they could go to the fort every morn
ing by boat. This they did. and then
| b<igan In the gay little city the strong
| friendship that endcd only with life.
My uncle died young. but General Lees
letters to him for fifteen years. are still
| In existence. for after the building Of
| the fort. they were sent TO different posts,
and General Lee was never but few
days at a time in Savannah after that.
until 1861. when given the command OF
South Carolina and Georgia He reached
Charleston at midnight. and found many
of the beautiful old homes. with their
interesting contents and histories. In
a blaze: and he, with Colonel Long, his
chief OF staff. Immediately went to work
to blow up houses In the neighborhood
and remove material from the track of
the flames. and so probably saved the
rest Of tho city, for the tide was out
and the city supply OF water exhausted.
When General Lee arrived In Savannah,
Mrs. Mackny, the mother OF his friend
said to him, your old quarters are at
your service. and we would be glad
to have YOU with u.s." but though
when in the city he usually spent his
evenings there, resting in large old
fashioned chair, that was always
called General Lees chair" he never
spent night in private house. we
suppose for fear tho enemy might re-
sent 1t, If they got possession of the
city. In March, 1862, he was recalled
to Richmond.
Before 1850 there were always ar
my and navy officers stationed about
we'll one discussion that never seemed
to lose interest for them: I'm event
of war with foreign power, who
would take General SCOTS place? AS
years were telling on him." The dis
cussion always quickly narrowed down
to two names, Albert Sidney john
ston and Robert z. Lee. and usually
former was genius OF war" the lat
ter's great stability, and devotion to
duty" would win the decision. 1t
is perhaps forgotten now that all
bridges built over the Mississippi al
St Louis were washed away, until
Gen. Lee was sent to build one. and.
though there are others there now, his
has stood tho tide Of river. traffic, and
men for all these years, and Is still
In use.
The last time I saw General Lee be-
fore the war. was in a morning visit |
with my sister. at Arlington in the
fall OF 1853. His daughter. Annie. |
who died in 1862 Was in her rich |
dark cooring. character, quiet dignity |
and charm of manner very like him.
and to whom, he was very devoted, |
was my intimate friend. and when
saying good-by TO her. he came dnwn !
the steps, aud stood behind us, putting |
hand on each OF US. he said: mo
tears at Arlington, no tears" 1t is
now place Of tears.
In 1870 his daughter. Agnes, and he,
went South. and he babe mo write to
his friends in Georgia. that "the old
mountains to see them. and they must
return to Savannah. and open the old
Mackay home again." I wrote and the
few who wero still living went down
to receive Inn. and all the city re5oiced
to have him there, and did all they
could to show their love and admlra-
tion The Arst parade of Southern
troops in Savannah after the war was
On his birthday. In honor of him, and
MS each year passes the day Is kept
now, not only by the troops, but by
the children of the Confederacy also.
on General Lees return from that
Journey they were In this city for
one morning. and spent 1T with them.
Before they went South had told
|
and believed In him.; but one part OF
his greatness was his beautiful humility.
and q he could not realize the feel
ing his people had for him.
have always felt thankful that
he took that Journey, that the
oyatIons OF the people at every station.
in every State. and city he passed
through would assure him OF their
love- Many went more than hundred
miles to look once more at the face.
and hear the voice OF him they knew