Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1907-01-17
GEN. ROBERT Il. LEE.

Next Saturday, the 18th OF January,
will be the one hundredth anniversary
of the birth of General Robert Edwsfd
Lee.
He was born at Strstford on the
Potomac, in Westmoreland county,
the son OF Colonel Harry Lee and
Annie Hill Carter, Colonel Lees second
wife. The stately bone had become
the property of Colonel Lee through bis
marriage with the daughter OF Philip
Ludwell Lee in 1882. From Thomas
Lee, Of the third generation OF Lees IN
Virginia, this mansion bad descended to
the heirs in the days Of King George IL.
The tradition runs that Queen Caroline's 9
admiration for the colonial officer led
her TO send a gift of money to Thomas
Lee for the construction Of a mansion
betting the dignity of the President Of
the Colonial Council.
Colonel Henry Lee ('Light-horse Hsr-
ry"), Roberts father, was son OF a
consin of Richard Henry Lee, the states
man and patriot, and was descendant
from long line of Lees who originally
came to America, about l64O, from
Eneland
Wearing q captains sword, Henry
Lee, entered the war in III, aud did
srduous service Of scouting for Washing
ton's army. He soon received the COM
mandef commeDdation for "gallant De-
havior," and kept his men at hot work
in the days of Brandwine aud German
town. During the winter oil suffering at
Valley Forge he was continually sstir in
bringing bread and beef to the starving
soldiers.
As colonel, he witnessed the surrender
of CORVALLIS at Yorktown, and celebrat-
ed bis own victories by his marriage to
the heiress OF Stratford the following
year In 1892 he entered upon three
years tenure of Office as Governor Of
Virginia, and in 1899 be was elected to
Congress on the federslist platform.
Colonel Lee with his family moved to
Alexandria, in 1911, where the schools
we're better adapted for the education Of
his children. 10 The trouble-6Iled days
of 1912 he received a wound, that six
yeals later resulted in his death, and
young Robert was left in charge of his
mother, now an invalid, to whom he de-
voted much care and attention.
Thus a mans part in life was assigned
to the boy OF Q dozen years, whose elder
brother we're awsy at college and in the
navy. Al xandria Academy furnished
ample instruction for mind and morals,
hut the moulding hand of the mother
Was giving shape to that character which
stands uurivaled for earrestness and
self-sacrifice.
The young mans heart turned toward
his fathers calling, and 1t was decided
he should seek sdmittance to West Point,
where he was enrolled in 1925. No
breach of discipline or any neglect of
duty was ever charged against him dur
ing his years in ne Academy. He at
tanned the position of sdjutant of bat
talon, and was graduated second in his
class. Manliness, trae and noble, was
stamped upon the form and face of the
second lieutenant of engineers who has
tened 10 the waiting mother at the close
of his four years course
She was granted only time to smile
upon him with a mothers pride in her
best-loved child, for in July, 1929, she
passed away.
On Virginin's coast, in the construct
ion of military defenses at Hampton
Roads. was Lieutenant Lees first SER
vice rendered to the Government. In
1881 he was married to Mary Randolph
Custis, daughter of George Washington
Parke Custis, aud great-granddaughter
of Martha GUSTS, the wife of General
Washington, at Arlington, the Custis
home.
The year OF Lees marriage saw the be-
ginning of the abolitionist assault under
Gsrrison's leadership. Mr. Custis, him
self, was believer in gradual emanci-
patton, and leftprovision 10 his will that
his servants should become freedmen a
certain number of years after his death.
AS executor, Robert E. Lee carried out
that provision to the letter, and in 1862
sent three manumitted servants with
passes through his own military lines
into the northern States.
Until the outbreak of the Mexican
war, in 1916, Lee passed his days in the
lsbors Of an army engineer. Devotion to
duty was his conspicuous characteristic.
Strong affection for his family shone in
ell his acts. 4 quiet bumor and hidden
satire gave zest and color to his cores
pondence and familiar intercourse.
From 1884 to 1887, as assistant TO the
chief engineer of the army, he was busy
with Office work in Washington. During
this period he dwelt at Arlington, and
his handsome figure drew much attention
as the gallant horseman passed daily
along Pennsylvania avenue.
In 1887 Lee was placed in charge of
the woik of improving the navigation of
the Mississippi river at st. Louis. In
the following year he was advanced to
ciplain OF engineers. 10 1889, Lee
Does Cof.a disagrae with YOU Probably ii