Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-28

a leading part. he suffered an attack of
acute indigestion. but later rallied. and
during the last week showed much i'm
collapsed and grew gradually weaker until
his death this morning
At the time Of his death. although not
the ranking officer Of the Confederacy,
Gen. Lee was COMMUNICATIVE of the
Confederate Veterans. Lieut.. Gen. \. p.
Stewart of Chattanooga is ranking officer.
but account o. his infirmities hc has
not taken an active part III the affairs Of
the organization for many years.
Born in 1888.
Gen. Lee was ore of the South Carolina
Lees. He was born in that state in 1s:.:.
He received his appointment TO the United
States Military Academy at West Point
and graduated at that institution. rcce!v-
ing his commission in the Artillery AT
the outbreak of the civil war Cen Lee
resigned his commission in the United
States Army and entered The Confed-
eracy.
He served with tho Confederate army
in Virginia until after the battle Of An
tietam. when he was made a brigadier
general ana st nj To ' SlckSDuTS.
Gen. Lee played "A prominent part IN the
siege of NickSDurE. and following tn"
fall of that city was taken prisoner. He
was later exchanged and promoted to
the rank of major general and ordered
to the southwest. He was subsequently
assigned to the Army OF the Tennessee.
with the rank Of lieutenant general, and
served until the close of the war. Gen.
Lee then devoted himself To the educa-
tion of IN" southern youth lie became
president of the Mississippi Agricultural
and Mechanical College.
Conspicuous Figure at Reunions.
On the death of Gen. John b. Gordon
Gen Lee WAS unanimously chosen com
mander-in-chicf OF the United States Con
federate Veterans and was always the
most conspicuous figure at the annual re-
unions of that organization. Just before
his death he WAS making preparations for
the reunion June at Birmingham. and
had already completed the task of as
signing commanders and sponsors for
those positions which are appointive on
such occasions.
Gen. Lee held under the United States
government the office OF commissioner OF
Nicksburs National Military Park. 1t was
in this park that several handsome monu-
ments were unveiled by the Iowa and
Wisconsin veterans last fLufsoay.
| Gen. Lees home wasR 1T Columbus.
Miss. aud the body VIII probably b.
| taken there for intCrment.
| Gen, Lees death came as a shock To
his many friends in this city. and on all
sides. especially by those whose lives
We're at one time connected with the
cause which he served, the expressions
| Of regret We're earnest ana profound
John Callaghan. secretary ot. the Con
| federate Veterans Of thiS city. after
expressing his sorrow at the news. stat
| cd that Gen. Lee WAS a man who was
universally beloved by his men. and
indeed. by all those who We're fortunate
enough to know him. Il recall said
Mr.. Callughan. that President RooSe-
Welt said To me that ii was indeed a
! great pleasure To him To have ridden
/ with Gen. Lee at the heal of the line
| which was his escort when the I're<i
/ dent visited Memphis about a year ago
/ Gen. Lee was one OF the abieSt artillery
| officers Of the ConfeGerICy. lie was a
| West Pointer and in the same class
with Gen. Custer. and only recently
Mrs. Custer wrote me asking his ad-
| dress All the full generals Of the Con
/ federacy and thirteen Of the fifteen
lieutenant generals are now dead and
as each one passes away in his turn il
+, leaves a heavy load of sorrow in the
| hearts of those who loved and served
| with them in the days gone by"
| The local organizations has not Vet
| had an opportunity t. take appro-
| pirate action with respect to the
death of Gen. Lee. hut services meer
for the occasion Will doubtless be ar
ranged for.