The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1909-04-08

strategy from first to last stamped
him as a military leader OF the first
Lee had calculated every
hazard, including the moral effect of
Jackson's tremendous onslaught, and
with a handful Of men he routed
Hooker and drove across the Kappa
hammock River what its sophomore
leader had declared to be b Finest
army on the Planet"
Jackson's death at Charlottesville
blasted the hopes OF the Southern ar
my. Within the confines of that drea-
ry forest, on a bright May night, per-
ished the hopes of the Confederacy.
A few walks later, when the OPP
posing armies met in mortal combat,
Lee felt the absence of his great lieu
tenant, whose watchword at Chancel-
louisville had been, "Press forward,
press forward"
But, above the soldier, beyond the
hero of Fredericksburg, N Chancel-
lorsville, and the Second Manassas,
what is most admirable about General
Lee, the man, the husband, h father
the humble private citizen at Lexing-
ton.
His simple habits, his modest bear
ing, his noble dignity under all provo
cation, his spotless purity of life, his
gentle, kindly humor, bring him close
to the hearts of all loyal Americans.
With the narration of a little story,
which has never appeared in print,
shall bring this appreciation to a
close. The story was given to me in
person by Captain Wellington East
ham, Of the 46th Virginia Infantry
Army of Northern Virginia.
A few days after Jackson's fall III
! Charlottesville, Captain Eastman
was surprised to receive an order di
recting him to report to h Comman.
derin-Chief in person. The order was
complied with instantly. The Capt
rode to headquarters in the company
of an orderly, to whom he handed tbs
reins of his horse, and walked to
| ward General Lees tent. 1t was late
in the afternoon. On seeing his Wis
itor, General Lee rose from his seal
and offered his hand, saying, Captain
I am sorry to have to summon yoJ
for a dangerous mission, but it is nee
essary for the safety of the army
Hooker's recklessness is, l Tlppose
better for us than McClellan's hest
tation."
(Note these expressions of Genera
Lee, "recklessness" and hesitation,
which l am confident were the pre-
else terms employed in his converse
ton with Captain Eastman, as 1 an
certain they were the YER words III
used in our conversation.)
Then followed certain directions
from the Commanding General t
Captain Eastman none of which 1 re
member.
After business matters had been di:
posed of, General Lee signed SON
papers, and, turning to Captain East
ham, inquired, Captain, will you no
have a little supper with me?"
The Captain accepted this invita-
ton, as he old me, more than in
%stantly."
The meal was very simple, consist
ing of roasted potatoes, bread withou
butter, tea, INT boiled honiny, o.
which the General ate heartily. Gen
eral Lee walked out of his tent am
invited Captain Eastham's orderly tt
come in and "eat a little something
with US" The orderly was so impres.
ed by the invitation that he asked the
General concerning the health Of Mrs
Lee and the family.
General Lee treated all with the fin
est courtesy, smiling as he passed {
ragged appearing potato to Captain
Eastman. 1t was after dark wher
this frugal meal was concluded. A.
the General and his subordinate walk
ed toward the waiting horses the for
mer turne and said in an undertone
Captain, I am doing my best to be
worthy of this army"
After h surrender at AppomattoS
General Lee, declining fabulous Offer