Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-05-19
1 Sc 1

ton of special religious services among
the men were discussed and adopted.
While he was accessible at all times
and rarely had even one orderly before
his tent, Gen. Lee had certain wishes
which his -de-camp knew we'll they
must conform to.
They did not allow any friend of SOL
diers condemned by court-martial twhen
once the decree of the court had been
confirmed by HIM to reach his tent for
personal appeal asking reprieve or re-
mission of sentence. He said that with
the great responsibilities resting him
he could not bear the pain and distress
Of such applications, and to grant them
when the judge advocate general had at
tested the fairness and justice of the
courts decision would be d serious In
jury to the proper discipline of the army.
Written complaints of officers to In
justice done them in regard to promo
ton he would sometimes turn over to an
aid-de-camp with the od-fashioned
phrase. "Suage him, colonel. suaSe
him; meaning thereby that kind let
disliked exceedingly that such disap-
pointed men should be allowed to reach
his tent and make complaints in person.
On one occasion during the winter an
officer came with grievance and would
not be satisfied without an interview
with the commanding general. He went
to the generals tent and remained some
time. Immediately upon his departure
Gen. Lee came to the adjutant's tent with
flushed face and said warmly:
Why did You permit that man to
come to my tent and make me show my
temper?"
The views which prevail with many
to the gentle temper of the great
soldier derived from nhSprvinP him in
domestic and social life, in fondling of
children. or in kind expostulation with
err1ng youths. are not altogether cor
rect. No man could see the flush come
over that grand forehead and the tenn
pie veins swell on occasions of great
trial of patience and doubt that Lee had
the high, strong temper of Washing
ton, and habitually under the same
strong control Cruelty he hated. In
that same early spring of 1864 / saw him
stop when In full gallop to the front ION
report of a demonstration of the enemy
against his lines) to denounce scathingly
and threaten with condign punishment
a soldier who was brutaly beating an
artillery horse.
The quiet camp life at Orange had been
broken in upon for a brief season in No
vember by Meades Mine run campaign.
In this Gen. Lee, finding that Meade fail
ed to attack the Confederate lines, made
arrangements on the night of December
1 to bring on a general battle on the
next morning by throwing two divisions
against the Federal left. He had hoped
to deal a severe blow to Meade's army.
and felt very keenly his failure to carry
out his designs. When he discovered that
Meade had withdrawn he exclaimed in
the presence of his generals:
II am too old to command this army.
We should never have permitted these
people to get away Some who were
standing by felt that in his heart he was
signing for that great right arm
Gee's own designation of .'Stonewall'
Jackson) which he threw around Hooker
at Charlottesville
Both armies returned quietly to winter
quarters and rested until May 4, 1864,
when Lee marched out in the early morn
ing to meet the Federal army. which had
moved under its new commander Gen.