The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-02-19
GUSTS LEE DIES
At AGE OF EIGHTY


ties in Richmond and by other causes
from rendering regular service.
In the spring OF 1854. however. Pres
jdcnt Davis sent a messenger to Gen
eral Lee TO say that if he would or
der his son GUSTS to a certain impor-
tant command. lie would make him
tnaior-Ceneral. or, If necessary, lieuten-
ant general. at the same time express
ing the highest opinion of his ability
ms n soldier General Robert l.. Lee s
reply was characteristic. He said 20
the distinguished general who bore
MI pavis's message: u am very much
obliged 10 the President for the high
opinion he expresses of GUSTS Lee
and hope that. If GUSTS has the OPP
portunity. he Will prove himself not en-
urely unworthy OF the Presidents high
opinion. But lie is an untried man in
The neld-against his will and my
own, the President has kept him on
his stsff-and i will not take an I'M
tried man and promote him over my
veteran officers. especially when that
man is my own son. The President can
do what he pleascs. but | will not be
Il PARTY to any such transaction"
While his brother, Brigadier-Gen
cral W. H. +. Lee, was a prisoner ay
Fort Lafayette as hostSge for two
'liNtIS WI lSpHSfs' WIN lidd
been selected by lot to. suffer for two
Confederate officers in Federal hands
General GUSTS Lee nobly offered 10
exchange places with him. as his
brother was married and he was not
When General Early was advancing
ou Washington in the summer of 1864
the Confederates had secret plan
To III out an expedition from Whining
ton y. C.. which should enter Chesa
peakc Bay. release and arm the large
number OF prisoners at Point Lookout
and with these reinforce General
Early. ii was IL delicate and import
ant movement requiring ability and
tact IN those who led IL. and the Pres
idcmt did not hesitate to put General
C1stis Lee in command OF tie whole
expedition. while Colonel j. Taylor
Wood commanded the vessels which
were to convey the troops and arms
TO Point Lookout. This plan, it is be-
lieved would have been "A brillian
success had il not been betrayed by
sells recalled just as they We're about
To run the blockade" at the inlet de-
Tended by Fort Fisher.
Taken Prisoner.
General Custis Lee then resumed his
duties in Richmond and held his COM
Inand until Richmqnd was evacuated.
IN the disastrous affair ut Sailor S
Creek. Oh the retreat from Richmond,
General Custis Lee, witt, General
Ewell and large number of others,
was taken prisoner. Like his father
and others Of the most distinguished
soldiers, he accepted the situation
and went TO work to build up his fallen
fortress.
From the autumn OF 1865 to Febru-
AIRY !, 1871, lie was professor Of applied
mechanics and engineering in the Nir-
Ginia Military Institute, Lexington,
ability. At the death of General r. y.
Lee, October 10. 1870, the trustees OF
Washington College in looking for his
successor very naturally turned TO .his
accomplished son. and elected him
president of Washington and Lee Uni
Nersity. He entered upon the duties
OF this Office February /. 1871. and gave
very great satisfaction 10 trustees
faculty and students until July l, 1897,
when his falling health compelled him
10 resign.
Tulane University. OF Louisiana, con
ferred on General GUSTS Lee the degree
OF Ii. D. and an honorary degree was
also given him by one OF The English
scientific associations
In politics General Lee is a Demo
crat; III church. prefereiicc, an Episco-
palian.
Modest and retiring, TO Il fault, but
genial and pleasant in the circle in
Which he moves General Custia Lee has
many of the characteristics of his
great father, and is honored, respect.
ed and loved by those who know him
From Mcn az Mark In Virginia