The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-03-16
WHAT WAS NEWS
FIFTY YEARS AGO
Reprinted from Th,. Newspaper.


At meeting of the City Council
yesterday. Mn Scott, from the special
committee appointed to purchase Il
house for the family of General Lee.
report, but as this WAS the last meeting
OF the Council. he felt II his duty 10
lay before them letter received from
General Ice. which had long been IN
Hand. ard which nc would now move
&c spread upon the minutes OF the
Nj. Scott then read the following
"He"dquarters ArWy Northern tn, virginia.
ITO The President oil the city Council.
llch:uouu. Va:
"Str,-My attention has been directed
TO q resolution reported in the news
papers as having been Introduced into
the BODY over which YOU preside, haV-
ms for its object the purchase by the
CITY Of Richmond, OF Il house for the
use Of my family.
i assure you., sir. that no want Of
me by inns resolution o. insensibil.ty
- the Kind feeling which prompted IL
induces me, 10 ask as | most RESPECT
iu!iy do, that no further proceedings
be taken with reference TO the subject.
The house is not necessary Tor the
use OF my family, and my duties VIII
prevent my residence in lichmoud.
u SHOULD, Therefore. he compelled to
decline the generous offer. and trust
,h"; whatevei means the city Council
may have TO spare for this purpose may
pe deNotcd 20 the relief OF the families
OF our soldiers in The ncid VINO are
more in need OF assistance, ana more
Il have the honor to be.
Very respectfully,
ar. + LEE General"
II was explained that the above let
ger HAD been held since ITS receipt last
WOULD change his mind and accept the
liichmond hume that all our people
would love TOR him to hold
Dash on Eastern shore.
me succeaatul and daring enterprise
o. Captain Thaddeus Fit2hugh of The
f!tth X, siment, Virginia Cavalry. who,
with on! hit"en men. visited the East
Grn shore OF Virginia and inflicted great
loss upon the enemy. turns out to have
able affairs OF the war. With fifteen
men, this gallant officer, who was in
Ma thews County on furlough, crossed
boats evaded the blockading vessels Of
me enemy, as well as the mounted
pieikets. coast Guards and disahected
cit!"cnS or northampton County, land
ed, abandoned his boats. marched nearly
twenty miles. captured fftyfour pris-
onerS nine cavalry horses many arms
saddles. etc. He destroyed 1890 bar
lels Of army stores and provisions
Wo government stOrchouscS were de-
SttONcd: the submarine tclcgrauh' to
foiifcSs Monroe was destroyed in a
most complete manner. ana the mem
bcrs Of the expedition then directed
their attention to the capture OF the
enemy vessels. Two steamers and a
schooner, viii! government goods were
sunk: large sidewheel steamer was
captured and bonded; a large new ana
powerful steam propeller belong ing TO
the United states. Was captured, and
IN that tho daring captoTs escaped un-
der shower OF bullets from nc enemy.
whose cavalry arrived u rew minutes
too late 10 do more than witness the
departure of Captain Fitzhuch ana his
command. The engineer OF the can
turcd steamer was forced 10 run the
Steamc. into the Pinnkctluk ilve.
"a ~ ~. mod =
the new and valuable machinery re-
moved 10 place Of safety. our read
crs viii agree with US that the war
mas furnished few Instances Of So
small number OF daring men inlet
ing 50 large an amount OF damage
upon the enemy. under circumstances