Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-07-11
WAS wAsHINGToN's ESCORT
Lee Afterwards Wrote Address in
Which Washington Is Described as
First In War. First in Peace and
FIRST In Hearts Of Countrymen."

PTesiHcnt or the Virginia Society. Sons
OF the American Revolution. and Il
great grandson Of Jesse t'rayser. who
al the age of eighteen was at the bat
tie OF Gui!ford Courthouse. on March
10, 1881.
After reviewing briefly tile ancestry
IN England ana in this country Of the
Lee family. Mr. Clarke said. I'm part:
Henry Lee was preparing himself for
the profession OF las at Princeton. :ud
vas about 10 embark for England TO
pursue that study under tho direction
OF Bishop Porteus this mothers uncle,.
when the commencement of hostilities
With England changed his destiny
ESCORTED WASHINGTON TO
TAKE; COMMAND OF ARMY
soon after the battle of Lexington.
ne entered the army as captain of cav
airy AZ the age of nineteen. He soon
became 4 favori,e of Washington on
juno %. l775. Washington received his
commission Al Philadelphia. and the
next day departed for the army near
, Boston. He set out OH horseback hav-
G for military companions Schuyler
Ice. and an escort of Philadelphia
I clut As thcy rode towards Boston
4 o Jowds gathered along the way.
al nraosir rang with acclamations
u OH saw active war. for. besides
ueh !, esent AT other important ac-
IONS TO the northern department.. he
Was a. the battles Of Brandywine.
Germantown and Spring field. In the
h!flcult and critical operations in
PENNSYLVANIA New Jersey and New
FORK from l777 to 1850, inclusive. he
was always placed near the enemy. in
trusted with command OF outpos,s, the
supervision Of scouts, and that Kind OF
service which requires the possession
of GOODNESS. address and enterprise
During the occupancy Of Phila-
de!phia by the British. his activity and
success In impeding their communica-
lions and cutting off their supplies
drew on him the particular attention Of
the enemy
PROMOTED ny CONGRESS
AS REWARD OF MERIT
In consequence. they resolved TO cut
him OFF. and their attempt to surround
him resulted in driving him into
spread Eagle Tavern six miles below
Valley Forge. Here "A surprise was at
tempted by 200 British horse. who by
a circuit of twenty miles eluded the
vigilance OF his videttes. and reached
his quarters at daylight. with great
activity. Lee frst secured the doors OF
the tavern which they were unable to
p force. then, mastering his garrison.
eight IN all, not enough to man each
window. he obliged the enemy TO retire
ttcr an action of half an hour. Five
OF The attacking party were killed and
several wounded Failing in their at
tempt TO force the doors, they en-
deavored to take of the horses from
ha
place Lee directed his fire. and 10 de-
ceive the enemy cheercd loudly, Fire
away. men, here comes our Infantry
we viii have them all" This caused
a stampede OF the enemy, whom he pur-
sued 10 no purpose. Lee assured the
Dragons of this command that he
should consider their future establish
nent in life s his peculiar care, and
he honorably kept his word
Lee now a captain. The event
just related gave great pleasure to
Washington. and was mentioned in his
letters and reports.
For his merit throughout the cam
paisn, Congress in l77S promoted him
10 the rank OF major. and gave him
an indepe ndent partisan corps. with
which he won a great reputation as a
leader and the Soubriquet of Light
Horse Harry" Lee.
SERVED WITH GREENE
AT GuILFOkD COURTHOUSE
After strengthening his army, Cen
eral Greene determined 10 go again
into North Carolina. pickens and Lee
were sent to harass CORVALLIS and
Tarleton. Following them. General
Greene again entered and adopted de-
fensive tactics which wcared out the
army of the British, who vainly fol-
found General Greene and his army at
Guilford Courthouse on March H. 1881,
about twelve miles distant from the
enemy.
Early in the morning of the 18th.
Lee. with his troops. encountered the
advance guard OF CORVALLIS under
Tarleton, when a short engagement oc-
CURED Lee being convinced that the
main army Of CORVALLIS was not far
in the rear, returned towards the Amer
lean army and advised General Greene.
not doubling that the long avoided
now wished for-hour was at hand
The road by which CORVALLIS would
come is through narrow valley OPEN
ing into widening valley. In this
wide valley General Greene formed
his line of battle. consisting of North
Carolina. Virginia. Maryland and Con.
tinental troops. On the right was
Lieutenant Colonel WASHINGTON with
his cavalry to hold that flank. and on
the left Lieutenant-Colonel Lee with
his legion and the Virginia Ritiemen.
commanded by Colonel Campbell. AS
soon as the British appeared Singleton
opened cannonade u his two six
FOUNDERS. The Britis ipondad ard
formed In line of be- When the
enemy came within shot the
American line. by orc ~ began TO fire
tndismayed. the British continued to
advance, and having reached a proner
distance. discharged their pieces. rem
ding the air with shouts To the
distress and modification of the army.
some OF the American unframed mill
tia took TO flight; every effort was
made by Generals Butler and Eaton and
colonel Davie to stop this unaccount
able panic. for not man of the corps
had been killed or even wounded.
LleutenantColonel Lee joined I'm the
attempt to rally the fugitives; all In
vain.
LEES CORPS CUT OFF