Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-04-22
SKETCH OF ROBERT r.. LEE.

Robert T.. Lee was born at Stratford.
Westmoreland County. Va. His ather.
General Henry Lee, called i.igh, Horse
Harry. was great soldier in Washing
tons army. His mother was Anne Hill
Carter. woman of splendid character.
who tried diligently to train her chill
dren In the right way When Lee was
eight years old his father went to the
West Indies for his health. He stayed
there for some time. and he found that
he got no better. so he sailed for home.
On the voyage nc was taken very i'll.
and they put him of on an island a
friends house. He died in two weeks
| and was buried on the island.
When Lee was eighteen he went to
West Point Academy. While he was
there he never got a demerit, and stood
second in his class when he graduated.
He then Joined the Engineer Corps OF
the United States. He fought in the
Mexican War first under General Scott.
and then under General Wool.
Lee married Mary GUSTS. the great
granddaughter of Mrs. Washington and
the adopted son of Park Custis.
When the North and South were
severed by the dispute about slavery
and the rights of the States Lee was
member OF the United States Army
He was offered wealth. rank and honor
| " he would remain in the Union SER
vice. but he turned his back on all.
for he thought he could never fight
against Virginia, his native State He
enlisted In the Southern army and was
given command OF the Southern
forces,
During the war General Lee shared
the hardships Of his soldiers. He really
cared for them, and they learned to
love and trust him. He said to his
men when he surrendered:
Men. we have fought this war to-
sether. l have done the best I could
Tor YOU. My heart is too full to say
MORE and he silently rode down the
streets Of Richmond past the weeping
crowd
After the war Lee had great many
positions Of honor offered him. He
chose that of the presidency of the
washington College, afterwards called
washington and Lee University. for he
desired to train the young men of tho
South into the path OF duty.
DUTY was Lees watchword Even
win his duties college president
Ice found time to he the politest man
IN town, and was often seen troddinr
tnroush the snow to visit some humble
FAMILY, who would hand II down as an
event in their lives that General I,ec
had paid them a visit.
On october IL, 1879. the news flashed
across the wires that Lee was dead
All the South mourned for hin, ard
speeches were made. in w:,ich 'r neo ana
expressed their sorrow over m. dea,b
ot our hero. Mrs. Lee chore tho chanel
,or Lee,s burial place, and in 1874 his
oouE WAS la TO rest, and as the body
W.. was lowered TO rest his favorite HYMN.
iow Firm Foundation, was sung
Al nrst his vault was covered by white
marine. but IL has been replaced bv
beautiful recumbent statue made h."
'ar ne the great Virginia sculptor
him: 'h'S OF
Not to the Southern people only
shaIi ne limited the tribute OF tear
over Tho dead Virsinian Here in m.
North we have forgotten the time when
III sword OF Rober; f. Lee was drawn
Gainst us. We have long ceaseo 70
look upon him as Confederate ~
robert Edward Lee was an American
ana inc great nation which gave him
oir,h would to-day he unworthv ~
sun = son If she looked upon him