Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1917-02-14
only on the honor graduates.

War. He greatly distinguished
himself on a dangerous scouting cx-
pedition, undergoing the peril of
his life at any minute to bring
back the correct report. After each
of the battles, Cerro Gordo, Cheru-
busco and Chepultepec, he was
promoted for the distinguished ard
eminent part he played. The last
promotion was brevetted colonel.
At the battle of Vera Cruz Lee az
ranged all of the artillery. So per-
fectly was it arranged that it aided
greatly in winning the victory.
When Lincoln issued his procla
nation calling for seventy-fve thous
and troops, Maryland, Kentucky,
Missouri, North Carolina, Tennes.
see, South Carolina (already hav-
ing seceded) and Virginia refused
to heed the summons; Robert Ed
nod Ice humbly and nobly laid his
sword on the altar of his state.
swearing to raise it only in her de-
feasc.
He declined the offer made to him
by President Lincoln of Commander
in-Chief of the Union Army. In
turn his mother state made him
Brigadier General. Lee found his
State unprepared for war. He act
ed as commander of the Virginia
troops, recruiting the army and max
ing preparations for the war. When
General Johnston was wounded, Lee
became Commander-in- Chief of the
Confederate Army.
Greater military genius has never
been displayed than his brilliant ca
reer on the fields of Chancellors-
vile and Gettysburg. The splendor
of these battles will ever win for
Lee renowned fame. Carthage with
her Hannibal, Rome with her Caes-
ar, France with her Napoleon, and
England with her Wellington, has
never surpassed America-these
United States, yea the South with
her ROBERT EDWARD LEE.
The College President.
After four years on the field Of
battle our valiant hero returned to
his home of passed pomp.
General Lee put aside many
splendid offers that were made to
him and accepted the Presidency of
Washington College on salary OF
fifteen hundred dollars, though
that was not in sight. There was
positively nothing to attract Gen
eral Lee to accept this offer, but
ne did it from a profound sense Of
duty.
At that time the college was
suffering severe losses caused by
the war between the States. It's
library had been pillaged, the
buildings greatly mutilated, the
money in the treasury exhausted,
and the future prospects very
dark. There were but forty stu
dents attending the college and only
four professors.
The news of General Lees ac-
ceptance flashed over the country
like a flash of electricity. Money
flowed into the treasury, and stu
dents focked to it from all sides.
Let not my readers conclude that
it was only the novelty of this fame
wide man being president that caus-
ed this stream of prosperity to flow.
No! It was wrought by his magic
hand that performed wonders where
ever it was lad.
Lee took Washington College in
it's dilapidated state and infused
new hopes, large visions and fresh
ambitions for the future. He got
in harmony with the students. He
knew each by name, and loved each
individuality. When any parents
came TO see General Lee, to inquire
after his sons progress, he was
able to tell hin exactly how he
stood without referring to his re-
port "~A could even tell them their
sons mark on each subject respec
lively.
Lee had great pride and interest
in every Do., rs though he were his
own son; whenever they did any
thing for which they must be repri-
manded, he was sent for and he
would speak gently, but firmly, to
him as father pleading with his
son, which always proved irresisti-
bic, even moved them to tears, and
had such lasting influence with
them.
The moral and religious character
Of the students was more important
in his eyes even than their literary
o.J ,,,o. ,,,,Ja tho obinct