Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1918-04-05
LIGHT HORSE
HARRY LEE.
Famous Commander Of Revolu-
ton Was Intimate Friend Of
Washington.
DIED 100 YEARS AGO.
A Famous Figure In Our His
tory Whose Death Is Re
called This Week. Was
Great Soldier.

One hundred years ago occurred the
death of General Henry Lee, famous
commander of the Revolution, init
mate friend of Washington. and father
of General Robert Z. Lee, who COM
manded the armies of the Confederate
States in the Civil War
Few figures in the war of the
American Revolution were so pictur-
esque as that of Henry Lee, familiar
ly known as Light Horse Harry"
Born in Westmoreland County. Va.
in 1856, he belonged to a family that
has been conspicuous in the history
of Virginia since the earliest days
He was a great-grandson of Col Rich
ard Lee man of wealth and distinc-
ton, who sold his estate in England
and came TO America about 1910, as
secretary of the Virginia colony and
a member of the Kings privy council
Henry Lee received his education
at the College of New Jersey, gradu-
ating in 1876. Prevented from visit
ing Europe by the preparations for ac-
tive revolution, he returned to Vir-
ginia end at the age of 20 began his
remarkable military career by recruit
ing a company of light horse" of
which he was made captain. In 1777
he joined Washingtons Army in
Pennsylvania.
1t was soon discovered that though
little more than a boy no man in the
army had better ideas of discipline
or was more successful in the en-
forcement of them. He took the most
excellent care of his men and horses
and trained them so perfectly that he
could easily surpass every other COM
mander in the celebrity of his move
ments and the rapidity and accuracy
with which he could obtain informa-
ton of the movements of the enemy.
Lees Legion" became a synonym
for swift and daring action, and the
captains company was selected by
Washington to act as the commander
in-chief's body guard at the battle of
Germantown. He was promoted
major for gallant conduct in battle in
January, 177S, and was given COM
mand of two troops of horse and a
company of infantry. This corps con-
stantly hung on the flank of the Brit
ish army and annoyed both their
march and camp.
On July 10, 1879. Lee surprised the
British troops in garrison at PauIus
Rock. New York harbOr. infiicting
great damage. capturing 100 prison
ers, and escaping with only two men
killed and three wounded. For this
exploit he received a gold medal from
Congress
Less than two years later he was
promoted to lieutenant colonel and
marched his legion to South Carolina,
where he covered the rear of Cen
eral Greenes army, giving occasional
opportunity for Tarleton's dragons to
measure swords with the Virginians
AT every encounter Lee proved him
self to be the master of Tareton at the
impetuous tactics for which the Eng
lish officer was distinguished.
At the battle Of Guilford Court
House his legion proved more than a
match for TarletOns Dragons When
General Greene marched against Cam
den he sent Lee and Marion to cut off
Rawdon's communications with the
seacoast and they captured Fort
Watson, which forced Rawdon to
abandon and burn Camden. On May
%, Lee reached Augusta, Ga, which
city also fell into his hands
At the close of the war Lee settled
down in his family mansion in Vir-
ginia. But in 1856 he came to Con-
gress from Virginia, subsequently
served in the Virginia House of Dele
gates, and became Governor of the
/ Commonwealth in 1892. Washington
had the warmest regard and greatest
esteem for Lee, and when the whisky
| instruction broke out in Pennsyl-
vania in 1874 Lee was appointed com
mander of the army of $4,000 men that
was formed to put down the disturb
ance
Lee was in Congress in 1893 when
Washington died, and was appointed
by the House to deliver the eulogy.
1t was in this address that Lee gave
expression to the celebrated descrip-
ton of Washington as First in war.
first in peace and first in the hearts
of his count rvmpu -