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£l)c Cost Cause.
ROBERT EDMUND LEE.
“Gee. Lee, the Christian warrior and
hero, is dead !” Over the flashing wires
of the telegraph come these solemn words -
Ad own the corridors of time they are re
verberating and re-echobg, startling every
ear, and filling every heart with unfeign
ed sorrow. The grand old General is “a
sleeper in the dust”—his immortal spirit
rests ia its eternal home. Glory crowns
his memory, and virtue and patriotism
weep above his tomb. In him was con
centrated all that constitutes true great
ness—his life a perpetual virtue—his
death a perpetual grandeur—his memory
a perpetual existence. In War a tower
of strength—in Peace—a model of sub
mission to law and order. In War a
leader of cncourgagement —in Peace—
an example for imitation In War, a
host within himself —in Peace, an humble
and patriotic Citizen. So, the world ad
mires Lee—so, the world sheds a tear
for bis loss—so, the world will keep his
name and his fame in cherished remem
brance. So, down the corridors of Time
go reverberating the words, “Gen. Lee,
the Christian Warrior and Patriot Hero
is dead;” but back re-echoes the grander
words, “He is not dead, but sleepeth.”
For he who lives in the hearts of the
people cannot die; his body may mould
er in the dust, but his bettor parts —his
greatness and his glory have an undying
existence. Glorious Immortality crowns
his Spirit—imperishable fame crowns his
memory.
When the uun clouds of War obscured
our Southern sun—and the battle flames
lit up our skies instead—his name was
the talisman that gave us hone and cour
age, and cheered the hearts of those gal
“loys in grey,” who followed their no
ble Chieftain through all the horrors of
that eventful strife.
“As while great Jove, in bronze, a Wardee God,
Gazed eastward from the Forum where he stood,
Rome felt herself secure and free,
So Richmond’s safe, we said, while we
Beheld a bronzed Hero—God-like Lee,
In the land where we were dreaming.”
“A warder god” indeed—a guardian hero
—and with his soldiers a guerdon of
safety to thebeloved and suffering daugh
ters of his own dear land.
When the flames of war had smoul
dered into ashes—and the Sun of Peace
once more gave forth its genial rays, he
“laid down the, sword,” and walked in
the noble paths of Patriotic Citizenship.
Hardly knew the world which tG admire
most —his grandeur in War, or his great
ness in Peace. In both he clothed him
self with that true majesty which is born
alone of true Republican simplicity—the
nobility of genuine manhood. But, alas!
how feeble are the words which flow
from our pen, compared to the merits of
the subject which we have undertaken to
commemorate here! To abler hands we
commit the grateful task, and invite the
aid of those who fought by his side in
War ; who walked by his side in Peace
—w’ho knew him as a Citizen, a Soldier,
and a Patriot. These have wreathed
around his memory a garland of immor
telles, of flowers of rhetoric, and gems
of eloquence, from which we pluck the
most beauteous, and gather them here
into a bouquet of freshness, to be laid
upon the tablet of his fame, a gift of
true hearts to the noble Chieftain of a
glorious Cause.
The Richmond Dispatch, of the loth
instant, contained the following biograph
ical sketch of cur immortal Lee:
“Robert K. Lee was born at Stratford,
in ißo<3 His family has been distin
guished in Virginia for two hundred
years. Two of his grand uncles were
signers of the Declaiatiou of Independ
ence. His father was the famous ‘Light
Horse Harry'of revolutionary fame, who
served terms in the Federal Congress
and as Governor of Virginia, and whose
first wife was also a Lee.
BANNER OF THE SOUTH AND PLANTERS’ JOURNAL.
Robert E. Lee was of the issue of a
second marriage—the second son of
Henry Lee and his wife Anne, daughter
of Charles Carter, of Shirely. As, how
ever, he borrows no greatness from his
ancestry, but was himself the ‘greatest of
a great line,’ we shall say no more as to
his family.
“Robert E. Lee entered West Point
Academy in 1825, and graduated at the
end of the usual term without having
had a demerit mark. In 1829 he was
appointed brevet second lieutenant, and
assigned the corps of topographical en
gineers. He served for several years in
this corps.
In 1832 he was married to Miss Custis,
the daughter of George Washington
Parke Custis, the adopted son of Gener
al Washington. In 1836 he was made
first lieutenant, and in 1838 captain.
During the Mexican war he was on the
staff first of General Wool, and then
General Scott, as chief engineer. At
the batttle of Cerro Gordo, April 18,
1847, he was brevetted major for gallant
ry. At Cbapultepec lie was wounded,
September 13, 1847, and was brevetted
Lieutenant Colonel. Gen. Scott fre
quently spoke of him in his dispatches
as remarkable for his gallantry. Colonel
Lee was next appointed a member of the
Board of Engineers. In 1852 he became
Superintendent of West Point Academy.
In 1855 he was assigned to service in a
cavalry regiment, which took him to the
West. In 1859 he was sent to Harper’s
Ferry to put down the John Brown raid.
March 16, 1861, he was made Colonel
of cavalry in the United States army.
His resignation of his office in that army
was dated April 20, 1861.
“Early in 1861 tho Convention of Vir
ginia selected Gen. Lee as eommander-in
chief of the forces of this State, her for
tunes not having at the time been for
mally united with those of her Southern
sisters. When the State joined the Con
federacy he became a Confederate offi
cer. After the defeat of General Gar
nett by McClellan, and his subsequent
death, General Lee was sent to Northwest
Virginia, where he did not distinguish
himself. He was recalled by Mr. Davis,
and, on account of his great skill as an
engineer, he was sent to examine the de
fences on the Atlantic coast. In May,
1862, McClellan marched up the penin
sula. The battle of Seven Pines took
place, in which Gen. Joseph E. Johnston
was wounded, and Gen. Lee was put in
his stead in command of the Confederate
forces. Soon followed the great battles
before Richmond, from Mechanic*villc
to Malvern Hill, in which Gen. Lee’s
name bocame famous the world over.
In these battles more than ten thousand
prisoners were taken, 52 pieces of ar
tillery, and upwards of 35,000 stand of
small arms. From this time forth the
hopes of the people of the South were
centred in Gen. Lee. The whole army
was placed in his hands. lie it was that
ordered all its movements and was enti
tled to the credit for the strategy employ
ed. He ordered the movements which re
sulted in the famous battles of the follow
ing August—Cedar Mountain, Second
Manassas, Ac. On the 3d of Septem
ber his army crossed the Potomac, and
on the 17th was fought the grand battle
of Sharpsburg. Gen. Lee always claim
ed this as a victory. His army, however,
returned to Virginia at once.
“On the 13th of December, 1862, oc
curred the battle of Fredericksburg, one
of the most complete successes of the
war. In 1863, May 2d, the battle of
the Wilderness was fought. The success
here, too, was complete, but Jackson fell.
Here, too, Gen. Lee showed the great
ness of his heart, in that celebrated let
ter to the dying chieftain, in which he
said that for his country’s sake lie could
wish it had been himself instead of
Jackson that had been wounded. On
the 4th of May the battle was renewed,
and resulted in the defeat of the Federal
army and its retreat with a loss of 17,000
killed, wounded and prisoners, 14 pieces of
artillery, and 30,000 stand of arms. This
was called the battle of Chancellorsville.
“Gen. Lee again marched northwards.
He went into Pennsylvania with his little
army, and there on the 2d and 3d of
July, 1863, fought the bloody battles
which, though rather drawn battles than
victories for either side, much more se
riously damaged that army whose losses
could not be repaired.
“In May, 1864, occurred the battles
of the Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court
House, Ac., Ac. General Grant was con
stantly repulsed, but as constantly re
newed his flank movement until he land
ed upon the banks of the James. There
were many battles of more or less im
portance during 1864 and the beginning
of 1865. April 2d, 1865, occurred the
evacuation of Richmond, and began the
retreat of General Lee’s army from Pe
tersburg April 9, he surrendered a
skeleton of an army to overwhelming
numbers. And thus ended his military
career.
“In August, 1865, General Lee was
made President of Washington College.
His name and fame soon made that a
popular institution. He continued to
hold the position until death.”
Such is a brief biographical sketch
furnished by one who knew him well.
Next we have the following extract from
a speech delivered in Charleston, S. C s
by Gen. R. H. Anderson, a gallant sol
dier who served the Confederate Cause
under the great Chieftain whose virtues
he here extols:
“Whence springs this universal ex
pression of grief? How is it that there
is so deep a siLcerity in our lamentations?
Was he who has just passed away from
amongst us great and prosperous—rich
and powerful, in the common acceptation
of those terms ? Has he loaded us with
benefits ? Has he increased our store of
wealth or of knowledge ? Has he minis
tered to our wants or to our pleasures,
that we love his name and lament his
loss so much ? No, my friends; it is not
from any of these causes that our hearts
are burdened to-day with an overpower
ing sense of loss and deprivation. In
many respects, the very contrary of these
conditions atttended the life and the ca
reer of our dead chieftain. Why then,
do we so dearly love and cherish his
memory? It is because of his spotless
and blameless character, because of his
purity, his piety’ - and benevolence, be
cause of his truth, and magnanimity,
and because of his moderation in pros
perity, and his fortitude in adversity, that
we so love and revere him. Since the
days of the Father of our country no
man has arisen whose fame, and whose
deeds have shed so splendid a lustre
upon the land of his nativity.
“Personally handsome and graceful,
with a face wonderfully attractive through
its manly beauty, its indication of rare
intelligence, and its expression of digni
fied self-possesion and gentle courtesy,
he was animated by a soul of matchless
symmetry and excellence, and approach
ed as nearly as possible to the perfect
man.
‘‘His was the form and the character
which we love to look upon and admire
as representative of our Southern race.
The land which gave birth to such a
man need not be ashamed.
“Adversity and oppression may keep
it back for a time, poverty and anxiety
may depress it, but with such a model
before it, virtue, faith and fortitude will
win the race at last, and place it amongst
the foremost and most favored nations of
the earth.
“I have spoken of the well balanced
elements of Gen. Lee’s mind and soul.
He possessed great talents without vani
ty, courage without rashness, generosity
without weakness, piety and charity with
out ostentation, as an enemy he was with
out hate, as a foe he was without malice,
as a friend lie was without deceit or guile.
Such was the man whose death we de
plore.
General Anderson was followed by
Ilou. C. G. Memminger, late Secretary
of the Confederate Treasury, who said:
Since the days of Gustavus Adolphus
no great military chieftain has been pre
sented to mankind who united so many
virtues with so much genius. Amidst
all the engagements of his great office, he
never overlooked any of the duties of
private life. .Devoted to the interests of
his country, he was in patriotism one of
the great heroes of history, and was
ready, like Epaminondas, or Xenophon,
to lay down his life for its welfare.—
Equally careful in his conduct as a man,
the duties of husband, father and friend,
never failed to command his attention.
It was a beautiful exhibition to sec a
great military chief upon whose word
irmies were dependent, giving heed to
the gentle voices of children, and never
omitting to accept and return their kind
ly attentions. Many are the hearts
through our country which are now
mourning with sad memories over words
or acts of kindness received at his hauls
in the days of his glory and renown.
If General Lee was so mindful of the
lowliest objects of his attention, how
much more nobly did he exhibit the
qualities which adorned him when brought
in contact with those whom lie loved
and esteemed. A radiant goodness
beamed through all his actions; and
while strict integrity and unblending firm
ness marked out his path, a never failing
kindness shed its sun shine around him.
It lighted up all his actions, and, whether
in the field, at the council board, or in
the drawing-room, no one left him with
out the conviction that there was a man
who sought to follow the example of the
author of all goodness.
Can anything in history be pointed
out more noble than this conduct since
the war. In an instant he put aside (it'
be ever had them) all those ieelings which
attend defeat, and in giving lip his sword
he laid down at the footstool of his coun
try’s welfare every resentful feeling.
His immediate counsels led his country
men by precept and example to accept
events as the determination of Providence
and to conform their conduct to them.
With admirable self-control this com
mander of armies brought himself to the
new task of disciplining the mind of the
young and teaching them by bis exam
ple the great lesson of fortitude in adversi
ty. He showed them that the noblest
type of human nature was not that
which repined at suffering, but that
which battled with difficulties and con
verted them into stepping stones.
It was this great example which has
led the South thus far through the mire
of the past and has placed it upon the
foundations of the present, to look for
ward to a better hope in the future. He
has taught us that patient industry aud
honest perseverance are certain sources
of national recovery, and that dishonor
cau only attach to wrong.
But he has taught us a still higher and
nobler lesson. In the height of his
glory, and in the depths of adversity,
General Lee was a true Christian. He
exulted not in the one, nor was he over
come by the other. At all times and in
all places he recognized the presence of
his God, sought and submitted himself
to His guidance. At the head of armies,
amid the din of battle—in the solitude of
his tent—or at his post in a college, he
knew that the Lord saw him, and more
than that, that as his faithful servant,
that same Lord promised to watch over
him and take care of him, and he believ
ed His word. This gave to him a calm
ness in the hour of danger, which never
deserted him; a confidence in adversity
which always encouraged him, and a
hope ia death, which disarms the future
of every terror. He descended to the
grave as a warrior to his rest, and has
now received that true crown of glory,
with which the Great Master wreathes
the brows of all Ilis faithful servants.
Major Henry E. Young, of Gen. Lee's
Staff, paid this tribute to his leader :
Grand in his extreme simplicity, and
sure of the love of those whom with a
word he could hurl to their deaths, there
was no ostentatious guards at head
quarters. Barely enough men for abso
lute necessity were kept there, and seldom
was even the one sentinel seen on his
beat to keep him from interruption when
specially busy. An early riser, he de
voted his early hours to bis maps and
other study. Then came the various and
incessant duties ot the day. And then,
as the evening shades closed in, and work
was over, those camp fires, which will
never be forgotten—camp fires around
which were seen not only his staff but
also many of his heroes. He, the grand
central figure, his sternness laid aside,
seldom laughing, it is true, but with a
countenance lit up with that smile which
once seen can never be forgotten on ac
count of its peculiar sweetness. There
would meet the sturdy “Old War Horse”
of the Army of Northern Virginia—
Longstreet, with his strong common
sense; great in council, great on the bat
tle-field; slow at jokes, but enjoying them
heartily with his deep, low laugh. Jack
son—Stonewall Jackson—with the ab
sorbed gaze of the man wrapt only in the
cause, saying little. Impetuous Hill,
cheerful and chatting always; dear to all.
Old Ewell, keen ot eye, great listener,
speaking seldom. Rugged Early, bent
double with pain and disease, yet with
burning eye, vast and ceaseless energy
and biting sarcasm. Georgia’s fiery
Gordon. Alabama’s knightly Rodes.
Our own “fighting Dick” Anderson—
the “noble, brave soldier,” neither silent
nor talking much, always retiring, with
merit unknown only to himself. Hamp
ton, type ot all that is high, manly and
courteous. Time fails me to speak of
Pender, the hoped for successor to Jack
son; Ramseur and the hosts of other? who
have given their lives willing sacrifices
for our cause. Last and oftenest there,
another peerless son of Virginia, Lee’s
favorite pupil at West Point, between
whom ami his great preceptor there was
a father’s and son's love; with life and
character as pure and spotless as the
bright sword he knew so well to use
the gallant Stuart—“Jeb Stuart” of o ;r
army; enlivening all, especially the “Old
Tycoon,” when depressed and worn, and
sick, with his bright joyous nature, his
cheery laugh. Memories like these
crowd upon me, and as these figures pass
before me, the lofty central figure of
them looms up greater than ever. The
life and spirit, the moving power of that
grand old army—an army worthy of its
leader—a leader worthy of his army.
Need I tell you of the love that army
bore for him ? How, at his bidding, they
went cheering to do or die ? How, no
private soldier, doing his duty, ever heard
a harsh word from him ? His unceasing
kindness and gentleness to all. He suf
fered what they suffered, and made it a
rule not only to indulge himself in no
luxurious ease, but also to discourage it
in all others. When he assumed com
mand of the army, it was common for
general officers, with their staffs, to oc
cupy neighboring houses. Lee immedi
ately refused all offers pressed upon him,
and established his headquarters in tents.
The example soon had its effect; there
were very few officers who were not very
shortly found in tents near their men.
Even when disease was sappino - his
strength, he refused, except when'actu
ally ill, to occupy a house, and the ut
most his staff' could effect was to procure
him a more comfortable tent than usual
His men knew all this, and loved him
without stint. You have ail heard the
story, how, when at the Wilderness, a
part of our line faltered for a moment,
under the immense mass thrown against
it, he put himself at the bead of the
Texas Brigade—the remnants of Hood’s
gallant men—to lead them into the fight.
The whole Brigade halted, and a private,
tall and gaunt, a hardy veteran, stepped
from the ranks, and taking his horse by
the bridle, led him back, telling him that
they would obey him in all things save
this. His life was too dear. The line
should be re-established, but be must
stay where he was. Tears streamed
from these old soldiers, both General and
privates. The General obeyed, and the
promise of these brave men was fulfilled
in a few moments.
At the meeting in Baltimore, Hon.
John A. Campbell, said of him :
I second the adoption of the resolutions.
They refer to two distinct times in the
life of General Lee, which aie full of
interest to every member of this country.
The first is that period of his life whicti
preceded the termination ci the war, and
the second that which followed and ter
minated with his death. It is forty years
since my acquaintance with Gen. Lee
commenced, and it has continued in the
relation cf instructor and pupil. For
nearly twelve months I met him day by
day and received lessons from him.—
There are many who will say that the
same qualities of his early life remained
with him to the close. He was interested
in all, and compassionate, assisting the
weak and instructing those that were
strong. At the Military Academy he
took a distinguished part, and there was
but one who was his peer. He was de
tailed at the end of the year to instruct
a class, which he did, and at the same
time maintained himself in his own class.
In each of the four classes he had the*
highest grade, and after he graduated he
was assigned to the corps of engineers
A long peace followed. When the war
with Mexico begun, and General Scott
was placed in command. Lis eyes at once
turned to General Lee. I once asked
General Scott why he attempted to march
to the City of Mexico with the material
he had. He replied that he was obliged
to do so, as the yellow fever was in Vera
Cruz He said he took two young met
in a room and made the plan of tLa:
campaign, and one cf those men was
General Lee. All the reports of Generel
Scott were full of encomiums of General
Lee. After his return he was promoted.
I have seen something in the papers in
relation to the capture of John Brown.
I was in the Cabinet meeting when a
message was sent to General Lee to know
what had been done, and he replied, giv
ing the facts as they occurred, lie ha !
been sent to Harper’s Ferry in comman I
of a company of marines, and on!\ did
h:s duty T . That Cabinet meeting decal 1
that the United States should not inter
fere, but should be left to Virginia. To '
CONCLUDED OX PAGE SIX.