Recollections and Letters of General Robert E. Lee. Robert E. Lee
early hours—His fondness for animals … … … … . … . 235
Chapter XIV An Ideal Father Letters to Mildred Lee—To Robert—To
Fitzhugh—Interviewed by Swinton, historian of the Army of the Potomac—Improvement in grounds and buildings of Washington College—Punctuality a prominent trait of its President—A strong supporter of the Y.M.C.A … … … … … … … … … … 252
Chapter XV Mountain Rides An incident about “Traveller”—The General’s
love for children—His friendship with Ex-President Davis—A ride with his daughter to the Peaks of Otter—Mildred Lee’s narrative—Mrs. Lee at the White Sulphur Springs—The great attention paid her husband there—His idea of life … … … … … … … 264
Chapter XVI An Advisor of Young Men Lee’s policy as college
president—His advice on agricultural matters—His affection for his prospective daughter-in-law—Fitzhugh’s wedding—The General’s ovation at Petersburg—his personal interest in the students under his care … … … 280
Chapter XVII The Reconstruction Period The General believes in
the enforcement of law and order—His moral influence in the college—Playful humour shown in his letters—His opinion of negro labour—Mr. Davis’s trial—Letter to Mrs. Fitzhugh Lee—Intercourse with Faculty … … . … . 299
Chapter XVIII Mrs. R. E. Lee Goes to Warm Springs for rheumatism—Her
daughter Mildred takes typhoid there—Removes to Hot Springs—Her husband’s devotion—Visit of Fitzhugh and bride to Lexington—Miss Jones, a would-be benefactor of Washington College—Fate of Washington relics belonging to Mrs. Lee’s family … … … … … … 318
Chapter XIX Lee’s Letters to His Sons The building of Robert’s
house—The General as a railroad delegate—Lionised in Baltimore—Calls on President Grant—Visits Alexandria—Declines to be interviewed—Interested in his grandson—The Washington portraits … … … … . … 339
Chapter XX The New Home in Lexington Numerous guests—Further sojourns
at different Baths—Death of the General’s brother, Smith Lee—Visits to “Ravensworth” and “The White House”—Meetings with interesting people at White Sulphur Springs—Death of Professor Preston … … … … … 357
Chapter XXI Failing Health The General declines lucrative positions
in New York and Atlanta—He suffers from an obstinate cold—Local gossip—He is advised to go South in the spring of 1870—Desires to visit his daughter Annie’s grave … … … … … … … . … . 376
Chapter XXII The Southern Trip Letters to Mrs. Lee from Richmond and
Savannah—From Brandon—Agnes Lee’s account of her father’s greetings from old friends and old soldiers—Wilmington and Norfolk do him honour—Visits to Fitzhugh and Robert in their homes … … … … . … 388
Chapter XXIII A Round of Visits Baltimore—Alexandria—A war-talk with
Cousin Cassius Lee—“Ravensworth”—Letter to Doctor Buckler declining invitation to Europe—To General Cooper—To Mrs. Lee from the Hot Springs—Tired of public places—Preference for country life … … . … 412
Chapter XXIV Last Days Letter to his wife—To Mr. Tagart—Obituary
notice in “Personal Reminiscences of General Robert E. Lee”—Mrs. Lee’s account of his death … … … … … … … … … … 431
Chapter I—Services in the United States Army
Captain Lee, of the Engineers, a hero to his child—The family pets—Home from the Mexican War—Three years in Baltimore—Superintendent of the West Point Military Academy—Lieutenant-Colonel of Second Cavalry—Supresses “John Brown Raid” at Harper’s Ferry—Commands the Department of Taxes
The first vivid recollection I have of my father is his arrival at Arlington, after his return from the Mexican War. I can remember some events of which he seemed a part, when we lived at Fort Hamilton, New York, about 1846, but they are more like dreams, very indistinct and disconnected—naturally so, for I was at that time about three years old. But the day of his return to Arlington, after an absence of more than two years, I have always remembered. I had a frock or blouse of some light wash material, probably cotton, a blue ground dotted over with white diamond figures. Of this I was very proud, and wanted to wear it on this important occasion. Eliza, my “mammy,” objecting, we had a contest and I won. Clothed in this, my very best, and with my hair freshly curled in long golden ringlets, I went down into the larger hall where the whole household was assembled, eagerly greeting my father, who had just arrived on horseback from Washington, having missed in some way the carriage which had been sent for him.
There