GEN. HENRY (LIGHT HORSE HARRY) LEE.

Away back in 1771, George Washington wrote: "I know of no county that can produce a family, all distinguished as clever men, as our Lees." These brothers were: Philip Ludwell, Richard Henry Thomas, Francis Lightfoot, Henry, and Arthur. Richard Henry was a well known historian, and he was author of the resolution that "These colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states." He and his brother, Francis Lightfoot, were signers of the Declaration of Independence. He would probably have been recorded in history as the author of the Declaration of Independence in place of Jefferson, but for his wife's illness, which caused his absence from council at that particular time.

When a student at Princeton, Henry Lee was reported as a "diligent student, a genius, and strict in his morality." This was by Dr. Wm. Shippen.

He was about to embark for England when the American Revolution began, and he "substituted the sword for the law book." He was distinguished for keeping close to the enemy. In his "Light In his "Light Horse" command, Peter Johnston, who joined the legion at sixteen, led the "forlorn hope" at Fort Watson, and was publicly thanked. Johnston afterward became Judge Johnston. The interest in this reminiscense becomes intensified in the fact, that these distinguished soldiers were the fathers of Robert Edward Lee and Joseph Eggleston Johnston, and that they were class-mates at West Point.

On February 18, 1780, Gen. Nathaniel Greene wrote to the President of Congress that he was more indebted to Light Horse Harry Lee than to any other for advantages gained over the enemy.

While Gen. Henry Lee was governor of Virginia, 1792 to 1795, a remote section of the "Old Dominion." lying between Kentucky and Tennessee, about Cumberland, Ga., was formed into LEE county.

"Light Horse Harry" Lee was distinguished as a "dashing dragoon" in the war of the colonies against Great Britain. His boldness and chivalry were frequently commended by Washington, and he was ever zealous in his devotion to Washington. He was a member of Congress when Washington died, and in his address, delivered by appointment,

he used the phrase: "First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his fellow-citizens"—not "countrymen" as has been substituted.

When the war of 1812 came upon our country, famous "Light Horse Harry" Lee-a title indelible as Stonewall to Jackson—was made a Major-General of the United States Army, but received injuries in resisting an angry mob, in Philadelphia, which prevented his taking command of the army, but caused him to go to the West Indies, and was ultimately the cause of his death.

His last letters to his son, Charles Carter Lee, were literary models, and were designed especially to impress education, religion, and morality upon his children. He wrote: "Robert was always good, and will be confirmed in his happy turn of mind by his ever watchful mother." Robert was the youngest.

After five years absence--having given up hope of recovery he took passage in a New England schooner, bound from Nassau for Providence and Boston. Upon nearing the coast of the United States he became so much worse that he requested the Captain to direct his course to Cumberland Island, where his friend, Nathaniel Greene, had left an estate, and where his married daughter, Mrs. Shaw, resided-Dungeness, the most beautiful and attractive residence on the Georgia coast." His surroundings there were as pleasant as nature and art could furnish, but his sufferings became intense, and he survived but two months.

The foregoing interesting and reliable data has been culled from Fitzhugh Lee's Life of the son, Gen. R. E. Lee. The picture on front page is copied from one kindly sent by Gen. G. W. C. Lee, President of the Washington-Lee University, having been specially requested this month for the VETERAN.

Capt. B. L. Ridley tells a significant story of Samuel Davis' determination in their school-boy days. They were students at old Jefferson, Tennessee, under Freeman, who afterwards commanded a battery under Forrest, and was killed in battle; and Rufus McLean, now of Lebanon, Tennessee. Freeman had a very serious case in hand, but could not get at the perpetrator, and he undertook to induce young Davis to tell who did it, but as the matter was pressed in an exasperation, he broke into a cry, and said: "You can kill me, but I won'

FELLOW SCOUT OF SAMUEL DAVIS.

R. B. Anderson, of Denton, Texas, writes about the Samuel Davis tribute in June VETERAN, and much of the operation of scouts in the service. Comrade Anderson is Adjutant of Sul Ross Camp, No. 129, U. C. V. Extracts from his letter are here given:

I was a member of Bragg's scouts at the time, and knew Sam Davis well and loved him as a brother. I do not remember Mr. Brown. Carter and

Munk Jobe were shot at Franklin after being cap tured. Another (his name escapes me now) was killed at Elkton. Ben Douglas was killed near Nashville, and many others went out whose fates we never knew.

At the time of Davis' capture, I remember the following of our scouts: Capt. Henry Shaw, Aleck Gregg, Will Hughes, Sam Davis, Sam Roberts, Newt Vaughn, Billie Moore, and Bob Owen.

When Gen Bragg was at Murfreesboro, there was an agreement formed between him and the commandder of the Federal forces, by which each one could send scouts into the other's lines, dressed in their own uniform and armed, who, in case of capture, were to be treated as regular prisoners of war. This was made known to me when I was detailed to report to Capt. Shaw in May, 1863, as one of his scouts. I was a member of Company E, First Tennessee Cavalry. Our service became so efficient that we frequently furnished our army with northern papers before the Federals got them. These things so angered the commander of the Federal forces that he offered a reward for our capture. We frequently had communications in writing, with no name signed, which evidently came from some one high in authority in the Federal Army. None of the scouts knew the author of these dispatches, with the exception of Capt. Shaw, and probably Sam Davis. I know I did not, and I had the word of others that they didn't know who it was.

We had places, some near Nashville, some near Franklin and Columbia, where would be secreted these dispatches in certain hollow trees, under rocks, etc. Our friends, of course, furnished us all the information they could, and northern papers, too. Capt. Shaw invariably took the written communications, revised them, and signed them with the name of Coleman. Our main headquarters was in the hills near Campbellsville, Giles county, all the first part of the winter, and a courier line ran from us to headquarters at Chattanooga, which was required to make fast time.

Just after the battle of Chickamauga, Sam Davis and Will Hughes came in from near Nashville on Monday morning with important dispatches, stating the demoralized condition of the Federal Army. Sam Roberts and I were at headquarters, having come in during the early part of the night; and the courier line having been interrupted between us and Decatur, we started within a half hour after Davis and Hughes arrived, or as soon as Captain Shaw could arrange the dispatches. We were ordered to make all possible speed to the army, and told to im

press it on Gen. Bragg, that Rosencrans had said he was at the mercy of the Rebel Army.

We made the distance, about 120 miles, in thirtysix hours on the same horses. Gen. Bragg ordered Shaw and the scouts to move up to the army, which was a mistake, as we were ordered back at once on arriving at Missionary Ridge, and on returning to our old headquarters, near Campbellsville, the men were sent out in all directions. Roberts and I were the first to return, and were sent immediately with our information to the end of the courier line at Decatur, Ala., as we had not been able to keep it going on the other side of the river.

Sam Davis came in two days after we left with most important information and dispatches, and as there was no one at headquarters to carry them on, he started with them himself. He had been up four days and nights, and his bay mare, which was one of the best I ever saw, was all broken down, but he still had confidence in the speed and endurance of his faithful steed, and started out by the way of Bainbridge, as the whole country was full of Federals between him and Decatur.

As to Davis' capture, I will say that he was captured under the bluff at the ferry at Bainbridge. When he saw there was no chance for him to escape he took out a package of papers and threw them away out in the river, and a Federal soldier followed them down until they came near enough the shore for him to get them. (This we got from the ferryman.) Davis was taken back to Pulaski, and at Lawrenceburg the command that captured him divided, part of them going through the hills at Campbellsville, and at the house of one Mr. Schuler they captured an old seedy, awkward looking man in citizen's clothes, who went by the name of Dr. Shaw. He claimed to be an ex-surgeon in the Rebel Army, and they took him to Pulaski and placed him in the same prison with Sam Davis. They had there the man whom the Federal authorities were using every effort in the world to capture, and still they were ignorant of their great prize.

After Davis' death, and Shaw's capture, Aleck Gregg was placed in command of the scouts. We operated on the same line and in the same way until in April, 1864, when Johnston fell back from Dalton, and we went back to our commands. I continued scouting for the army until the close of the

war.

On the 9th of April, 1865, I was passing Gen. Wheeler's headquarters on my way to the Federal rear, when an old haggard, emaciated man called me by name. I recognized him after a time as Captain Shaw. He had been exchanged only a short time, and was hunting some of his scouts. I could not help shedding tears, when he told me how Sam Davis died to save his life, and how he had pleaded with him to tell who he was, and save his own life, but Davis would not hear to it, and said that if he were to tell, Gen. Dodge would then murder both. Capt. Shaw was killed in a steamboat explosion soon after the war.

Let us draw a veil over these heart-rending scenes, hoping that in the final day God will render justice. to all. But let us ever do reverence to the brave, of which there was none more worthy than Sam Davis.

In a letter to Mrs. John A. Jackson, of Pulaski, Tenn., June 18, '95, Gen. G. M. Dodge writes:

**

"Davis was dressed in a semi-Confederate uniform, the coat of which was similar to that of our Infantry. He was a man of fine appearance and good address, and I never understood until some time after why he was so determined not to give up any of the names of those who furnished him with the documents that he had.

Part of them were in his saddle and part were upon him. He also had with him some articles for Gen. Bragg. It appears that at the time I also captured Col. Shaw, who was Bragg's chief scout, and also Joshua Brown, who was another scout; but upon Shaw and Brown was found no evidence that they were spies. They claimed to be Confederate soldiers on furlough, and I sent them one to Johnson Island, and the other to Rock Island. It also appears that most of the articles and information that Davis had, had been given him by Chief Shaw.

* * It was a great relief, as I afterward learned, to Shaw, and while I supposed he was trying to save some citizen or Captain Coleman, he was actually trying to save Bragg's chief of scouts who was then in my custody. If I had known that fact of course things would have been different. However, Davis left me no alternative."

There is much more written in connection with the Coleman" scouts than can be used in this VETERAN. The model character of Samuel Davis has kindled anew the courage and firmness of the Confederate soldier element, and it points afresh to principles that are more than life. Gen. R. B. Snowden, of Memphis, refers to Gregg, mentioned in the report to Col. McKinstry, just after stating that Davis had returned to their headquarters, and states that he was Adjutant of his regiment, the Twenty-fifth Tennessee:

He was a Scotchman by birth, but lived in Nashville when the war commenced, and enlisted with Company B, Rock City Guards. His name. Alex. Gregg, a relation of old Gregg, the baker and confectioner. He was the most remarkable scout I ever knew, and was constantly doing something startling. If Capt. Blackmore does not do him justice in his article on Bushrod Johnson's Brigade, I will some time give you a short sketch ot this remarkable man. He was with Davis, Joplin, McReeves, Roberts, Brown, and others around Nashville.

T. M. Hargis, Carthage, Mo., writes: My uncle. Samuel Adams, belonged to the Texas Rangers under Hood, having enlisted at Waco, Texas. When last heard from, he was in the hospital at Richmond, Va., badly wounded. He wrote of a John Dillon as his comrade. We would appreciate any information about him.

Under date of June 20, Comrade W. M. McConnell, Adjutant of R. E. Lee Camp, Fort Worth, Texas, writes that at the last meeting the VETERAN was unanimously adopted as the official organ.

where a young lady was playing "Annie Laurie." He fell in love with the beautiful player at sight, and they were married on April 15th. The wedding was a sensation, and in response to a serenade he made a thrilling speech.

After the capitulation of Vicksburg, Capt. Burem called upon Gen. Grant, who graciously gave him permission to take a carriage and servant with his bride through the lines. They visited his home in Hawkins county, where he remained but a short time.

After being exchanged, he reorganized his company, and was soon at the front. Near Piedmont, Va., on the ill-fated Sunday of June 5, 1864, he was killed while resisting an assault by the enemy. Capt. Burem's body was never recovered; but his father erected a handsome monument to his memory in the family burying ground in his native county. B. L. RIDLEY'S JOURNAL-Continued.

(COMING HOME FROM GREENSBORO, N. C.) April 28, 1865. After the famous battle order No. 18, Lieut. R. C. Stewart and I concluded to get ahead of the disbanded army n the way home, so we could find forage for man and beast. We left camp last night with three headquarter wagons (Stewart's, Lauderdale's and Sevier's) and one ambulance. Rode all night and are now in camp, seven miles from Lexington, on the Danville road.

April 29. Remained here to-day. A great many people visited us to exchange forage for spun thread: that is our currency now. Sent messenger to Gen. Stewart, who waited to see men paroled, and to bring our paroles.

April 30.-Made a Sabbath day's journey across the Yadkin, finding forage scarce. Left a letter for Gen. Stewart, and drove ten miles further before learning that the ferryboat at Brown's Ferry had been removed. Went into camp about five miles from river, and sen tout Capt. Hughes and two others to examine and report a safe place of crossing; also sent courier back to Gen. Stewart. When we cross the Yadkin will await orders for fear of falling in with the "Philistines," who might give

us trouble, without proper papers. Omitted to mention that my father (Chancellor Bromfield Ridley, of Tennessee) joined our company yesterday at Lexington, and will be of our party to Georgia and to Tennessee. Camp to-night in Davidson county.

May 1. This beautiful day augurs pleasant weather for our long journey homeward. The fact of our surrender will occupy a noticeable place in history, that the "Military Convention," as it is called in Gen. Johnston's order, took place near Greensboro, N. C., in the county of Guilford, within five miles of the battle of Guilford, celebrated in the history of the old Revolution as one of the bloodiest of that war. It was fought by Generals Greene and Cornwallis, with success to the American arms. Aiken, our courier, just returned 5 p. m., reports that the army is being paroled rapidly, but friends will not overtake us before to-morrow or next day.

May 2.-Forage scarce; strike tents; cross the Yadkin at Haiston's Ferry and wait for our friends; in the meantime have the mules shod and mend the ambulance. Are now on the Knoxville road, near Peter Haiston's elegant residence, and, upon invitation, partake of the hospitality of his home. The lady of the house was Miss Fanny Caldwell, daughter of Judge Caldwell, of Salisbury, and a granddaughter of the celebrated Bailey Henderson, of North Carolina. Her husband is a man of wealth, and lives in magnificent style. It is a home for southern soldiers. This Mr. Haiston is the wealthiest man in North Carolina. He was the owner of seven hundred and fifty negroes, and twenty-five thousand acres of land in North Carolina and Virginia. Stragglers made an effort to get our mules last night, but failed, after a few shots from our Irish guards, who are sleeping on this campaign with one eye open.

May 3.-Maj. Lauderdale has arrived with tidings from our General, and our paroles. The troops of different states are to be placed under a general of their states, and transportarion so divided that soldiers can get home. Enough arms were given for guard duty while en route. Gen. J. B. Palmer takes charge of Tennesseans, and Gen. Stewart hopes to overtake us, whenever everything touching his corps is completed.

May 4.-Now for our journey of over two hundred miles. To-day we traveled only fourteen miles, crossing the south fork of the beautiful Yadkin. Camp on another plantation of Peter W. Haiston's, twelve miles northwest of Salisbury. Have fared well; struck forage, eggs, coffee, onions and fish; found a little oasis in the arid desert. While our hearts are heavy over the recent surrender, we are glad that we are going home.

Oh, that word Peace! Peace is the sweetest word I ever heard, except that other word Home!-sweet, sweet home." Our march hence is through to Lincolnton, forty-five miles. Start to travel now at the rate of twenty-five miles a day. Capt. John Oliver, who dammed Mill Creek under Gen. Stewart's supervision, near Rocky Face Ridge, in January, 1864, and changed Sherman's course, came up with me yesterday, and gave me an elegant Colt's pistol.

May 5.-Stoneman, in his last raid through this part of North Carolina, burnt the bridges, so while

striving to go the nearest way to Lincolnton, we changed our route three or four miles. Have traveled twenty-six or seven miles to-day, and pitched tents twelve miles from Beattie's Ford, on the Catawba River. At this ford live the families of the late Judge Burton and Alfred Burton, first cousins of my paternal grandfather.

May 6.-Crossed the beautiful Catawba at Beattie's Ford, one-fourth mile wide. It is full of historic interest connected with Revolutionary times. Our party called to see, and was warmly received by Robt. A. Burton and a number of ladies. Overtook our wagons seven miles from Lincolnton in camp, having traveled twenty-two miles.

May 7. Started at seven; came to Lincolnton; called to see Mrs. Fannie Hoke, daughter of Judge Robt. Burton, and the mother of Maj.-Gen. Hoke, the hero of the battle of Plymouth. She treated us royally; remembered to have met my father when he was only fifteen. Having lost our coffee pot in camp, she generously provided another. Overtook our wagons at Mr. McGill's, eighteen miles from Lincolnton. Our cook, Jim, made us an excellent pot of coffee in our "Hoke coffee pot." Near camp we found Col: James E. Bailey, of Clarksville, Tenn., Hardee's Command, who was likewise en route to Tennessee.

May 8.-Left our camp this morning at seven, and in a few hours were in the state of South Carolina, Spartanburg district. We passed in view of King's Mountain. N. C., near to which the celebrated battle was fought, Oct. 7, 1770, by Gen. Campbell on the American side, and Gen. Ferguson commanding the British forces. My recollection is that the Americans had a force of 1500, and the British 800 men only, but they were stationed on the coneshaped mountain almost impregnable; yet, after a hard fought battle, victory perched on the American arms. Col. T. F. Sevier, our Inspector-General, is of the same ancestral line as our first governor of Tennessee, Col. John Sevier, who attained great prominence in that battle. prominence in that battle. [In the Tennessee Historical Society there is a gold mounted sword given to Col. John Sevier for his achievements at King's Mountain.] We have crossed Broad River at Cherokee Iron Works, owned partly by Col. Campbell, of Chester, S. C. Have gone into camp, having traveled twenty-two miles on the roughest road yet encountered. Near King's Mountain, I saw woman who was my ideal of a veritable mountain maid. She emerged from a little cabin after a bucket of water, barefooted, bareheaded, and evidently with but a single garment on. She had the pearliest teeth, "eyes like twin forget-me-nots beneath the moonbeam's glint," lips like the cherry, complexion as fair as the lily, feet as beautifully moulded as nature or art e'er made, hair as glistening as black polished ebony, a nose as beautifully carved as that of any fabled nymph. Gosh! she was a beauty. I approached, and with her lily white hand she dipped the bucket in the spring, and gave me a drink. Zounds! she was the top blossom of the mountain, and prettier than any flower in the valley.

We are getting restless about our stock-no organization-straggling soldiers threatening to take

them they swarm everywhere, some travel fifty miles a day, going to see father and mother, and wife and children and loved ones, and oh, the young bloods going to see "The Girl I left Behind Me." That old song comes impressively before me now. Have sung Just Before the Battle, Mother," Tramp, Tramp, Tramp the Boys Are Marching," "Joe Bowers," "Lorena," "Maryland," "Dixie," and "When This Cruel War Is Over." But light up the campfire, boys, tune up the fiddle and the bow, bring in the old tambourine, and listen, oh! listen! to the tune of "The Girl I left Behind Me." As the spirit-stiring strains fall on old Jim's (our cook) ears, he begins to pat, and the soul-inspiring sound attracts servant Hannibal, who begins to dance, and the welkin fairly rings, when we come to that verse:

"If ever I get through this war,

And Lincoln's chains don't bind me,
I'll make my way to Tennessee-
To the girl I left behind me.'

Capt. R. D. Smith, Columbia, Tenn., July 15, 1895: In the June number of the VETERAN you publish a part of Lieut. B. L. Ridley's Journal, giving an account of the surrender, in which he gives the famous "General Order Number Eighteen," which he states "is the last I shall ever receive from Gen. Jos. E. Johnston, and the last of the organized army of the Confederacy."

In this connection let me offer you for publication the last order that I received, which should accompany the famous "General Order" referred to above, as it will be of interest to the future historian.

"Headquarters Stewart's Corps, A. T., Ordnance office, Near Greensboro, N. C., May 2nd, 1865:

By instructions from Army Headquarters, the circular from this office, dated April 28th, requiring four-fifths of the small arms, accoutrements, and ammunition to be turned into the Ordnance Office, at, Greensboro, is changed so as to require sixsevenths (6-7) of the small arms, etc., to be turned in. The difference between the amounts already turned in and six-sevenths of the ordnance stores on hand on April 26th, last, will be immediately sent to Capt. Jasper Myers, Ordnance officer, U. S. A., Greensboro.

Division Ordnance Officers are charged with the execution of this order. W. D. HARDEN,

Captain and Chief Ord. Officer, Stewart's Corps. TO CAPT. R. D. SMITH,

Ordnance Officer Walthall's Division.

COMMENTS ABOUT "LADY RICHARDSON.”

Rev. A. T. Goodloe, Station Camp, Tenn.: This magnificent and somewhat celebrated cannon belonged to a Yankee battery at Corinth, which was stormed and captured by the Thirty-fifth Alabama and Ninth Arkansas regiments, October 3,

General Rust, then commanding our brigade, was in the immediate rear of the Thirty-fifth Alabama, to which I belonged, when he ordered the charge; and he thought this regiment alone did the work, as the regiment between us and the Ninth Arkansas did not advance. After the fight he

brought General Lovell, then commanding that army, around to our regiment and presented us to him as the troops that drove the massed forces of Yankee infantry from their entrenchments and captured their battery. Gen. Lovell remarked: "Well, boys, you did that handsomely." I have thought that General Rust did not observe, in the rush of the battle, that the Ninth Arkansas and Thirty-fifth Alabama touched each other before we reached the battery. The Yankees gave up the "Lady Richardson" very reluctantly, and W. G. Whitefield, a private in Company D, Thirty-fifth Alabama, gave chase to the last one that left it, nearly catching him at the start, but the Yankee was too fleet for him. This incident was the occasion of Whitefield being made first sergeant of his company at my suggestion. He is now a prosperous tobacco leaf merchant at Paducah, Ky.

I have written this mainly to correct a mistake of an honored comrade in the June CONFEDErate VetERAN, in regard to the capture of the "Lady Richardson" at the Corinth fight. I was acting as Lieutenant of Company D, of my regiment at the time, but it was before my commission had reached me. W. G. Whitefield, First Sergeant, Company D, Thirty-fifth Alabama Regiment Paducah, Ky.:

I have seen several articles about the twentypound Parrott gun, "Lady Richardson," but have never seen any account of who captured it. The Thirty-fifth Alabama and Ninth Arkansas captured it October 3, 1862, at Corinth, Miss. One of her shots struck a large tree, just a few feet from my head, and tore it to pieces. One of my company, who was deaf, W. C. Collins, turned his head to one side and looked up as though he heard it. "Lady Richardson" was named for the wife of Senator Richardson, of Illinois, and I understood that it was manned by a Chicago company. I can testify that they stood to their work bravely, for many of them never left their posts. I was the first man, or with the first, to pass by within a few feet of this gun. The Ninth Arkansas and Thirty-fifth Alabama were the two regiments who charged her from the west, passing on and reforming some two hundred yards beyond, when some other troops came, apparently from the north side, wounded one of my regiment and placed their flag on the guns. Our first impression was that the Yanks were flanking us. I suppose we opened fire on the "Lady" at about two hundred yards range and never ceased until we halted some two or three hundred yards beyond. Mr. Henry Hand, Gen. Rust's Adjutant, is living here, and says my statement is correct. Rev. A. T. Goodloe, of Station Camp, Tenn., will, I expect, be heard from, as he had me promoted for trying to catch the last Yank who left the "Lady." I am of the opinion that the Twenty-second Mississippi really believed she captured the "Lady." I did not do a great deal in the four years in Infantry, but I do want my own, and no more.

J. Mont Wilson, Springfield, Mo., wrote in Nov.: I notice in one of the late issues of the VETERAN some mention of the "Lady Richardson," a piece of artillery. It would be interesting to many of us to have a history of this gun, and what became of