A Life of Gen. Robert E. Lee

orces, or superintending the construction of defences, he had failed to achieve any of those successes in the field which constitute the glory of the soldier.

ut of the South. If Richmond were to fall, the Confederate Congress, executive, and heads of departments, would all be fugitives. The evacuation of Virginia might or might not follow, but, in the very commencement of t

o duty was June 3, 1862-three days after General Johnston had retired in consequence of his wound. Thirty days afterward the great campaign around Richmond had been

e into possession of General Lee through his wife, and as Arlington was exposed to the enemy, the ladies had taken refuge here, with the hope that they would be safe from intrusion or danger. The result was unfortunate. The White House was a favorable "base" for the Federal ar

forbear to desecrate the home of his first married life,

GHTER OF MRS

sion of the place, a Northern offic

ur property, in sight of the enemy,

th her daughters in a friend's house near Richmond, and, when a Federal officer was sent to se

tisfied that there is nothing here which they want. All the plate and other valuables have long since been r

ERT LEE, GEN

as the scene of Washington's first interview with Martha Custis, who afterward became his wife. He was married either at St. Peter's Church near by, or in the house which originally stood on

d. On taking command, Lee had assiduously addressed himself to the task of increasing the efficiency of the army: riding incessantly to and fro, he had inspected with his own eyes the condit

. The official record, if in existence, is not accessible, and the matter must be left to conjecture. It is tolerably certain, however, that, even after the arrival

ederate; but this was comparatively an unimportant fact. The event