Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 24.djvu/87

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lid not srr\e to make his <.!>< .111 exception ; and such was the story of his heroic achievements. tlu-y could not mar its brilliancy. It i> much to be regretted that in thr attempt to prove himself inva- riably right, he should have found it necessary to assail < n-nt-ral Lee's motives, and de-fame his character while claiming for himself quali-

a M)ldier and leader superior to those possessed by his old commander.

Very respectfully yours,

WALTER H. TAYLOR.

[From the Richmond Timi-s, August 33. 1896.!

GENERAL LEE TO THE REAR.

Col. W. L Goldsmith, of Mississippi, Witnessed Both Events.

GORDON BEGGING LEE TO RETIRE.

Captain Funkhouser's Graphic Description of the Georgia Soldier Per- suading General Lee to go to the Rear, and then leading the Charge.

No other circumstance of the war has attracted more attention than the references to General Lee, when in the crisis between defeat and victory, he rode in front of soldiers, ready to lead them in the charge. An old circular comes from Texas with an account of an exhibition in which Lee is reported by the Galveston News in the picture, as follows: This heroic man. generally so calm and self- contained, flames like an archangel, above the wreck of war, and inspires all around him with his own elevated yet steadfast intentipn.

"GENERAL LEE TO THE REAR."

Colonel W. L. Goldsmith, Meridian, Miss., writes: The Texan in last Confederate Veteran is correct, and so were other writers who saw General Lee turned back. All are correct, but strange to say, no one gives dates. This would correct everything. I happened to witness both events. One occurred on the 6th of May, 1864, early in the morning when A. P. Hill was being withdrawn to place Longstreet's Corps in position, because of the severe fighting of