Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 43.djvu/57

Rh those great generals for them to see, and those young men to see them." A large party of young officers were in the room, among them that brilliant young hero, Major Pelham. Seeing Pelham, General Lee told the girls that the young men of the day were not very worthy of their attention, but that one of his party had a rare virtue—he was very modest. Pelham, who was standing in the rear of the room, blushed like a girl himself. Lee remarked that Major Pelham had a special reason for his modesty that day, because he had on a borrowed coat. Pelham told me as he rode away that it was true, but how General Lee had detected it he could not imagine.