Page:Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography (1900, volume 7).djvu/200

LEE, Alfred Emory, journalist, b. in Barns- Tille, Belmont co., Ohio. 17 Feb.. 1838. lie was graduated at Ohio Wesloyan university in 1859, and at the State and Union law college, Cleve- land, Ohio, in 1861. He entered the National army as a private, rose to a captaincy in the 82d Ohio volunteers, and was severely wounded at Gettysburg. He served in the Ohio legislature in 1807-9. became collector of U. S. internal revenue for the 8th district of Ohio in 1870, private secre- tary to Gov. Rutherford B. Hayes in 1876, and U. S. consul-general at Frankfort, Germany, in 1877-83. During his occupancy of this post he was the first to advocate the establishment of sample depots of American products in European countries. While a member of the legislature he was the author of the bill to provide for a geologi- cal survey of Ohio, lie became secretary of the Gettysburg memorial commission of Ohio. Mr. Lee edited the Delaware (Ohio) "Gazette," was editor of the " Daily Ohio State Journal," and a frequent contributor to current literature.

LEE, Fitzhugh, soldier, b. in Clermont, Fair- fax CO., Va., 19 Nov., 1835. His grandfather was Light Horse Harry Lee of the Revolution and his father was Admiral Sidney Smith Lee, brother of Gen. Robert E. Lee ; on his mother's side he is the grandson of George Mason, author of the bill of rights. Fitzhugh grew up a strong, sturdy, active Vir- ginia boy. His family had pro- duced many mili- tary men, and he could not resist the hereditary im- f)ulse ; according- y, in 1853 he en- tered the U.S. mili- tary academy. His record in scholar- ship was not re- markably good. He was, however, an excellent horse- man, and when he was graduated in 1856 he joined the

2d U. S. cavalry

in the west as 2d lieutenant. The Indians were troublesome, and the regiment saw much service against them. In 1859 he was severely wounded by an Indian arrow. When he recovered he was ordered, in May, 1860, to West Point as instructor in calvary tactics. He held this position until the outbreak of the civil war, when he resigned and entered the Confederate service. He was first assigned to staff duty as lieutenant upon the staff of Gen. Ewell. Until September, 1861, he was ad- jutant-general of the brigade. At tliis latter date he was chosen lieutenant-colonel in the 1st Virginia cavalry. His regiment was under command of Gen. J. E. B. Stuart, and his dashing vigor, com- bined with soldierly obedience, brouglit him quick promotion. As colonel he took part in all the campaigns of the Army of northern Virginia. On 25 July, 1863, lie was made brigadier-general, and on 3 Sept., 1863, major-general. In the battle of Winchester, 19 Sept., 1864, three horses were shot under him, and he was disabled by a severe wound, which kept him from duty for several months. In March, 1865, he was put in command of the whole cavalry corps of Lee's army, and some of his most brilliant fighting was done upon the retreat from Petersburg to Appomattox. The cause was lost, however, and in April he surrendered to Gen. Meade at Parmville. He was still a young man, but it was almost a perilous course for one of his years, knowing only a military life, to settle down upon a farm to draw his support from the soil. It was practically the only course open to him, however, so after his marriage he began work upon his im- poverished estate in Stafford county. Here he lived the quiet life of a private citizen and farmer for twenty years. Several times during the period his name had been brought forward as a candidate for governor, but he made no active efforts and the movements had failed. In the winter and spring of 1883-'3, lie made a tour through the southern states in the interest of the Southern his- torical society. The Democrats had regained con- trol of the legislature in 1883, and had passed an election law that seemed to assure them future success. In 1885 Lee was nominated their candi- date for governor in opposition to John S. Wise. Both candidates were men of unquestioned honor and ability : both could appeal to an illustrious lineage — an appeal always listened to by the Vir- ginia voter. Lee. however, had the advantage of the party organization and of his record in the Confederate service. After an exciting campaign he was elected by a small plurality. As governor he served the state acceptably and well. When his term expired he withdrew to his home, but soon took part in a scheme for the promotion of a "boom" town, Glasgow, situated on a farming tract that was supposed to be rich in coal, iron, and various other minerals. The " boom " ran its usual course and then collapsed, leaving lice a poorer man than ever and somewhat discredited as a financier, although no imputations were put upon his integrity. His experience in this affair was one of the causes of his loss of election as U. S. senator. He was fortunate, however, in se- curing the appointment of revenue collector from Cleveland. Just before the close of the president's term this position was changed for the more con- genial post of consul-general at Havana. Here his southern training and traditions made hira a favorite personally with the punctilious Span- iards, and his military instincts carried him safely through the dangers of his official position. The Cuban rebellion having begun, relief ex- peditions were- organized on American soil, a portion of the press and public clamored for inter- vention in the island by the United States: the responsibilities of the American consul at Havana increased each day. President McKinley showed commendable common sense when he retained under his administration the Democrat appointed to the post by President Cleveland. AH the ad- vantages of a continuous policy were thereby secured, which indeed was most necessary. The concentrating policy adopted by Weyler resulted in crowding into the towns a great mass of help- less non-combatants, whose situation was hopeless in the extreme ; for, naturally improvident, they refused or failed to cultivate the little strips of land provided for them, and in consequence died off in droves from starvation and disease. The reports spread abroad in the United States that many of them were American citizens led Presi- dent McKinley, on 17 May, 1897. to ask from congress an immediate appropriation of $50,000 for their relief ; the sum was voted at once and was intrusted to Lee for distribution. Three months later he reported that he had expended less than one-fifth of the sum voted, that he had fed and cared for every American in distress that