University of South Carolina Libraries
T3?TOT&lA?uS. C. -... f rbn i I i."*f ?<i >;-?;.? f. i (,i Friday ^^^^^^^^^ KN^cres* of ??+i'c>l.tar?^TKe V*e of'*' ?WWilgio'r iE i Wo are essentially au agricultural poo<* pie in thia Sf <*te. ?ur1 ^tppurty'?ooBiats { mainly in land, and-our means ?l living ?come prineipally from the qrapai^.yields. These have been-'generally satisfactory, or at least were Wo befqr^tlteiaerfloua de raugement of our labor1 wya'tomv It is trae that, many yearn ago, t^?'jjjcdj cotton and sugar lands Of the S^plfc^tet drew ?away from us large' numbers i of our planters. South Carolina has box repre? sentatives in Georgia,' Tennessee, Flori? da, Alabama, Louisiana, Ar&aueas and Texas? They hava dona much for those States J^y1 tho wealth and reaonroes whioh they carrjed, wjth , idiom, by their aotive intelligence, sturdy enterprise and liberal feeling, ?nd by the sooitd habita'aud ro? ll ns men is whioh they introduced and cultivated wherever they went. Our old State would to-day make a different showing in the census .as .to its area in .cultivation, itp products, and its popula? tion, if to the exertions and labors of the sons who remained ou its ?oll ??uld be added .those of them who sought their fortune* far away in tho West. With the changes arising from a new organiza? tion ot labor, from-tho redaction of working capital, aod from the greater risks of planting in the West, owing.to floods* dronght, worms, rust, Ac, &o., it has resulted that the Boil hero, all things j considered, yields as fair and as sure re-1 turne to industry, and systematic cultiva? tion; a\ bhosfc ihiore highly favbrod in fer-_ ?ti?iy, ' Tho moii vee for emigration from this caose,hare, therefore, largely ceased to-operato. It has bcen.foir.tU that those Who leave do no better than those who stay. We have a country to live forianti one worth living for. .It is as good as any other, exoept in certain particulars, political and Booiat. Tins?, patience, united and conscientious efforts, con? stant, intelligent ana uncomplaining in? dustry I and perseverance, may, remove these drawbacks, and bring to us, in spito of our ' present fates, ' a ' happier, more oqntonted and more . prosperous condition. _ . ? t a** AVque of tbe'jaaana to this ?nd, itjbe orime* uV, bry ievfery.means W*>ur power? to develop-the capacity of-our soil, to encourage 'and' adopt'improvements in the mode of its cultivation, and to give etrobglh, tone and h^rtaony to our great commanding agricultural interests. It is well that we have local and State sooie^ ties for ? exhibition of products,' for ein' ??fsa^e^entT?f;. s*o<fe ^aJaing^anO fo?r improvement in the implement* neoasaa* ry to profitable and agreeable oalti vation, * and for, the introduction of new ideas. Friendly competition in these respects, the desire of premiums and distinctions designed as rewards for excellence, havq done' and will oontinuo to do vast good. And the social advantages of the re? unions tbt^y bring about uro.by no means inconsiderable. ' But' more remains^ to ue donel wQrjr. agricultural, class needs a broader found? ation upon whioh to rest, a better orgari iz*tio?/T* me^e compact tssion'y&tiQjft themselves, and a closer and more inti? mate connection with other friendly com-, mnnities ongaged in similar pursuits.. The tendenoy of agriculturists in. old times was to disintegration and to. per? sonal independence. A planter on, his landed estates, with his family, connec? tions, laborers and employees about him, was not much dependent on the outside world. He had everything within him? self. His domain was his kingdom. He rated, the monarch of all he surveyed. The system whioh made all that possible baa passed away. We livo under another, whioh requires concert of action, and touches the outside world at all points. We must overoome bur prodileoiions for the old and conform to the requirements of the new system. Agriculturists are no longer princely planters, but thrifty farmers. Great properties have been, or should be, sub-divided; crops require to be diversified, and all cognate interests? marrafacturing, commercial, educational, stock ruising, Ac.?should be brought into intimate and friendly connection with tho tilling of tho soil. . And, above all else, that combination whioh we aee effected in all other kinds of business, in order to protect their interests, increase heir means and add to the oomforta whioh they bring those who pursue them, should take place in this. Mer? chants have their ozohaDges, thoir boards of trade and chambers of commerce, professional men their various societies, artisans their unions, literary and scien? tific men their colleges and other asso? ciations. The agricultural class should bave their brotherhoods, too. That tie whioh all feel, more or leas, who follow tke same pnrsutts, should in their case be more closely drawn. When a farmer from Vermont, say, or Ohio, or Califor? nia, happens to be in Columbia, ho should find a similarly organised class here as that to which be belongs at home, to wl?oh he oight^looav fo$ sym? pathy, a\dJtid anS enoprj^erienfeln bjj? pursuits jjbd instigations. So,4 if M I South Oajbiinian ^hould chance to flna himfj?If &^Majnoj^or Minnesota, ofrOrc goD, he would be entitled to a similar hospitality. There ia good iu union. It brings foroe and influence, and 'eersents friendship. It gives to one tho power of mauy lu legi>uhato '(objeeta, wh?e each of tK?~~WWMkretoina . Uii individuality.and losea uouo sd. his personal independence. The near "approach of the meeting of the State Orarige of tho Patrons of Hus b-ndep, among whose objects ia a oloser and ,mure .profitable association of the planting or farming interests of the State, and a better understanding with similar organizations' throughout the whole country, has led ua into thia train of remark. If the grange continues to grow as it haa done, its influence must soon become as potent and .beneficent as it 'will be wide and far-reaching. We should bo greatly pleased, if, in its larger and more assured success, it should give its attention to a want which we oun sider pressing amongst us?that of seien tifl? and technical agricultural eiiuoation. Oat. agriculture is yot purblind. We need a school, in its interests, at once practical and scientific. A profession of which it has. been truly said, that no? thing ia better, nothing more pleaaiug, nothing more delightful, nothing more beooining?a pursuit which is at once our prido and our necessity?should re? ceive at our hands every aid and euoou ragomeut towards its highest develop? ment. JDlrvet Trade in Georgia. A committee was| appointed by the lubt Qencral Assembly of Georgia to take into consideration the important I subjects of free trado and immigration. It held a meeting a week ago at Macau, I at whioh an able report, presented by Major Bryan, was fully oousidered and discussed. Steps were takou to memo? rialize the Legislature to pass bills estab? lishing n bureau of immigration; to I hare prepared maps and. full details of the agricultural, mineral and commercial resources of Georgia,. to be translated Into.several European languages; and to grant a subsidy of $100,000 per uuuum to any steamship company that .will make a satisfactory contract with tho State to establish a line of steamships i between some European port or ports and Bavannub. " If anything fails in Oeorgia, it is hot from the want of in? telligent, ^pergetio and well directed efforts to effact it. I Columbia. Vcmale College. Mb. Editor: Tue bona fide opening of I Columbia Female College is now a fact [Notwithstanding the very unfavorable weather, tho nnruber of young ladies who appeared January 1, in the College Chapel, for prayer and ei?seiBeat ion, was beyond what the most sanguine b id ex? pected. President Joues and Faculty (tried audr proton) are iu ' place and iu excellent* spirits, as they ought to be. Many other pupils are known as purpos? ing to come at aa early day. No enter "prise of inoro vlt?l and general aiutercst to Oolumbia, and, measurably, ' to the SirmSe. has been net forth since the war. Pupita from'aby'?cction may, regardless of. .'political br religions distinctions, find a welcome to the advantages ufforded by this institution. The successes, with? out exception, which have established President Jonesjp a superior administra? tor aud'tea?hcr, 3uperoedo tho necessity of any sort of endorsement in thia con? nection, though an intimate acquaint? ance of twenty years would enable mo to say what the patrons and pupils wilt, wo are persuaded, in time know for them? selves. Very truly, &o., r. S1DI H. BROWNE, Agsnt Columbia Female College. Circular* can be readily obtained on I application to President Jones or my? self. S. H. B. Camoem Items.?On Christmas eve some colored pbraons living ou Capt. T. H. Clark's place, on tho Western side of Wateree River, on going out to spend the evening, looked up their house, leav? ing a fire burning, and a little boy, a promising lad of about six years of age, in the house. While they were gone, from some cause whioh will perhaps ever remain a mystery, the house caught fire and was entirely oonaumed, together with the child. Nothing but his charred remains could bo found. This is a terri? ble warning to careless porsons. . On Saturday lost the dwelliug-houso of Mr. C. Welsh, on Western Watoroe, was destroyed by fire. Nothing was saved. Tho fire was supposed to have been accidental. On Friday a negro cabin on Mr. T. W. Langs plaoe was partially destroyed by fire, ao much bo that the inhabitants were compelled to move ont of it to other quarters. On Monday night, at Bojkin's planta? tion, a oolored man and two of his chil? dren, aged five and sovon respectively, were burned to death. The house j caught en fire, and while the man was endeavoring to rescue the ohildren, who were up in the loft, the fire became so severe that they were uuablo to mako their escape, and perished in tho (lames. [Camden Journal. Mr. Byrd Binford died at his residence iu Abbcvillo ou the 12th ult. c.n. llMb.rt K. X>? correspondent,'of the '^Journal has tn^lab." peffeoiflb ?lunblu ^pttfObi 3. if tho^See MomoHal VoItt??,^:i licjjbo bus Had access. His b^l^&' dom, in thir wVl^t^^t^'ij^^ujoV and so many extfaordinBry^irtae?rttTe combined in the character of one man. The record ahonld be oheriahed by onr pOopbv'old. aqil. yg'yug,' It'is instructive and inspiuug,, - iYe copy ii^aa-peouliatl^ appropriate iw .Now Year's? Day, wjuen men pause and look both before and be? hind them, making up their account for the. past and seeking guidance for tho future. Here ia an example whioh all may profit by, though they muy uot lite? rally follow it: *|1 If any public man oouU' be justified in receiving gifts from bia friends, Qen. Lao could surely have been. Leaving at a moment's notice the splendid estato at Arlington to become tho prey of his ene? mies, und nearly all of his property being within hostile lines and beyond bia reach?his scant salary iu Confederate scrip being utterly inadequate to support in proper style his invalid wife und ac? complished daughters ?it was the uni? versal wish of the people for whom he had sacrificed eo much, that some proper provision for hia family should be made. Accordingly, in the winter of '61, the City Council of Richmond unanimously voted to present him with a handsome house, and appointed a committee to make the purchase. Seeing a notice of this in the papers, Gen. L ;e at ouoe wrote to the President of the Council, expressing his grateful appreciation of the kindness meant, but begging that uo further steps should be taken iu the mat? ter, as he should be compelled to decline tho offer. "I shall be but little in Rich? mond mysolf," wrote the noble man, "and my family are as comfortable as taed have a right to be these times. If you have money to invest iu that way, I beg that yon will give it to the families of'our private soldiers, who are more needy and more deserving than myself." Various other offers of a similar na? ture were respectfully but firmly de? clined. At tho close of the war, offers of as? sistance poured in upon him from every quarter. An English nobleman, suppos? ing that he would rejoice iu a quiet re? treat from the scenes of his great strug? gle aud the disasters that had oomo upon his native South, wrote him a feeling letter, iu whioh hooiVerod him a country seat and au annuity of ?1,000. The General was deeply touched by this offer, and wrote a feeling reply, in whioh ho made hia grateful acknowledgments, but declined the offer, saying: "I cannot consent to desert my native State in the hour of her extremity. I must abide her fortnues and share her fate." Soon ufter he became President of Washington College, a large insurance company tendered him its presidency, at a ealary of $10,000 per annum. He told tho agent who brought the proposition, that he could not discharge hia duties iu the college and accept these new ones. "But, General," said the eager ugont, 'we do not wish you to have any duties in conueotion with the place we offer you. The mere uso of your nama is all we ask, and that will amply reimburse us for our outlay." "Excuse me, sir," was the prompt and emphatic reply; "I oannot consent to receivo pay for services I do not rouder, or to accept, under any consideration, a [ratuily." To a largo number of similar off-ra, bo always gavo the same reply. Not long before his fatal illuevsa, ho was offered a salary of $50,000 per an? num to go to Now xurk and bo the head of a certain wealthy corporation there; but ho at onco aud in the most emphatic terms refused the offer, saying that no? thing could tempt him to leave hia post, whore he was "training the young men of the South to do their duty iu lifo." Not all tho gold of California could tempt him to swerve, one inch from the path of duty, jj The authorities oLWatihiugton College were always anxious to pay Gen. Loe such salary as their appreciation of his services and tho expectations of tho pub? lic seemed to' demand. But whou they saw the collego expand undor his able management and wide in? fluence, until its numberof students had incrensed from severity (beforo the war) to 411, aud its utterly prostrate fiuauocs had bo recuperated that they had bcon enabled to inorease the corps of instruc? tors from five to twenty-two, they felt that every principle of common justice demanded that the President's salary should hoar some proportion to tho in? valuable services rendered. But they always met with an insupera? ble obstacle in Gen. Lee's refusal to re? ceive more than $3,000 for his service*. It was iu vain that they argued that they tendered him no gratuity, that the pros? perity of the oollego was due to him, and that his services wore fully worth all they proposed to give him. Ho said that the collego was not able to pay all of its pro? fessors what they proposed to give him, and ho was unwilling to receive more than the other members of the faculty. Seeing that there was no hopo of induc? ing him to accept a direot inasjesso of hiB salary, they tried to compass it by in? direct moans. The board of trustees mado an appro? priation {without Gen. Lee's knowledge) for a very handsome house, whioh they intended to deed to him and his family. When he found out that tho appropria? tion had been made, he superintended tho building, (being always careful to call it "the President's house,") and made it cost only about half of the amount ap? propriated. Daring his Southern tour, whioh de? clining health made neoessary, in 1869, the board of trustees donated this house tp Mrs. Life, an J vcied her an annuity of -^^000? -It was delicately ami quiotly do^p*, but when-the groat jjb?eftaio, re .ttiwied and learnAn what hadjpeeu done, ?tfa ?froto, in bsbjfir of Mrs. 4jre, a letter Jft whiob he gratefully $id qourtodf B\y, firmly, decapod then proffered ctonu ffiffiffiffqg that if J^e.?ou1<J;jdie before. Mrs. LrBe, aud bo unable to leave fier comfortable, her sons would moat cheer Icily provido for her; and that, iu any event, they oodld riot'conWout to take anything from the college. , The college authorities Wdre^ BO fully persuaded of 'the justice of IbiB provi? sion that thTfy quietly" ad ffCTetf'lo their notion,- bad ; tho deed 'recorded in ' I he clerks offijie, and' ufter ?Iih General's .death Beut Mrs. Leo a obrck for the first payment on the annuity. But this noble Virgiuiu matron, to whom we can pay uo higher tribute thun to say that she was every wuy worthy to be the chosen "help-meet" of B. ?. Lee, promptly returned the check and re? spectfully declined the douation. A party of gentlemeu at the White Sulphur Springs, several summers before his death, conceived tho idea that they could put (Jen. Lino's family h?yoiid %U fear of want by raising $50,000 to endow the "President's Chair of Washington College," on the oouditiou that at his death tho money should go to bis family. The General being apprised of this schemo, wrote to W. W. Corcoran, Esq , (the greut Washington banker,) who wai tho moving spirit in it, expressing his high gratification at their interest in his oollege, and saying that he would be most happy to receive their donation, only heshould "insist on their dispensing with the condition and allowing the money to go iuto the permanent funds of the college.". Your correspondent had the privilege, not long after the death of this great man, of looking over his private letter book, in whioh wore oopied most of the letters he wrote while in Lexington. Hs remembers one which beautifully illustrates this point, and which it is not improper to make public, now that the distinguished soldier to whom it was ad I dressed (Lieut. Gen. R. 9. Ewell) has laid a.-ide his earthly weapons aud gone I to join his honored chief iu that bright clime which is undisturbed by "war's rude alarms." Gen. Ewell donated $500 to the college on condition that it should "go to in? crease Gen. Lee's salary." When Gen. Loe heard of the donation, ho wrote his I old lieutenant a touchiugly beautiful let? ter, in which ho warmly expressed his appreciation of this remembrance of his former comrade-in-arms, but begged that he would not insist upon the condi? tion of the donation, but wonld let it go iuto tho common fund, mentioning a number of things that the college needed fur more than auy increase of tho Presi? dent's salary. "I already receive," bo wrote, "a larger salary from the college than my services are worth, and you will appreci? ate that I cannot, therefore, cousvnt to have it increased." After some more in the sann strain, he added the following, which I quote ver? batim, as illustrating another phaso of Gen. Lee's character uot.generally ap? preciated: "I hope, now, that your care and toils are over; that your health, un? der the pleasing iuflaonoe9 of your pre? sent life, hug been greatly improved. For my own part, I much enjoy tho charm of civil life, and find, too late, that I have wasted tho best years of my existence.''' We give oue other example, which uot only illustrates the point we are consider? ing, but also tho tender feelings whioh existed between Lee and his veterans. Not long after tho surrender the General wu3 waited upon by two ragged Confede? rate soldiers, who had ju it returned from prison, and who said that they came as the representatives of "sixty other fel? lows around tho corner, who are too dirty to come thoinsclvep,"and who sent them to tonder their loved chieftain a home in the mountains of Virginia. "We will give yon,"said tho spokesman, "a com fort nb! o house aud a doe farm. We boys will work it for yon, and you uud your family shall never suffor want. And we henr, General, that Underwood I is going to have you indicted aud tried for 'trea-on and rebellion;' now, if yon I will just accept our proposition, wo know a "mountain hollow to which you can retreat, and wo will gather tho boys I there in force sufficient to defy the whole Federal army." It wsb with difficulty that Loe could restrain his tears sufficiently to say iu re? ply: "Why, my poor fellows, I could uot think of accepting your generous offer and being a burden to yon. Be? sides, you wonld not havo your General to hide iu the mountains, aud become what his enemies would oull a fugitive from justice. No; I urn deeply touched at your offer, aud cannot oommand words to express my gratitude, but I must, of course, decline it." Tho noble fellows wcro persistent, in? sisting 'hut it would not be a burden? that thoy had more land than they want? ed?and that they would all consider it a high privilege to be permitted to work for their loved chief, and it was only after the General had given thorn suitB of his own olothing in place of their rags that in their eagorncss to show their troasures to their comrades ho succeeded iu getting rii of their importunities. The offer of these ragged soldiers was but the outgushiug of the feeling of the whole Southern people. Despite their deep poverty thoy would havo bestowed npon Lee houses and lands, and money that would have made him a millionairo, had he permitted it. But ho preferred to set the people the example of earning his bread by his own honest toil, and steadfastly refused to aooept oil gratui? ties. His conduct in this regard bears a very striking resemblance to that of "the Father of his Country," (Goorgo Wash? ington,) who always refused to accept presents. His Gbkat Magnanimity ?Hon. A. H Stephens relates that a serious diffi? culty in the way of tbe aucceaa of bis rajssieu to ii>du?o V^w?ui?- to.joiu ,th<> Southern Coi|Te(l?acyBaa jibo rank of j&enlLee. ' Vfl R I f J B BjJ; uuanimoT^voto*fbf vU?o Vjfgiuiu UonWiilion, Ue.'had basn fieaiea^Coia ?aoptr-iu -Cbjkf M. .the>5Virgi uia Jforces, and Iris friends were uu willing that he Bhoolrl have a less rank in tbe Confede? rate army, while several officers already commissioned would out-rank him there-. Mr. Stepheus sought an interview with Oen. Lee, und explained to bioi the diili oulty. Iq the'same spirit in which he hid refused tho supremo command of the United Statvs atmyV which we have' the highest authority for saying was ten? dered him by air. Lincoln, Ge*h. Lee promptly said that he would not permit his personal infwrests to interfere for a. moment with the demands of the cause? that he was perfectly willing to take a subordinate position, and even to serve as a private soldier, if he ooold thus best promote the welfare of hia native State. By his personal influence and active efforts, all difficulty was removed, the desired union ponflumrouted. and the Virginia troops turned over to the Con? federacy, i Soon after hia Webt Virginia earn*, paigu, while the newspapers aDd the people were severely censuring him for not righting Rjseoranz, he said to au in? timate frieud, "I could have fought, and I am satisfied that I oonld also have gained a victory. But the nature of the country was such that it would have proven a barren victory, and I had rather iujuro my military reputation, and quietly rent under this unjust cen? sure, ih.\u to sacrifice unnecessarily the life of a single one of my'men." Ex-President Davis, in his address at tho great soldier*' memorial meeting, held in Richmond, in November, 1870, stated that on his return from that cam? paign, Leo gave him an account of it that showed beyond all cavil that the fuilure was due to others, and not to himself. And yet he urged tho Presi? dent not to make hia statement public, as he "would rather rest under unjust censure himself than to injure in the public esteem uuy who were bravely striking for tho common cause." Bin FonoKTFOiiNES? of Sbxf.?Gen. Leo rarely slept in a house?never out side of his lines?during the war, and whon on tho march somo oouveniont fence corner would be the most frequent place of biviouac. Yonr correspond? ent has not (infrequently seen some quartermaster or commissary entertained in princely style at a hospitable mansion, while hurd by the Oommander-in Chief would bivouac in the open air?per? chance in a pelting storm. lie never permitted his mess to draw from tho commissary more than their fair proportion of the rations on band, and he would, in consequence, often sit down to a meal meagre in quality and scant io quantity. A great deal has been written of the famous dinner of sweet potatoes to which Marion, tbe American partisan, invited tho British officer. Gen. Leu oonsidercd himself fortunate when he had a good supply of sweet potatoes or a jug of buttermilk. Gen. E;vell wroto your correspondent that, "being at Gen. Lee's headquarters a few days before tho evacuation of Petersburg, Bnd being unable to remain to dinner, the General insisted npon his taking hii lunch, which he found to be two cold sweet potatoes, of which he said he was very foudr" Upon one occasion Qon. Lee proposed to "Lroat" some of bis officers, remark? ing, ''I bare just received a demijohn which I know is-of the bes'.u The demi? john, tightly corked, "was produced, drinking vessels were brought out, aud all gathered around in eager expectancy, when the General filled the glasses and cupa to the brim?not with old "Coguno" or ^Bourbon"?bntxtith fresh buttermilk, which a kind lady, knowing his taste, had sent him. ' He seemed to .enjoy greatly the evident -disappointment-ol some of tbe company, Wuoo tbey.hsoer taincd thef roe character of tbeir "Ireat. Luxuries which frienfo sent for his mess tables went regularly to tho tick and wounded iu the hospitals, and he was accustomed to say: "I am content to share tho rations of my men." In the winters of 1803 and 18GL as, indeed, at many other times, the army was on such soant allowance as to excite tbe deepest anxiety of the commander. He did all iu his power to remedy the evil, and issued to the troops a stirring address, which closed as follows: "Sol? diers, you tread with no unequal steps the road by which your fathers marched, through suffering, privation and blood, to independence." Being invited about this time to diuo at a houso where au elegant dinner was served, it is said that he deolined all of tho rich viands offered him, dined on bread and beef, and quietly remarked iu explanation to the lady of the house, "I cannot consent to be feasting while my poor soldiers are nearly starving." In tho same spirit ho wrote to some young officers who wore gotting up a grand military ball: "I do notthiuk this a fit time for feasting, or unseemly mer? ry-making. I am always glad to seo your names figure among the gallant de? fenders of the country. I oonfess that I regret to see them just now oonapionoua among tho promoters of a 'Grand Mili? tary Ball,' or anything of that- charac? ter." Not long after his West Virginia cam? paign, be was recommending a certain officer for promotion, when a friend nrgod him not to do so, alleging that this officer was accustomed to speak very disparag? ingly and disrespectfully of Gen. Lee. The quick reply was: "The question is not what ho thinks, or is pleased to say, about me, but what I think of him. I have a high opinion of this offioer as a soldier, and shall, most unquestionably, recommend his promotion, and do all in my power to secure it." Hia Freedom from Nepotism.?Gen. Loe had nothing of nepotism about him, bat mated-oat the evenort'-Jinirte- to all, except that h e probr bly dtd bo t ^mmiote ,bia relativee aS rapidly as -tie did others. i iiie son fKobert eer vftd 'der? pri vate in 'che'ranks of the Rookbridge Artillery; 'sharing with his'oom.rad.os of that craok uurp? 'all of -vumli Junger*, hardship*,; drudgery, uod privations;? wlienV bint Irani bid father .would have secured' bin promotion to some place of honor. The General told, with evident relish,' that during the battle of Shurptbnrg be be? came very aueasy about Bribers?know? ing that hia battery had suffered severely aud not.hearing auything from him. At last he mad*- it convenient to ride up to* > the battery, which had. just haea relieved from a very ixmlous position, where i. had suffered frarfulA loss,- and >bad< hie hmrs inoreaaed by not reougniai^g his sun among the men. '16 the hearty greeting of the brave fellows, he replied: . "Well, you have done nobly to-day; bat I shall be compelled to send, yon in - again." :t ."Will yon, General?" said a.powder begrimed youth whom he did not recog nize until he spoke as bis son Hubert; "Well, boys, come on; tho General says we must go in again, and yon know he is* in, tue habit or having his to wo way about such matters." 1 I Thus the .'anxiety of the Commander iu-Ohief waa relieved, and his sou went I gaiiy io work at his gun, and contributed tiis full share toward "keeping three people back." h Your correspondent lias the Tol lowing from the lips of the distinguished Wfflcet who related it: 1 ? [ v.'i 1 When Gen. ??rtrr was -compelled by failing health to ask to be relieved from a certain important command, be went to Bichmond to confer with President Davis as to hia successor, and to endea? vor to impress upon him the very great importance of tho district and of the oommacder being a man of fine abilities Mr. Davis folly sympathised with bis views, and, after reflection, said, ,MI know of no better man for that position than Gen. Oastis Lee. To show yon my estimate of hia ability, I will oaf, that when, sssje time ago, I thought of send - iug Gen. Robert Leo to command the' Westeru army, I had determined that his sou Custia should succeed him in oom mond of the army of Northern Virginia. Now, I wish yon to go up and see Gen. Lee, tell him what I say, and ask him to order Gen. Gnstis Lee to the command of that department. Tell him that I will make his eon mujor-general, lieute? nant-general, or, if need be, full general, so that he may rank any officer likely to be sent to that department/' Gen. -|?;? promptly Bought Lee"? headquarters, delivered Mr. Davis' meal sage, and urged a compliance. Rut to all of his arguments and en? treaties, the old chief lain hod but one reply: "lam very much obligeito Mr. Davis for Iiis high opinion of Oastis Lee. I hope that if he had the opportunity, ho would provo himself in some measure worthy of that confidence. But he is an untried man in the field, and 1 cannot appoint him to that command. Very much against his wishes and ! my own. Mr. Davis has kept' him on bis personal stnfT, and he has had.no opportunity to prove his ability to bandle an army in the field. Whatever may be the opinion of others, I oannbt pass by my tried officers and take for that important posi? tion a comparatively new man?especially when that man ia my own son. Mr. Davis csu make tho assignment,, if be thinks proper; I shall certainly not do so." Rev. Dr. T. V. .?Moore, so long pastor of the First Presbyterian Church In Richmond, and who recently died in Nashville, Tennessee, related the follow? ing in his memorial sermon: "After the cartel for the exchange of prisoners during the war was suspended, one of his own sons was token prisoner. A Federal officer of the same rank in Libby prison sent for me, and wished motu write to Gen. Lee, begging him to obtain the consent of the Confederate authorities to his release, provided be could, as he felt sure would be the case, induce the United States authorities to send Gen. Lee's sou through the lines to effect this special exchange. "In a few days a reply was received in which, with the lofty spirit of a Roman Brutus, he respectfully, but firmly, de? clined to ask any favor for his own son that could not be asked for the hnmblest soldier in the army. The officer, while disappointed, was yet so struck with tho unselfish nobleness of the reply, that he begged the letter from mo as a memento of Gen. Lee, adding, with deep empha? sis, '?ir, I regard him as the greatest man now living.' It will add greatly to the force of the above inoident to recall the fact that tho son (Gen. W. H. F. Lee) was at home, severely wounded, at the time he was oaptured?that his accomplished wife was lying at the point of death, and actually died before his release, (the Federal authorities refusing to .allow Gen. Custis Lee to take the place of his brother, as he nobly offered to do,) and that be waa closely confined in a case? mate at Fortress Monroe and threatened with death by hanging in retaliation for alleged cruelty on the part of the Con? federate authorities towards certain Federal prisoners. Only those who know how devoted to hia ohildren Gen. Lee was, ean appreci? ate the noble self denial which he ex eroised when under these ciroumatanoes, the ton der est feellnjs of the lovieg father were sacrificed to hia sense of doty to hia country. An old oolored womai, while keeping a New Year vigil in tho Salem Baptist Churob, Chalmers streit, Oharleaton, suddenly fell aiok about 3 o'olook on Wednosday morning. She waa carried to her home in a oart, and died soon after she reached it. Her name waa Pbillis Vidal. An inn nest was held the same day, aud a verdiot of death from natural causes rendered. Mr. Page Reynolds, of Stattburg, died suddenly last week.