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Major-General Fitzhugh Lee, or “Our
Fitz” as he was affectionately called by his old comrades, won high distinction as a cavalryman in the Army of Northern Virginia, and since the war won higher distinction as a citizen.
After serving for a year at Carlisle Barracks as cavalry instructor of raw recruits, he reported to his regiment on the frontier of
Texas, and was greatly distinguished in several fights for gallantry.
In a fight with the Comanches, May 13, 1859, he was so severely wounded, being pierced through the lungs by an arrow, that the surgeons despaired of his life (especially as he had to be borne two hundred miles across the prairie in a horse litter), but he recovered and rejoined his command, and led a part of his company in January, 1860, in a very notable and successful fight with the Indians, in which he greatly distinguished himself in a single combat with a powerful Indian chief. . . .
In the campaign against
Pope, and the
Maryland Campaign (1862) his cavalry rendered most important service, of which
General R. E. Lee said in his official report: “Its vigilance, activity, and courage were conspicuous; and to its assistance is due in a great measure some of the most important and delicate operations of the campaign.” . . .
When
Hampton was sent south,
Lee was put in command of the entire cavalry corps of the Army of Northern Virginia, and only the break — up at
Richmond prevented him from receiving his merited commission as lieutenant-general, which had been decided on by the
Confederate President. . . .
When the war with
Spain broke out he was made major-general of volunteers, and put in command of troops destined to capture
Havana.
After the close of the war he was kept
