The New Student's Reference Work/Lee, Henry

Lee, Henry, a Revolutionary soldier, was born in Virginia, Jan, 29, 1756. He graduuated at Princeton College, and in 1776 was appointed a captain of cavalry, and in the following year joined the main army. His vigor and ability attracted the attention of Washington, and his command was soon distinguished for the rapidity of movement and soldierly daring which afterward made Lee's legion so famous and gave him the name of Light-Horse Harry. In 1786 Lee was sent to Congress by the Virginia assembly, and in 1792 he was elected governor of Virginia. As a member of Congress, at the death of Washington in 1799, he was appointed to prepare the eulogy upon the life and character of his dead chieftain. His resolutions contained the often quoted words: “first in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen.” Lee was in Baltimore in 1814, when the office of The Federal Republican was sacked by a mob. He took an active part against them, and with his friends was placed in jail for safe-keeping, but the mob broke into the building and killed or seriously injured all its inmates. Lee never recovered from his injuries, and soon made a voyage to the West Indies in a vain search of health. He died on March 25, 1818.