Lee's involvement in combat

[M E Wolf]

Dear 5Fish;

The incident of getting hurt, was when there was a rush of horses passing Traveller, as General Lee had Traveller's reins wrapped around his arm; Traveller was startled and leaped forward knocking General Lee off balance and dragged him forward; as Lee caught himself with his hands.

He wasn't exactly wounded, e.g. bullet wound, scrapnel, shell fragments.
But, both hands were out of commission and in pain. He had to ride in an ambulance for a while; and Col. Taylor and other aides had to sign his name for him.
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Recollections And Letters Of General Robert E. Lee
Chapter IV—Army Life Of Robert The Younger
Happened after July 18, 1862
[excerpt]
This meeting between General Lee and his son has been told very often and in many different ways, but the above is what I remember of the circumstances.
He was much on foot during this part of the campaign, and moved about either in an ambulance or on horseback, with a courier leading his horse. The accident which temporarily disabled him happened before he left Virginia. He had dismounted, and was sitting on a fallen log, with the bridle reins hung over his arm. Traveller, becoming frightened at something, suddenly dashed away, threw him violently to the ground, spraining both hands and breaking a small bone in one of them. A letter written some weeks afterward to my mother alludes to this meeting with his son, and to the condition of his hands:

" . . . I have not laid eyes on Rob since I saw him in the battle of Sharpsburg—going in with a single gun of his for the second time, after his company had been withdrawn in consequence of three of its guns having been disabled. Custis has seen him and says he is very well, and apparently happy and content. My hands are improving slowly, and, with my left hand, I am able to dress and undress myself, which is a great comfort. My right is becoming of some assistance, too, though it is still swollen and sometimes painful. The bandages have been removed. I am now able to sign my name. It has been six weeks to-day since I was injured, and I have at last discarded the sling." [General Lee]
[excerpt]
I had received a letter from my father telling me to come to him as soon as I had gotten my discharge from my company, so I proceeded at once to his headquarters, which were situated near Orange Court House, on a wooded hill just east of the village. I found there the horse which he gave me. She was a daughter of his mare, "Grace Darling," and, though not so handsome as her mother, she inherited many of her good qualities. and carried me well until the end of the war and for thirteen years afterward. She was four years old, a solid bay, and never failed me a single day during three years' hard work. The General was on the point of moving his headquarters down to Fredericksburg, some of the army having already gone forward to that city. I think the camp was struck the day after I arrived, and as the General's hands were not yet entirely well, he allowed me, as a great favour, to ride his horse "Traveller." Amongst the soldiers this horse was as well known as was his master. He was a handsome iron-gray with black points—mane and tail very dark—sixteen hands high, and five years old. He was born near the White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, and attracted the notice of my father when he was in that part of the State in 1861.




Just some thoughts.

Respectfully submitted for consideration,
M. E. Wolf