Arthur Tracy Lee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Arthur Tracy Lee
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Colonel Arthur T. Lee
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| Born | June 26, 1814 Northumberland, Pennsylvania |
| Died | December 29, 1879 (aged 65) Rochester, New York |
| Place of burial |
Mount Hope Cemetery, Rochester, New York
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| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Service/ |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1838–65 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Commands held | 2nd Infantry Regiment, Army of the Potomac |
| Battles/wars | Seminole War |
Arthur Tracy Lee (born June 26, 1814 – died December 29, 1879) was a brave officer in the United States Army. He served before and during the American Civil War. But he wasn't just a soldier! Arthur Lee was also a talented author, a skilled painter, a musician, and even an architect. He had many different interests and talents.
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Arthur Lee's Early Life and Army Start
Arthur Lee was born in Northumberland, Pennsylvania. When he was young, he studied art in Philadelphia. Some say he learned from a famous painter named Thomas Sully.
In 1838, when he was 24, Arthur Lee joined the army as a second lieutenant. This means he became a junior officer. He first joined the 5th United States Infantry Regiment, then moved to the 8th United States Infantry Regiment.
He helped with the relocation of Winnebago people from Wisconsin in 1840. Later, he took part in the Seminole Wars in Florida. While there, he met Margaret Wenthworth Spafford. They got married in 1844 and had five children. Sadly, only one child lived to be an adult.
Fighting in the Mexican-American War
In 1845, Arthur Lee was promoted to first lieutenant. His army unit moved to Texas. They served under General Zachary Taylor.
Lee commanded a group of soldiers during the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma. He even fought alongside another future famous general, James Longstreet. After these battles, Lee wrote a poem about them.
Other Important Army Jobs
In 1846, Lee was sent to Rochester, New York. His job there was to find new people to join the army. This is called recruiting. While he was recruiting, he was promoted to captain in 1848.
Later that year, he helped with another relocation of Winnebago people, this time in Minnesota. He then returned to Texas to lead his company of soldiers.
Protecting Settlers and Meeting Native Americans
From 1849 to 1851, Captain Lee often commanded Fort Croghan. His job was to protect settlers who were moving into areas where Native Americans lived.
In 1852, his company helped build Fort McKavett. This fort protected settlers in West Texas. It also served as a resting place for people traveling to California. At Fort McKavett, Lee met Comanche people every day. He met leaders like Buffalo Hump. Lee wrote in 1852 that he found them "friendly & well disposed towards the whites."
Lee and his soldiers also served at other forts, including Fort Martin Scott, Fort Worth, Fort Mason, and Fort Chadbourne.
Life at Fort Davis
In 1854, Lee's regiment was ordered to build a new fort in the Davis Mountains. This area was in Apache territory. Lee spent four years at Fort Davis. During this time, he enjoyed sketching and painting with watercolors. We know of 154 paintings he made, showing what he saw during his army service.
In 1858, Lee was sent even further west to build Fort Quitman. A year later, he went to Fort Brown to help with the Cortina Troubles. He arrived after the fighting had stopped, so he didn't see any action there. His next assignment was at Fort Stockton.
Arthur Lee in the Civil War
While at Fort Stockton, Arthur Lee learned that Texas had decided to leave the Union. This was the start of the American Civil War. Lee tried to lead his soldiers out of Texas. But in April 1861, Confederate soldiers captured them in San Antonio.
Lee was arrested, but then released. He promised not to fight against the Confederates or share information with the Union. He kept this promise.
Joining the Fight at Gettysburg
In October 1861, Lee was made a major in the 2nd Infantry Regiment. Because of his promise, he worked on different tasks in the North. When his promise ended, he joined his regiment just in time for the famous Battle of Gettysburg.
The Battle of Gettysburg
On July 2, 1863, Major Lee led his regiment towards Gettysburg. They marched about five miles. They sent out a small group of soldiers to check for enemy soldiers. After some light fighting, they rested.
Around 5:00 pm, Lee was ordered to join the intense fighting at the Wheatfield. His soldiers had to cross a muddy area. Confederate sharpshooters began firing at them. Lee ordered his men to move quickly. They pushed the sharpshooters back and took cover behind a stone wall near the Wheatfield.
Later, Lee's regiment was ordered to advance. They jumped over the stone wall and began to turn left. Lee saw that the Confederates were trying to get around his soldiers. He ordered his men to stop and fire. The enemy fired back. During this fierce fighting, Lee was wounded in his right ankle and hip.
The fighting was very tough. When fresh Confederate soldiers appeared, Lee was ordered to pull his regiment back. As they moved, three lines of enemy soldiers opened fire. The flag pole of his regiment was shot in half! The flag fell, but the soldier carrying it caught it.
Lee's men slowly moved back through the woods, over the stone wall, and through the marsh. They were still under fire. When they reached their original battle line, Lee handed command to Captain Samuel A. McKee. This was because his wounds were serious.
Because of his injuries, Lee could not return to active duty. But for his bravery at Gettysburg, he was given a special honor. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel. He officially retired from the army in 1865.
Life After the War
In 1866, Arthur Lee received another promotion. He was made a colonel for his many years of service in the United States Army.
From 1867 to 1872, he served as the governor of the Old Soldier's Home in Washington, D.C. This was a place for soldiers who had served their country. In 1871, two of his writings were published: Army Ballads, and Other Poems and "Reminiscences of the Regiment."
In 1872, he moved to Rochester, New York, with his wife, Margaret. He continued to paint, spending his summers at Shelter Island.
Arthur Tracy Lee passed away at his home on December 29, 1879. He was buried in Mount Hope Cemetery in Rochester.
Gallery of Works
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Comanche Lookout, Rochester Historical Society, New York
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Entrance to Wild Rose Pass, Rochester Historical Society, New York
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Rio Grande City, Rochester Historical Society, New York
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Fort Davis, pencil, Rochester Historical Society, New York
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Fort Davis, watercolor, Rochester Historical Society, New York
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Overland Mail Station, Rochester Historical Society, New York
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In Maggie's Kitchen, Rochester Historical Society
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In Wild Rose Pass, Rochester Historical Society
