LEE, (Gen) Jesse Matlock - Putnam

Washington, March 26 – Maj. Gen. Jesse Matlock Lee, retired, a native of Indiana and a soldier of the regular army, who distinguished himself in the Civil War, in Indian campaigns, in the China Boxer rebellion and in the Phlippine insurrection died here today at Walter Reed Army hospital. He was 83 years old. The famous soldier is survived by the widow, Mrs. Lucy Hathaway Lee and one daughter, Mrs. Maude Lee Rethers, wife of Col. Harry F. Rethers. He had numerous relative sin Indiana. The funeral will be held Monday afternoon at Fort Myer Chapel, with interment in Arlington Military cemetery. The pallbearers will include Maj. Gen. John L. Clem. Gen. Lee was born in Putnam County, Indiana Jan 2, 1843. His first military service was as private and sergeant, Co B, 59th Indiana infantry from Nov 13, 1861 to oct 12, 1862. He was promoted to second lt. in the 59th Infantry in October 1862 then to first lt. in February 1863 and capt. the same year. He also served as capt. in the 38th United State infantry in 1865.  He entered the regular army as 2nd lt in the 39th inf. July 28, 1866; served continuously in the infantry through the various grades, being promoted to Brig. Gen June 17, 1902 and to Major Gen Sept 18, 1906.  He was retired upon reaching the age of 64 years on Jan 2, 1907. During the Spanish-American war Gen. Lee served as colonel of the 10th US infantry. Gen. Lee’s service n the regular army was in the NW where he took part in the Indian campaigns under Gens. Crook and Miles. He served as Indian Agent with the Shoshone, Sioux, Cheyenne and Apache tribes and so just was he in his dealings with the Indians that they held him in the highest esteem. In the last Indian uprising, which took place in 1891 at Wounded Knee, Gen. Miles sent for Lee in order to utilize his influence with the Indians in effecting peace. His mission was successful and after the surrender, alone and not even accompanied by an escort, Gen. Lee led the Indians back to their reservation, making the march through the deep snows of a severe winter and amid indescribable hardships and sufferings.  Gen. Lee served for 30 years in the 9th Inf and was distinguished officer on the staffs of Gens. Lawton & Bates during the Philippine insurrection and of Gen. Chaffee in the China Boxer rebellion. At the battle of Tietsin, China he succeeded to the command of th e9th Inf after the death of Gen. Liscum. Gen. Lee was recommended for Brevet Lt. Col. for bravery in the battle and for brevet colonel for gallant conduct in the battles of Yang Tsun and Pek, China during the campaigns of 1900. In 1891, Gen. Lee was commended in War Dept general orders for highly meritorious service sin conducting a band of over 600 surrendered Indians from Pine Ride to Rosebud, SD without military escort and under very tyring circumstances. Among other commendations received by the late major general was one from Maj. Gen. AR Chaffee for his services during the China campaign; one from Maj. Gen. Leonard Wood for handling the very difficult Pulajan situation in the Philippine islands during 1907 and one by Gen. FD Grant for gallantry in action near Imus, Carite, Phillip Island in 1899.  In 1901 Lt. Gen. Nelson Miles said of Gen. Lee, then a colonel in recommending him for Brig. Gen: “I think it would be impossible to find another officer in the Army who has rendered more distinguished, valuable and gallant services to the government than that has Col. Lee. No officer enjoyed the confidence of Gens. Sherman and Sheridan more than he!”  

Source: Greencastle ____ about 28 March 1926