Posted on 01/19/2015 10:47:15 AM PST by DanMiller
Lee would not even refer to the enemy as "the enemy." He called them "those people." He never sought glory for himself, he had no vices, and he personal and professional behavior were beyond reproach.
But not at Gettysburg. Pickett's charge at the Union center on Cemetery Ridge was a tactical disaster.
Enjoying the day.
I see Lee in may ways like Admiral Yamamoto...
One hell of a man, one hell of an American, and he should still be looked up to.
He is, by me, for sure.
My Brother and Grandson were born on R E Lee’s birth day, I would invite him over even though my family fought for the Union.
As was the frontal assault up Malvern Hill.
Let’s see here, Yamamoto was responsible for the sneak attack at Pearl Harbor, America rose to its defense. R. E. Lee’s Virginia was attacked by the Union, he rose to its defense.
Yep, just like Yamamoto.
One of my very favorite historical characters. I even forgive the fact that he got through West Point without earning one demerit.
My thoughts are this could turn into an ugly thread like the last General Lee thread.
I think that’s when Lee had his first heart attack. He certainly was not at his best that day but he took all the blame onto himself although Pickett never forgave him.
Ludicrous comparison. The Ken Burns version of American history.
General Lee accepted responsibility for the failure at Gettysburg, as the Army Commander should. In the 150 years since then, copious quantities of ink and paper expended to explain how General Lee could have been defeated at Gettysburg. In the course of this literary firestorm, the only two names not mentioned prominently in Generals Lee’s
defeat at Gettysburg is General George Meade, USA and Stonewall Jackson. Virtually every senior officer of the Army of Northern Virginia has been accused of causing Lee’s failure. I have read green apples give him severe indigestion, I have heard he had a heart attack. All beg the point. General Lee commanded the Army of Northern Virginia. General Lee developed the battle plan, General Lee ordered the battle plan into action. The battle plan failed, Responsibility for the ANV’s defeat rests at the feet of it’s Commanding Officer. General Lee recognized that fact. He accepted ultimate responsibility for the army’s failure at Gettysburg, because it was his responsibility.
I love the General to. He followed his conscience even though it cost him dearly. He was respected by the Union Army many of whom served under him before the conflict or attended West Point when he was commandant. He freed his family’s slaves well before the war, was generous in victory and gracious in defeat. He was also humble, something lacking in today’s leaders. He was and always will be one of my hero’s. Happy Birthday General Lee and may your memory live forever
“...followed his conscience even though it cost him dearly...”
History is full of Men like that. And they are known by their deeds.
Outnumbered by those of much lesser caliber. Who are also known by their deeds... or lack thereof.
Lee will stand the test of time.
“This is a re-post of an article I wrote last year to celebrate the anniversary of General Lee’s birth on January 19, 1807”
Well on Free Republic it will only be a celebration for about 15 minutes. Then it will be a 10 hour smear fest.
Happy Birthday Bobbby. :-)
You're right - Lt. Gen. Longstreet said Lee's "blood was up" and Lee made a terrible decision at Gettysburg. Had he won, the Union would have been forced to sue for peace. I also believe that had he broken off the fighting early and invaded Washington instead (there were no Union divisions left between Gettysburg and Washington), Lee would have been able to force the Union to sue for peace. In fact, that was Longstreet's recommendation, but Lee said the enemy was "here" (Gettysburg) and that is where he wanted to fight them.
Poor Brig Gen Pickett. In later years, he was a bitter man. The south blamed him, because they could not bring themselves to admit that Gen Lee would have blundered. Pickett used to say "that old man had my Division slaughtered." He had to live with it the rest of his life.
Lee knew he was living on borrowed time, and that his army had to make bold moves in order to achieve victory. He just went a bridge too far.
He was not the owner of the slaves at Arlington or the other Custis properties. They had been the property of George Washington Parke Custis. He was Mary Custis Lee’s father. When he died in Dec 1857, his will named Lt.Col. Lee as the estate executor. In his will, Custis authorized the executor of the estate to free all of the slaves if the estates finances were in good order or keep them as slaves but free them within 5 years of his death. Lee determined that the slaves needed to be retained for the financial well being of the Arlington estate and so he kept the former Custis slaves in bondage. The slaves of the Custis estate were freed by lee as required in the Custis will on Dec 29 1862. Exactly 5 years after GWP Custis’s death.
While there were no Union Army forces between lee’s Army and Washington, other than the Army of the Potomac, there were 95,000 Union soldiers manning 44 forts with over 500 big artillery pieces defending Washington. It is very doubtful lee could have forced the Lincoln administration to sue for peace. Longstreet did not council Lee to move on Washington. Longstreet recommended they break off action with the Army of the Potomac, move the army to a more defensible location and force the Union Army to attack them. This is the same advice that he gave to General Lee in late May before the Gettysburg campaign started. Lee at that time stated his plan was to find suitable ground in Pennsylvania and attack the Army of Potomac there.
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