Also one of the greatest Americans ever.
“News of the death of Robert E. Lee, beloved chieftain of the Southern army, whose strategy mainly was responsible for the surprising fight staged by the Confederacy, brought a two-day halt to Richmond's business activities.” unquote
The United States flag, which Robert E. Lee had defended as a soldier, flew at half mast in Lexington, Virginia and throughout the USA.
General Lee died at his home at Lexington, Virginia at 9:30 AM on Wednesday, October 12, 1870. His last great deed came after the War Between the States when he accepted the presidency of Washington College, now Washington and Lee University. He saved the financially troubled college and helped many young folks further their education.
Some write that Robert E. Lee suffered a cerebral hemorrhage on September 28, 1870, but was thought to greatly improve until October 12th, when he took a turn for the worse. His condition seemed more hopeless when his doctor told him, "General you must make haste and get well---Traveller---has been standing too long in his stable and needs exercise."
Virginia Military Institute (VMI) Cadet William Nalle said in a letter home to his mother, dated October 16, 1870, quote;
“I suppose of course that you have all read full accounts of Gen Lee's death in the papers. He died on the morning of the 12th at about half past nine. All business was suspended at once all over the country and town, and all duties, military and academic suspended at the Institute, and all the black crape and all similar black material in Lexington, was used up at once, and they had to send on to Lynchburg for more. Every cadet had black crape issued to him, and an order was published at once requiring us to wear it as a badge of mourning for six months.” unquote
Read entire letter on Virginia Military Institute website at:
http://www.vmi.edu/archives.aspx?id=5517
The rains and flooding were the worse of Virginia's history on the day General Lee died. On Wednesday, October 12, 1870, in the presence of his family, Lee quietly passed away.
The church bells rang as the sad news passed through Washington College, Virginia Military Institute, the town of Lexington and the nation. Cadets from VMI College carried the remains of the old soldier to Lee Chapel where he laid in state.
Memorial meetings were held throughout the South and as far North as New York. At Washington College in Lexington eulogies were delivered by: Reverend Pemberton, Reverend W.S. White--Stonewall Jackson's Pastor and Reverend J. William Jones. Former Confederate President Jefferson Davis brought the eulogy in Richmond, Virginia. Lee was also eulogized in Great Britain.
When all settled down, Mrs. Robert E. Lee said, "If he had succeeded in gaining by the sword all the South expected and hoped for, he could not have been more honored and lamented."
Many thousands witnessed Lee's funeral procession marching through the town of Lexington, Virginia, with muffled drums and the artillery firing as the hearse was driven to the school's chapel where he was buried.
US President Dwight D. Eisenhower knew and appreciated our nation’s rich history. President Eisenhower was criticized for displaying a portrait of Robert E. Lee in his office. This was part of his response; quote "Robert E. Lee was, in my estimation, one of the supremely gifted men produced by this nation." unquote
Robert E. Lee was the hero of the Southern people and admired both North and South of the Mason-Dixon Line. This Christian- gentleman's last words were, "Strike the Tent."
There will be a Remembering Robert E. Lee Program at Lee Chapel on Monday, October 12, 2009. For details go to:
http://chapelapps.wlu.edu/tertiary.asp?ID=40&Parent=43&NavOrder=1
RIP. Too bad the nation had to come to blows. Hope we never have another civil war.
R.E. Lee was born too late. He should have been one of the founding fathers.
A noble man in an unfortunate time.
Also one of the greatest Americans ever.
“Do your duty in all things;
You can not do more;
You should never wish to do less.”
~Robert Edward Lee
You will like this thread.
W&L was my daughter's second choice for college - she was admitted there but wound up going to her first choice, Davidson College. Personally, I might have gone with W&L, but I'm not my daughter, she's much shyer and more gentle than I.
When we toured the school I was very impressed with the beautiful Lee Chapel. His faithful horse is interred just outside the side door, and when we walked past somebody had left a bouquet of carrots on his headstone.
Great thread. General Lee was one of the finest Americans to ever live.
General Lee was a true gentleman and in my opinion a soldier without equal. In the LSU library there is a painting of him astride his horse Travler. Knowing the destructive behavior of the PC nuts, I doubt if the painting is still there. Maybe someone out there knows.
PING
I have a pretty good library of vintage Americana textbooks, with titles like “Great Americans” or whatever. Seems there has been a de-emphasis on instilling excellence in our young, outside of sports at least. Gen. Lee wouldn’t “make the cut” today, I Suppose. One problem with that tack, when glaring holes appear in certain areas most people get curious. I started to read Grants memoirs and biographies, stuff about Jefferson, Lincoln, and Lee. It’s just a small part of a decent, rounded education.
Just finished reading (admittedly, scanning about 1/2) U.S. Grant’s
Personal Memoirs. It was a Christmas gift from my brother and
sister-in-law maybe five years ago.
Heck of a read.
Especially Grant’s recounting of the Appomatix (sp?) Court House
meeting with Lee. Grant admits he got caught up in reminiscing over
“the good old days” until Lee and his assistant reminded him of the
real purpose of their meeting.
Both generals seemed to have been very gracious, as Lee would reply
to Grant that this should have a good effect on the surrendering
Confederates when Grant allowed some leeway in terms (e.g., artillerists
could each take away a horse, with the tilling of fields in mind)
The Civil War was a sad event. But somehow conflict that the USA
engages in (even with itself) often produces some real giants
(even if they have “feet of clay” like any mortals).
He died?
I need to send a card then
When I visted the house where the surrender was signed, at Appomatax Courthouse, the ranger described how Lee came down the road alone on horse back and the union troops lined the road and cheered and saluted him. That was enough of a tribute for me.