Robert E. Lee

The Atlantic Magazine ^ | 1870 | Julia Ward Howe

[robowombat]

Robert E. Lee

Julia Ward Howe

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A gallant foeman in the fight,

A brother when the fight was o'er,

The hand that led the host with might

The blessed torch of learning bore.

No shriek of shells nor roll of drums,

No challenge fierce, resounding far,

When reconciling Wisdom comes

To heal the cruel wounds of war.

Thought may the minds of men divide,

Love makes the heart of nations one,

And so, the soldier grave beside,

We honor thee, Virginia's son

[AnAmericanMother]

I'm not happy about the distance from our home . . . it means an eight-hour drive instead of the 4 1/2 hour drive to Davidson, which is her other favorite pick.

But either one is better than Princeton (which I don't want her to go to anyway.)

Where did your daughter go?

[AnAmericanMother]

Thanks! We're hoping for the best (they're so darn selective though!)

[AnAmericanMother]

My husband is a Richmond boy, so we've driven right past there I don't know how many times.

Of course HE has a right attitude towards Marse Robert . . . < g >

[yarddog]

I posted this quote from another great Englishman on another FR thread. Won't hurt to repeat it.

One of the greatest British Soldiers, in fact, IMO, the best ever, was Viscount Garnet Wolseley. He spoke very eloquently when describing Lee.

"I have met many of the great men of my time, but Lee alone impressed me with the feeling that I was in the presence of a man who was cast in a grander mold and made of different and finer metal than all other men. He is stamped upon my memory as a being apart and superior to all others in every way-a man with whom none I ever knew, and very few of whom I have read, were worthy to be classed.

[linda_22003]

When I saw "Traveller's" grave, someone had left a few apples on the stone. I thought that was charming. :)

[AnAmericanMother]

It was carrots when we were there.

I guess next time we're up there I'll have to leave some Starlight Mints or Mrs. Goodpasture's Cookies for Horses (my equine's favorite treats.)

W&L has an equestrian team, I wonder if Traveller's their mascot. That would be pretty cool.

[groanup]

So far she has been accepted to honors programs at Emory, C. of Charleston, Georgia, U of S. Carolina and Wofford. Waiting to hear from Davidson, Rhodes, Vandy. She has a full academic at a couple of those and may get some more. As far as I'm concerned she goes where she gets the full ride. LOL.

[AnAmericanMother]

That's certainly going to be the case with us as well. . . college ain't cheap.

I guess our daughters are in competition wrt Davidson & Rhodes - there's room for both I hope. Wofford's a good school.

Good luck to her!

[Tennessee_Bob]

Happy Birthday, Bobby Lee. My daddy named me after you, and I've named my daughter after you as well.

[webboy45]

Sorry to those who want The South to rise again, but there is no honor for Lee. He said (as I remember), "I am first a Virginian and second an American." If his step grandfather (George Washington) heard these words he must have been ashamed of his heritage. Washington put country above politics and certainly would have put country above Virginia. If Lee had joined his country's forces instead of going against them the war would likely have been won much sooner. I have nothing but contempt for the man.

[yarddog]

I have nothing but contempt for the man.

From someone who is beneath contempt.

[Terabitten]

If his step grandfather (George Washington) heard these words he must have been ashamed of his heritage. Washington put country above politics and certainly would have put country above Virginia.

By your logic, if Washington had put "country above politics" he would've fought for King George.

[sasportas]

I'm not from Virginia, but I went out of my way to visit Lexington when I went through Virginia a few years ago. Visiting VMI and Washington and Lee, especially the chapel, left an impression on me I'll never forget. The chapel is dedicated to America's greatest tragic hero. No greater example of Christian dignity - even in defeat - America has ever produced than Lee...in my opinion anyway.

[You Dirty Rats]

I disagree with Lee's decision, but I respect his sincerely-held belief that Virginia had priority over the United States.

As far as personal character and honor are concerned, IMHO you cannot find any American who had these qualities in greater measure than Lee.

George Washington, it must be remember, made a similar choice. He chose the United States over Great Britain.

Lee should be respected -- and I'm a damnyankee.

[groanup]

...there is no honor for Lee.

And much less for webboy. Lee had more honor in one hair follicle than most will ever know in their lives. The words you quote were uttered AFTER Lincoln offered the command to Lee. Seems you and Lincoln disagree on the definition of honor.

[rattrap]

A very gentle Southern lady was driving across the Savannah River Bridge in Georgia one day.
As she neared the top of the bridge, she noticed a young man fixing (ready) to jump.
She stopped her car, rolled down the window and said, "Please don't jump, think of your dear mother and father."
He replied, "Mom and Dad are both dead; I'm going to jump."
She said, "Well, think of your wife and children."
He replied, "I'm not married and I dont have any kids."
She said, "Well, think of Robert E. Lee."
He replied, ''Who's Robert E. Lee?''
She replied, ''Well bless your heart, just go ahead and jump, you dumb ass Yankee."

[robowombat]

When I was in elementary school in Virginia in the 1950's the WBTS/CW got a good bit of coverage, state history was covered from Jamestown to the present twice, 3rd grade and 7th grade (back then there were no intermediate schools).
The coverage had substantial amounts of frankly adulatory coverage of Confederate battlefield prowess. However, the hideous tragedy of the war for Virginia, the South and the whole nation was constantly underlined. The drama of the interview at Appomattox was highlighted as was the essential humanity and greatness of Gen Grant. I don't think many northerners grasp the regard Grant was held by many in the South in the first half of this century. The vitriol of those like Jubal Early had dissipated and the need for a narrative that hailed the victory of the Union as the correct verdict of history but honored the South for its heroic defense of home and hearth was met by the way the war was treated in our textbooks. I wish today, in the hour of PC and multiculturalism, we could recapture that view of US history. Maybe it was somewhat synthetic and deliberately downplayed the shadows in history to emphasize a more important essential truth of the need to make our country first before creed or class or ethnicity or region.

[groanup]

Good luck to yours.

[laotzu]

"I have nothing but contempt for the man"

These fine people were honorably paying their respects.
And along came your spittle....

Hang out at the airport much? or Veteran hospitals?

[OldPossum]

<...one of the greatest captains known in the annals of war."

How true. Some don't know that in 1861 Lee was offered the command of the entire armies of the North, but, after much soul-searching, declined. In the end, he felt that he could not fight against his beloved Virginia.

Some historians have written that if he had accepted, the Civil War would have been much shorter in length.