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***The stern old war-horse, God bless him, was weeping for his men and, I know, praying too that this cup might pass from them. I obeyed the silent assent of his bowed head, an assent given against his own convictions, given in anguish and with reluctance.*****_'Up Men, To Your Posts! Never Forget Today That You Are From Old Virginia!'_***
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Robert E. Lee Picture 1********************
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*Robert Edward Lee(1807-1870)
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Gen.R E Lee_ General in Chief of the Confederate States Army, CSA
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Quotes
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A true man of honor feels humbled himself when he cannot help humbling others.
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Do your duty in all things.You cannot do more, you should never wish to do less.
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Never do a wrong thing to make a friend or to keep one.
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I like whiskey. I always did and that is why I never drink it.
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In all my perplexities and distresses, the Bible has never failed to give me light and strength.
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Lee entered West Point in 1825, graduated 1829, without a demerit and was ranked second in his class. During these youthful years, he was considered to be remarkable in personal appearance and had a friendly, dignified manner about him, that enabled him to make and keep friends easily. Although 'full of fun and life', as one contemporary described him, Lee was more inclined to a serious rather than a more frivolous social life.
Lee's father,General Henry Lee,the 'Light Horse' Harry Lee of the American Revolution, was descended through a long line from Launcelot de Lee, a companion of William the Conqueror of England. General Henry Lee married Ann Hill Carter.
From this marriage Robert Edward Lee was born, the seventeenth in line of descent from King Robert the Bruce of Scotland.
Lee grew up in an area where George Washington was still a living memory and his family had many ties to Revolutionary War heroes.
It is notable that many of the character traits of Robert E. Lee such as military abilities, steadfastness, loyalty and devotion to native land were also present in his ancestors.
Robert E. Lee married Mary Custis, daughter of Washington Parke Custis, and grand daughter of Martha Washington, at Arlington, Va.
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Virginnia seceeds from the Union and Lee writes dated April 20, 1861:
With all my devotion to the Union and the feeling of loyalty and duty of an American citizen, I have not been able to make up my mind to raise my hand against my relatives, my children, my home. I have therefore resigned my commission in the Army and save in defense of my native State, with the sincere hope that my poor services may never be needed, I hope I may never be called on to draw my sword...
His resignation was given two days following the offer, to him, of Chief of Command of U.S. forces under Gen. Scott. Lee had a strong attachment to the Union and the Constitution, being that he was from a region(Virginia was first settled in 1584) that was instrumental in the founding of the United States. He also had no special sympathy for slavery. Sadly though, the die had been cast.
Picture Of Lee's Resignation Letter
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After a long hard fought struggle on both sides, the South lost the war.....
Gen. Lee is forced to surrender the Army of Northern Virginnia to Gen. U. S. Grant on 9 April, 1865.
Picture of the McLean House in Appomattox Courthouse, VA -where surrender took place
Picture of the surrender(parole) document
Text of the surrender document
Because of the good consideration(decent surrender terms) shown to Lee and his troops by Gen. Grant, Lee would never allow a word against Grant in his prescense.
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At the bottom of the page is Lee's Farewell to the Troops and also a report to Jefferson Davis stating the reasons for surrendering.
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When the South is defeated. Lee says:
The war was an unnecessary condition of affairs and might have been avoided if forebearance and
wisdom had been practiced on both sides.
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What a cruel thing is war to fill our hearts with hatred instead of love for our neighbors and to devastate the fair face of this beautiful world.
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We have fought this fight as long and as well as we know how. We have been defeated. For us as a Christian people there is now but one course to pursue. We must accept the situation.
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We failed, but in the good providence of God, apparent failure often proves a blessing.
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It is well that war is so terrible. We should grow too fond of it.
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January 5, 1866, Gen. Lee says...
All that the South ever desired was that the Union as established by our forefathers should be preserved and that the government as originally organized should be administered in purity and truth.
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And furthermore...
I had no other guide nor had I any other object than the defense of those principles of American liberty upon which the constitutions of the several States were originally founded and unless they are strictly observed, I fear there will be an end of Republican government in this country.
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General Lee lived only a few years after the fall of the Confederacy. He returned to Richmond as a paroled prisoner of war and accepted his altered destiny,fate. During the remainder of his life he set an example in conduct for other ex-Confederate soldiers and civilians. He tried to promote the restoration of harmony among the people of the troubled nation, where possible.
He refused offers which would have gained substantial income for his family. Instead, he chose to accept the position of presidency of Washington College (Washington and Lee University) in Lexington, Virginia and his reputation helped maintain the school after the war.
General Lee's wartime reputation, in the North and South, and the fact that he came to be a symbol of the "Lost Cause"(through no action of Lee's) made Lee a larger than life figure, even before his death. His nearest friends alone saw that his sympathy for the misfortunes of the people of the nation became an illness which doctors were unable to cure. Simply stated, he died of a broken heart.
He became ill on the 28th of September, 1870. He died on October 12, 1870 and was buried at Lexington, Va......The museum level of the Lee Chapel and Museum at Washington and Lee University holds his burial site.
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Burial entombment in the Lee Chapel
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He died as a devout Christian, the same way he had lived his life. There was considerable grief expressed when he died, not only in the South, but the also in the North and the European press paid their respects to him. A European newspaper account follows..."The grave of this noble hero is bedewed with the most tender and sacred tears ever shed upon a human tomb. A whole nation has risen up in the spontaneity of its grief to render the tribute of its love. His name will lure his countrymen to revere truth and pay devotion to duty, and until the nation ceases to be free, the glory of his character will be cherished as priceless national treasure."
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General Lee's application for restoration of citizenship was mislaid(denied) and it was not until the 1970's, that it was found and granted.
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DIXIE
Song lyrics
I wish I was in the land of cotton,
old times there are not forgotten,
Look away, look away, look away, Dixie land.
In Dixie land where I was born in, early on a frosty mornin',
Look away, look away, look away, Dixie land.
Chorus:
Then I wish I was in Dixie, hooray! Hooray!
In Dixie land I'll take my stand, to live and die in Dixie,
Away, away, away down south in Dixie,
Away, away, away down south in Dixie.
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Southrons, hear your country call you!
Up, lest worse than death befall you!
To arms ! To arms! To arms, in Dixie!
Lo! All the beacon-fires are lighted,
Let all hearts be now united!
To arms ! To arms! To arms, in Dixie!
Advance the flag of Dixie
Hurrah! Hurrah!
For Dixie's land we take our stand,
And live or die for Dixie!
To Arms! To Arms!
And conquer peace for Dixie
To Arms! To Arms
And conquer peace for Dixie
Hear the Northern thunders mutter!
Northern flags in South winds flutter!
To arms ! To arms! To arms, in Dixie!
Send them back your fierce defiance!
Stamp upon the accursed alliance!
To arms ! To arms! To arms, in Dixie!
Advance the flag of Dixie
Hurrah! Hurrah!
For Dixie's land we take our stand,
And live or die for Dixie!
To Arms! To Arms!
And conquer peace for Dixie
To Arms! To Arms
And conquer peace for Dixie
Fear no danger! Shun no labor!
Lift up rifle, pike and saber!
To arms ! To arms! To arms, in Dixie!
Shoulder pressing close to shoulder,
Let the odds make each heart bolder!
To arms ! To arms! To arms, in Dixie!
Advance the flag of Dixie
Hurrah! Hurrah!
For Dixie's land we take our stand,
And live or die for Dixie!
To Arms! To Arms!
And conquer peace for Dixie
To Arms! To Arms
And conquer peace for Dixie
Swear upon our country's altar
Never to submit or to falter,
To arms ! To arms! To arms, in Dixie!
Till the spoilers are defeated,
Till the Lord's work is completed!
To arms ! To arms! To arms, in Dixie!
Advance the flag of Dixie
Hurrah! Hurrah!
For Dixie's land we take our stand,
And live or die for Dixie!
To Arms! To Arms!
And conquer peace for Dixie
To Arms! To Arms
And conquer peace for Dixie
*****
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****************************************************************** here is a link to...The Bonnie Blue Flag
And one to .....General Ulysses S Grant...Battle Hymn Of The Republic
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Farewell To The Army Of Northern Virginia...
Hdqrs. Army Of Northern Virginia April 10, 1865
After four years of arduous service, marked by unsurpassed courage and fortitude, the Army of Northern Virginia has been compelled to yield to overwhelming numbers and resources. I need not tell the brave survivors of so many hard-fought battles, who have remained steadfast to the last, that I have consented to the result from no distrust of them. But, feeling that valor and devotion could accomplish nothing that could compensate for the loss that must have attended the continuance of the contest, I determined to avoid the useless sacrifice of those whose past services have endeared them to their countrymen. By the terms of the agreement officers and men can return to their homes and remain until exchanged. You will take with you the satisfaction that proceeds from the consciousness of duty faithfully performed; and I earnestly pray that a merciful God will extend to you his blessing and protection.
With an increasing admiration of your constancy and devotion to your country, and a grateful remembrance of your kind and generous considerations for myself, I bid you all an affectionate farewell.
R E LEE***GENERAL
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Addressed to Jefferson Davis
NEAR Appomatox Courthouse, VA
April 12, 1865
Mr. PRESIDENT
***IT IS WITH PAIN that I announce to Your Excellency the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia. The operations which preceded this result will be reported in full. I will therefore only now state that, upon arriving at Amelia Court-House on the morning of the 4th with the advance of the army, on the retreat from the lines in front of Richmond and Petersburg and not finding the supplies ordered to be placed there, nearly twenty-four hours were lost in endeavoring to collect in the country subsistence for men and horses.***
***THIS DELAY WAS FATAL, and could not be retrieved. The troops, wearied by continual fighting and marching for several days and nights, obtained neither rest nor refreshment. And on moving, on the 5th, on the Richmond and Danville Railroad, I found at Jetersville the enemy's cavalry and learned the approach of his infantry and the general advance of his army toward Burkeville. This deprived us of the use of the railroad and rendered it impracticable to procure from Danville the supplies ordered to meet us at points of our march. Nothing could be obtained from the adjacent country.***
***OUR ROUTE TO the Roanoke was therefore changed and the march directed upon Farmville, where supplies were ordered from Lynchburg. The change of route threw the troops over the roads pursued by the artillery and wagon trains west of the railroad, which impeded our advance and embarrassed our movements. On the morning of the 6th General Longstreet's corps reached Rice's Station on the Lynchburg railroad. It was followed by the commands of Generals R. H. Anderson, Ewell and Gordon, with orders to close upon it as fast as the progress of the trains would permit or as they could be directed on roads farther west.***
***GENERAL ANDERSON, commanding Pickett's and B. R. Johnson's divisions, became disconnected with Mahone's division forming the rear of Longstreet. The enemy's cavalry penetrated the line of march through the interval thus left and attacked the wagon train moving toward Farmville. This caused serious delay in the march of the center and rear of the column and enabled the enemy to mass upon their flank. After successive attacks Anderson's and Ewell's corps were captured or driven from their position. The latter general, with both of his division commanders Kershaw and Custis Lee and his brigadiers, was taken prisoner. Gordon, who all the morning aided by General W. H. F. Lee's cavalry, had checked the advance of the enemy on the road from Amelia Springs and protected the trains, became exposed to his combined assaults, which he bravely resisted and twice repulsed. But the cavalry having been withdrawn to another part of the line of march, and the enemy massing heavily on his front and both flanks renewed the attack about 6 p.m., and drove him from the field in much confusion.***
***THE ARMY CONTINUED its march during the night and every effort was made to reorganize the divisions which had been shattered by the day's operations. But the men being depressed by fatigue and hunger, many threw away their arms, while others followed the wagon trains and embarrassed their progress. On the morning of the 7th rations were issued to the troops as they passed Farmville, but the safety of the trains requiring their removal upon the approach of the enemy all could not be supplied. The army reduced to two corps, under Longstreet and Gordon, moved steadily on the road to Appomattox Courthouse. Thence its march was ordered by Campbell Courthouse, through Pittsylvania toward Danville. The roads were wretched and the progress slow.***
***BY GREAT EFFORTS the head of the column reached Appomattox Courthouse on the evening of the 8th and the troops were halted for rest. The march was ordered to be resumed at 1 a.m. on the 9th. Fitz Lee with the cavalry supported by Gordon. He was ordered to drive the enemy from his front, wheel to the left and cover the passage of the trains. While Longstreet, who from Rice's Station had formed the rear guard, should close up and hold the position. Two battalions of artillery and the ammunition wagons were directed to accompany the army, the rest of the artillery and wagons to move toward Lynchburg***
***IN THE EARLY PART of the night the enemy attacked Walker's artillery train near Appomattox Station, on the Lynchburg railroad, and were repelled. Shortly afterward their cavalry dashed toward the Courthouse till halted by our line. During the night there were indications of a large force massing on our left and front. Fitz Lee was directed to ascertain its strength and to suspend his advance till daylight if necessary. About 5 a.m. on the 9th, with Gordon on his left, he moved forward and opened the way. A heavy force of the enemy was discovered opposite Gordon's right, which moving in the direction of Appomattox Courthouse drove back the left of the cavalry and threatened to cut off Gordon from Longstreet. Gordon withdrew across the Appomattox River and the cavalry advanced on the Lynchburg road and became separated from the army.****
***LEARNING THE CONDITION of affairs on the lines, where I had gone under the expectation of meeting General Grant to learn definitely the terms he proposed in a communication received from him on the 8th, in the event of the surrender of the army, I requested a suspension of hostilities until these terms could be arranged. In the interview which occurred with General Grant in compliance with my request, and terms having been agreed on, I surrendered that portion of the Army of Northern Virginia which was on the field. With its arms, artillery and wagon trains. The officers and men to be paroled retaining their sidearms and private effects. I deemed this course the best under all the circumstances by which we were surrounded.***
***ON THE MORNING of the 9th, according to the reports of the ordnance officers, there were 7,892 organized infantry with arms, with an average of seventy-five rounds of ammunition per man. The artillery, though reduced to sixty-three pieces with ninety-three rounds of ammunition, was sufficient. These comprised all the supplies of ordnance that could be relied on in the State of Virginia. I have no accurate report of the cavalry, but believe it did not exceed 2,100 effective men. The enemy were more than five times our numbers. If we could have forced our way one day longer it would have been at a great sacrifice of life and at its end I did not see how a surrender could have been avoided. We had no subsistence for man or horse and it could not be gathered in the country. The supplies ordered to Pamplin's Station from Lynchburg could not reach us. The men, deprived of food and sleep for many days, were worn out and exhausted.***
WITH RESPECT YOUR OBEDIENT SERVANT
R E LEE ***GENERAL
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***The stern old war-horse, God bless him, was weeping for his men and, I know, praying too that this cup might pass from them. I obeyed the silent assent of his bowed head, an assent given against his own convictions, given in anguish and with reluctance.*****_'Up Men, To Your Posts! Never Forget Today That You Are From Old Virginia!'_***
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