Life and Letters of Robert Edward Lee: Soldier and Man |
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A. P. Hill able Arlington Army of Northern artillery attack battle brigade camp campaign Captain Lee captured cavalry Colonel Lee command Confederate corps daughter Davis dear death defense division duty endeavor enemy enemy's eral father fear Federal feel Fitz Lee Fitzhugh Fitzhugh Lee flank force Fredericksburg friends gallant Gettysburg glad Grant happiness HEADQUARTERS ARMY heard honor hope horse J. E. B. Stuart Jackson James River JEFFERSON DAVIS Johnston Lee's letter Lexington Longstreet McClellan Meade ment military morning mother move never night North Northern Virginia obedient servant officers Petersburg position Potomac prayer President prisoners R. E. LEE received regiment reply Richmond road Robert Robert Edward Lee says sent soldier soon South success surrender Sydney Smith Lee tell tion troops victory Washington College wish wounded writes wrote yesterday
Popular passages
Page 373 - The arms, artillery, and public property to be parked and stacked, and turned over to the officer appointed by me to receive them. This will not embrace the side-arms of the officers, nor their private horses or baggage. This done, each officer and man will be allowed to return to their homes, not to be disturbed by United States authority so long as they observe their parole and the laws in force where they may reside.
Page 224 - I have done this upon what appear to me to be sufficient reasons. And yet I think it best for you to know that there are some things in regard to which, I am not quite satisfied with you. I believe you to be a brave and skilful soldier, which, of course, I like. I also believe you do not mix politics with your profession, in which you are right.
Page 370 - The result of the last week must convince you of the hopelessness of further resistance on the part of the army of Northern Virginia in this struggle. I feel that it is so, and regard it as my duty to shift from myself the responsibility of any further effusion of blood by asking of you the surrender of that portion of the Confederate States army known as the army of Northern Virginia.
Page 121 - Still a Union that can only be maintained by swords and bayonets, and in which strife and civil war are to take the place of brotherly love and kindness, has no charm for me. I shall mourn for my country and for the welfare and progress of mankind. If the Union is dissolved, and the government disrupted, I shall return to my native state and share the miseries of my people, and save in defense will draw my sword on none.
Page 224 - General : I have placed you at the head of the Army of the Potomac. Of course I have done this upon what appear to me to be sufficient reasons, and yet I think it best for you to know that there are some things in regard to which I am not quite satisfied with you. I believe you to be a brave and skilful soldier, which, of course, I like.
Page 376 - 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 unceasing admiration of your constancy and devotion to your country, and a grateful remembrance of your kind and generous consideration of myself, I bid you an affectionate farewell.
Page 402 - Learn from yon orient shell to love thy foe, And store with pearls the hand that brings thee woe : Free, like yon rock, from base vindictive pride, Emblaze with gems the wrist that rends thy side...
Page 371 - I will meet you, or will designate officers to meet any officers you may name for the same purpose, at any point agreeable to you, for the purpose of arranging definitely the terms upon which the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia will be received.
Page 133 - I know you will blame me; but you must think as kindly of me as you can, and believe that I have endeavored to do what I thought right.
Page 224 - I have heard, in such a way as to believe it, of your recently saying, that both the army and the government needed a dictator. Of course it was not for this, but in spite of it, that I have; given you the command. Only those generals who gain successes can set up dictators. What I now ask of you is military success, and I will risk the dictatorship.