The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-20
Robert dward Lee

To all who admire genius in a grea
commander, to all who prize true wortt
and merit in a citizen OF spotless integrity
to all who appreciate self-sacrifice ant
magnanimity in n patriot, to all who love
nobleness Of mind and uprightness Of life
\ both public and domestic, no man appeals
\ perhaps more strongly or awakens 9
keener interest than does Robert Edward
Lee. A soldier without an equal, a man
| without peer.
| The eldest son of Light Horse Harry
the Revolution Robert spent his youth IN
such pastimes and occupations as were
customary and becoming in the son of a
large land owner and prominent citl-
Commonwealth. While comparatively
young he entered West Point Military
Academy. His handsome and comely fig
ure. combined with his graceful and SOL
dlerly bearing. won admiration from all
His scholarly attainments and department
while there were such as to cause his ap-
pointment upon graduation to the United
States corps OF engineers-a position OF
honor and distinction.
Throughout the Mexican War he rem
dered invaluable aid to General Scott
and was recognized by him as the fore
most officer of that celebrated campaign.
We see the Keynote Of his whole life
sounded when at the outbreak OF the
Civil War he was called upon to decide
whether he would support the Union. or
cast in his lot with and share the fate OF
his native State. II was crucial point
crisis in the life OF our great hero. On
one side, by the offer of the supreme COM
mand of the whole northern army, lay
hopes of a brilliant military career, final
success, honor and glory. On the other
side, lay no such prospects OF earthly
gain. no such slorious aspects Of success.
but the call Of duty was loud and clear.
It was indeed a critical moment, but his
ears were not deafened to that CALL He
heard its pleadings-he obeyed.
) VA oAASAAAh iiAS SSlNiGSS " MS uduSC
State. he was appointed commander of
Virsin!a's troops in the field and labored
to drill. train and provide for their needs
in the war which he knew to be inevitable
When in the battle of Seven Pines"
THE Army OF Northern Virginia" was
deprived of it's general-in- chief by the |
severe wounds OF Johnston. he was APP
pointed to succeed him in this important |
and responsible position.
AT this Tina the cannon Of Mcclellan |
were laundering almost at the very gates |
OF Richmond Itself, Lees position was
difficult, that Of the South dangerous and
preoartous in tho extreme. nevertheless he |
YVES equal to the emergency. Lee display
ed such energy. insight and ability that
after several days of the most arduous
labor and desperate fighting Mcclellan
was compelled 10 fall back and thus the
capital Of the Confederacy was freed
from an impending capture After this.
three separate invading armies In success
sion attempted to force their way to
Richmond. It being the ultimate end Of !,
each campaign. But each army was hurl- |
ed back upon Washington with ever In
creaaing force The battles of Second
Freder cksburg and Chancel- |
defeats inflicted by Lee upon
the North about this time
In the summer of the same year Lee |
determined to move north. For doing this |
he had a three-fold END in view; he |
hoped to encourage the already half in
clined Marylanders to declare their In
dependence he cherished hopes of captur-
Ing washington and finally he deemed It |
probable that this move especially II he |
could accomplish one OF the aforemen-
toned objeots) would influence foreign
nations to recognize the Independence Of
the Confederacy. But, alas All his
plans were frustrated at Gettysburg.
After the unsuccessful termination OF
this campaign the. Confederates fell back
to perseyere doggedly to the end Later
Lee engaged the almost innumernble hosts
Of the victorious Grant in the remarka-
BILE battles Of the Wilderness, hut against
such fearful odds he could hold out no
longer. Accordingly. he surrendered the
last remnant Of his worn and exhausted
army to Grant at Appomattox.
After an unsuccessful attempt on the
part OF the North to indict General Lee
on tho charge Of treason. he was made
President of Washington College, and
tried to divert his mind from the misery
and distress no saw around him on every
side by educating the hardened soldier Of
the battle field, thus rendering him TT
FOR the duties OF life which would devolve
upon him in his new calling.
But, The scenes of desolation and sorrow
which pervaded his native land we'll nigh
broke his great heart. Amid these sad ex-
periences Lee passed away. He had COM
forted, no had encouraged. he had sor-
rowed for. he had wept for his suffering
Friend and foe alike
lonored his memory. Tho South mourned
lcr great loss and could not be comforted.
A man OF cosmopolitan reputation ana
'enown; his fame has confined itself not
% America nor to Europe but has pene-
rated every corner OF the globe. When
shall his glory fade or wax dim In the
minds OF the people OF this Southland
II his? When shall he be forgotten by
mankind or when shall he pass from tho
memory OF posterty and the civilized
world? A man 80 noble. so true, so pure.
so elevated. OF such good report. spoken
of by Senator Hin az Caesar without ,
lis ambition, Frederick without his tyran-
~, Napoleon without his selfshness and
without his reward"
w. 3, BLANTON.