The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-20
High School Pupils Fine Essay
on Great Confederate
Chieftain.
Essay read at Richmond High School
celebration on Friday by Miss Emma


Wilson Morrss, one OF tho pupils.
~ OBERT EDWARD LEE, the son
of General Henry Lee, commonly
TX known as "Light-Korse Harry"
Il " Lee, and Anne Fill Carter, was
born January 49, 1907, at STRAIT
ford Westmorelnnd county. VA. When
he was only six years old his father left
home soeking health. Robert never saw
him again, as he died while away. Thus
1t was his mothers love and care that
made Robert what he was. AS youth
he was obscrvant, respectful and dignifled,
devoted to his mother and showing the
utmost consideration for her He OBJ
tanned his early education at good pri-
vate schools In Alexandria. Being sedats
and studious, he stood high In the esti-
nation of his teachers. and was beloved
by his comrades. When eighteen years
old. a cadetship in the United States Mil
itary Academy Mt West Point was OBJ
tained for him by General Andrew Jack
son. While here he gave the closest at
tention to all his duties, and perfect obe-
dence to all military drills, tactics and
commands. He held positions of high
honor In his class, and graduated second
In n class OF forty-six. without having
received single demerit, and having
conscientiously discharged all duties con-
fided to him. Upon leaving West Point
he was commissioned brevet second lieu
tenant In tho Engineering Corps. where
he won high reputation. Two years later
he married Mary Custis, granddaughter
OF Martha Cust!s.
Later Lee was made first lieutenant and
then captain. He served in the Mexi-
can War. and was frequently consulted
by General Scott. He surpassed all other
officers In daring, scientific counsels and
faithful execution of orders. General
Scott said his own Success was largely
duo to the skill. valor and undaunted
courage of Robert z. Lee" At the close
OF the war Lee was made n member OF
tho United States Board OF Engineers.
later was superintendent OF West Point
Academy, and afterwards served In West
ern Texas. protecting the border settlers
from the Indians. where ne was promoted
to the rank OF colonel. When John Brown
raided Harpers Ferry he was mt his
home, Arlington. on a furlouyh. The War
Department. recognizing that man Of
sound Judgment, experience and courage
was needed to suppress the raiders, Sc
lected Lee. That he was em!nen,Iy sue
cessful Is well known
So busy was he with his duties in
Texas that little OF the strife between
the North and South reached his ears.
When Virginia seeded. Lee felt that II
was his duty, however painful It might
be for him to part from his old ccrntades
TO Join her and swear allegiance to the
Stars and Bars. He was entreated b.
General Scott to serve the Union. and
Lincoln offered him the command OF the
Federal army, but he refused, SAYING
that ne could take no part In an inva-
sion OF the Southern States" And lie
never faltered in his allegiance to his be-
loved South, or doubted the correctness
OF his decision. He said long afterwa rts:
could have taken no other course
without dishonor. and If 1t all were to be
gone over again. should act In precisely
the same manner"
When he reached Richmond he was
appointed commander-in-cti of the
virginia forces. and was one Of the five
iuii generals In the Confederate service.
July. 1851. he took command in West Vir-
ginia- The campaign failed through the
fanlt OF others. and the newspapers criti-
cised him severely. He was then put In
charge OF the seacoast defenses in South
Carolina and Georgia, where he dis
played remarkable skill in engineering.
February, 1862, he was appointed mill
tary adviser to President Davis, which
position he held until the woundine of
General Johnston at Seven Pines, when
he was given command OF the Army of
Northern Virginia. 1t Is impossible TO
speak here of his numerous battles.
Suffice 1t to say that he displayed al
most superhuman skill and ingenuity in
resisting So long and so faithfully such
enormous odds. and met and overcame
obstacles with the resourcefulness of the
highest military genius. Lees plan of
action at Gettysburg has been severely
criticised 1t is rather unjust to criti-
else on account OF the result produced.