Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1907-02-22
IRVINGTON, VIRGINIA, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22 1907
OUR LEE.

A poem written by Rev. Richard Ferguson
for the Lane Diggs Camp, January II. 1907
What shall say of our great chieftain?
man of pure, Spotless life and tongue
From race of blooded heroes sprung.
A gentleman, to the manner born.
In youth. bright, fresh as vernal morn.
In manhood's prime, of knightliest mien,
Vlrginian OF purest type seen.
A Saladin, whose courage never quailed.
Whether vict'ry or defeat prevailed.
Whose honor bright was always main
tanned,
Whether encountering foe or friend.
A patriot, high-minded, pure and true
Who, sword for gain or glory e'er drew
Save his own Southland and State defend
From ev'ry foreign foe or false friend.
A noble example, high, holy.
Above reproach, and truly lovely,
10 boys and men of every craft,
Because so devoid of greed and graft.
Because in word and thought so chaste,
SO temperate in life, tongue and taste,
Lips with profanity unpolluted,
revolted,
Strong to feel, strong 10 will, strong TO
think,
Yet never indulging in strong drink,
Nor dellghting in pipe or cigarette,
Yet lacking not in true etiquette.
Nor wanting in sociability,
And genuine hospitality
A scholar himself, well trained and
taught,
He knew full well how others ought.
And when for him the time came to
choose,
Salaries of wealth did he refuse,
LuXurles and ease stoutly declined,
Inc teachers gavel with strong hand
seized,
And closed his life in training the youth
That looked to him from his native South
A man of rare gifts, highly polished,
W. WIN IN love ana Kindness richly garnished.
VI faults fewest, of blunders rarest.
Yet like the rest, mortal at best.
A statesman, in intellect broad and sound
Alert, quick, full of wisdom profound:
For an emergency well equipped,
Ready, resourceful, IL one plan failed
Another and another would arise,
Sound as thought and reason could devise
A strategist of wit, rich and quick.
Yet wholly devoid of guilty trick.
An engineer, endowed with keen eve.
The points weak and strong to descry.
Who knew where and when to fortify,
To run ditch as fight battle.
An organizer, whose well-trained mind
Could rearrange, adjust and combine
Bodies OF men in confusion found,
And lead them out, though dangers
surround.
A general in every sense,
Who knew how TO make the best
defence,
Turn the right or left, or center strike.
10 stand or retreat, or the rear seek,
Who could on paper plan a campaign.
Manoeuvre in wilderness or plain,
Who could advance or retreat at will,
Though rivers obstruct, mountain and
hill,
Mud, rain and SHOWS and the real foes,
All stand abreast ready to oppose.
A General quick and far-seeing,
That could forecast the others design
And prepare in time to foil in fine
His well-matured plans on every line.
A soldier, brave, bold, but self
possessed,
Not reckless, but when duty demanded,
Fear vanished and danger disappeared,
AS once, in Spotsylvania he rushed
To lead back his shattered columns
crushed,
Like lion for his prey raging,
But gallant Gordon, the reins seizing,
Exclaimed, mo, sir, it shall never be. !"
While the men cried, General Lee to
the rear"
And on they dash with glad shout and
cheer,
Back to drive the victorious hosts.
And the lost ground regain at all costs.
AS Gettysburg, to Pickett's walls of
shame,
.'On me, he replied, "put all the blame, ."
And called his scattered men to rally.
And still resist tn enemy bravely.
Ee n when to numbers overwhelming, 4"
And resources" unlimited Welding.
At Appomattox proudly he stood,
soldier still, for all that man could,
Triumphant in defeat, honor crowned.
For both wisdom and courage renowned.
A hero, whose grand life will be told.
In every CLINE, by young and old,
In story, song and verse sublimest,
AS long as the universe shall last.
A leader with duty as watchword,
whose highest aim was to serve his Lord.
A lover of God and ali mankind,
"A friend to his foes, as few could find,
Their good he sought, their veal he
studied,
Neither malice nor revenge revealed.
Above all these, model Christian,
Good and faithful in ev'ry station;
Like jackson, his greatest Lieutenant,
He lived a saint, and died triumphant.
| say, Three cheers for Robert E. Lee.
Who the dawning of day did first see
In-the year of our Lord eighteen seven,
Just one hundred wears ago even.