The Adair County news. [volume] (Columbia, Ky.) 1897-1987, 1907-02-27

mented by his actual experience on the
field of battle, had eminently prepared
him for the new position. Having a
keen sense of the responsibility now
resting upon him, he introduced many
changes and brought about many re-
forms in the Academy that were whole
some and conducive to the best inter-
ests of the student body.
Gen. Lee was next sent to Fort
Sumpter and other places along the
coast with corps of engineers to make
greater preparation for the coast de-
Tense. Little did he think that within
the next few year she, with great army
would be as eagerly engaged in an eff
fort to destroy these Notifications.
When the dark clouds of the Civil
War were gathering. Gen. Lee was
stationed in Texas. The infrmities of
age were so upon Gen. Scott as to
practically unfit him for further service
at the head Of the army in the field.
1t became apparent that Gen. Lee was
the logical man to succeed Gen. Scott.
Lee, himself, was not a secessionist
and declared, when approached upon
the subject, that, eff the millions of
slaves in the South were nine, would
free them all with one stroke Of the
pen to avert this war" Every infiu-
ence possible was being brought to bear
upon General Lee to induce him TO re-
main with the Federal government; to
this end President Lincoln sent mes
senger to Gen. Lee and offered to give
him supreme command of the forces in
the field. He loved the Stars and
Stripes under which he fought so
bravely in the Mexican War, and to &C
cept Mr. Lincoln's offer meant to take
command Ct a finely equipped army,
This, with the wealth of the Federal
government and its vast resources of
men and munitions OF war back of him.
would, in all probability, lead to victo-
ry-Victory would ultimately result in
his election to the presidency.
True to his convictions of right, he
replied to the messenger, Mr.. Blair,
II cannot bear arms against my state,
my home, and my children - Thus,
without fear of consequences or hope Of
personal gain, he cast his lot with the
Confederacy.
When General Lees mind was fully
made up and his position taken, Gen.
Scott said, "Lea would have been
worth ten thousand volunteers to us. :"
Whether his final position was right
or wrong. he was true to his convic-
tons, and no temptation with the ex-
ception of the temptation Of Jesus
Christ in the wilderness, has come to
man greater than this Federal offer to
Gen. Lee, and never has temptation re-
vealed truer character.
The great struggle having begun,
Lee, by his brilliant attacks and ma
neuvers, baffied and defeated McCleli-
and On every hand until ne absolutely
forced him from the field and caused
the Federal Government to take his
command from mm.
.aa Cnea defeated one after another
until he was snAlly confronted by Gen.
Grant with one Of the finest armies the
world has ever seen. For some time
Lee more than held his own until final
", seeing he was so greatly outnum-
bered that to prolong the struggle
meant the murder Of his men, he sur
rendered.
think we have before US an ideal
General. The world has been inclined
to idealize the victor without any re-
gard for how victory was won; and 1T
has been said that, nothing succeeds
like success" but this is too general a
term to apply in this case. Little by
little we are beginning to understand