Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1917-02-14
ROBERT EDWARD LEE.
The Man, The Soldier, The College
President.


President.
Essay by Miss Willie Peak, which
won first prize offered by U. Z. c.
Robert Edward Lee was born at
Stratford, Westmoreland County,
Virginia, on the 18th of January,
1907. His father was General Hen
ry Lee, sometimes called Light
Horse Harry Lee" His was a noble
lineage and this heritage was always
sustained by our peerless hero with
out a stain.
From early youth to declining
days, promptness to obey the call CT
duty was the keynote to Lees life.
His worthy manhood is seen in his
serving each appointment in life
we'll and unselfishly; an instance vf
this is told, that one night the SOL
diers had planned to give a ban
quet, and amid all the festivities of
the day, Captain Lees friends
missed him, and on searching for
him they found him in his quarters
busy on a map. The friends be-
sought the Captain to leave his work
for clerk to attend to, that the
banquet was in full progress, then
came Lees bold reply, "No, I am
but doing my duty, and with me in
small matters, as well as in large
ones, duty must come before pleas
ure." And so on through great
combats, whether in defeat or VIC
tory, he ever strove to do his duty.
This great characteristic shown with
radiance throughout his life.
He had clean, pure habits, and
touched neither tobacco, whiskey
nor brandy and could rarely ever be
induced to drink a glass of wine ev-
en- for sickness. He used his power
full influence to discourage its use
in the trenches and among the stu
dents, He said, 81 cannot con-
sent to put in control of others, one
who cannot control himself" He
heartily approved of the "Fr;ends
of Temperance" and co-operated
with them in every way.
"Self Denial for the Good of Others"
Was another eminent trait. The
dainties sent to him he gave to the
sick or wounded and contented him
self with the same amount and quail
ity of food that an ordinary sol.
dier had, which was sometimes only
two cold potatoes.
General Echula was compelled to
give up the command of the South
west Virginians. President Davis
hearing of the gallant deeds OF
Lees son, Gusts Lee, suggested
that he be appointed to this vacan-
cy. General Lee thanked him, but
said that he could not think Of
passing over his old officers ard
choosing a fresh one for this, and
added to Lees self-denial we may
consider justice. He made no diTe".
ence in his men. They were all q
member of the same brotherhood,
working for the same cause, in his
eyes. When one OF his sons vas
taken prisoner, a federal Officer
wrote Lee, asking him to obtain his
release. The gallant general re-
piled, 81 decline to ask any favor
for my son that could not be asked
for the hunblest soldier in the ar
N.Y. DR.. VIM. Jones said, "Sareiy
the pages of this worlds history af-
fords no nobler example of self-dc-
NAL for the good of others than the
modest, unobtrusive life of the
Christian soldier and model rlan,
ROBERT EDWARD LEE"
He was a thoroughly consecrated
Christian. He frequented the SOL
diers prayer meeting and knelt in
the dust beside the humble men.
and they with their chieftain, pour
ed out their hearts alike to the Al
mighty. His real Christian man.
hood is seen in his kindness to snb-
ordinatcs. His soldiers loved him.
1t is here that we find the heart of
every person, their attitude towards
them-less worthy of love. He has
proved by his life, chat him no
adversely could ever move, nor poll
cy ct any time entice to shrink from
God and from his word"
Lee The Soldier.
AS I have said General Lee was
a son of the distinguished Light
Horse Harry" Lee, and it is from
him that Robert E. Lee inherited
his unsurpassed military skill.
After Lee entered West Poin; he
soon rose to prominenc" TT made
use of every opportunity given him.
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