The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1918-01-24
Glowing Tribute TO r. E. Lee


1t is stated, and believe it, that he
declined high rank and command in
the federal army before accepting a
commission from his state. This
commission was accepted with fear
and trembling. His expressed de-
sire that someone better fitted should
be chosen was earnest and sincere.
Later he accepted without murmur
the lower grade of brigadier general
in the Confederate army, and during
the first six months of the war re-
mained contentedly in the background,
busy with the work of organization.
But notwithstanding his modesty, his
merit could not be concealed. He had
the high quality of inspiring men with
confidence, and this worked more
powerfully in his favor than would the
wire-pulling which his soul disdained.
he was suddenly called upon to take
command of great army in collision
with powerful enemy. You all re-
member President Lincoln's remarks
about swapping horses while crossing
the stream. Well, Mr.. Jefferson
Davis accomplished that difficult feat.
That Lee could take up the task at
such moment and carry it on so sue
cessfully must ever stand as a monu-
ment to his genius.
1t is di cult to make comparison
between Lee and his first great op-
ponent. In the battles against Nc
Clellan Lee had the advantage of in
terror lines within his own territory
the aid of on intensely loyal popula-
tion, which furnished an active reliable
service of information, even pentrat-
ing to the inner councils of the enemy.
Those advantages more than counter
balanced inferiority of numbers and
supplies.
Although McClellan's army was
numerically stronger and better sup
piled, he was an invader in a bitterly
hostile country, vexed with the prob
lem of transportation over had coun-
try roads and hampered by the dis
trust of his government, a distrust at
first of his political ambition, but
finally including his plan of campaign
1t is probable that Lee was well ad-
vised of this and he made good use
of his knowledge by detaching Jack
son for the rapid movement down the
Shenandoah Valley threatening Wash
ington. This measure had the effect
Lee had foreseen. Support was
withheld from Mcclellan and that of
ficer was himself recalled from his
position on the James River so incon-
veniently near the Confederate capital
Lee must have rejoiced when he
heard of the new policy which left him
free to move against the fresh fed
eral general and overwhelm him. This
done, sound policy seemed to dictate
the invasion of the north. He hoped
to make the north feel the full moral
effect of his late victory; to inspire
the people Of the south by a victory
upon northern soil; to advance the
credit of his government in the worlds
money markets, and to secure it's re.
cognition by England and France
He also hoped to lure the federal
armies away from Washington, leav.
ing it uncovered, and to obtain re-
cruits and supplies in Maryland. His
obpectives and line of advance were
we'll chosen and the moment certainly
opportune, when the Washington gov
ernment had done its best to make
an effective army noneffective and had
discredited it's best general.
The stress of circumstances now
forced that government to call upon
Mcclellan to head of the enemy. The
armies met at Antietam and Lee
was forced to retreat.
The failure of his invasion demon
strated the weakness of the South
Lee was deficient in supplies and the