The Legend and Legacy of Lee
A Fading of the Grey series
David Chaltas
@Copyrighted material
$25.00
Forward
He now rests in the land that he loved. But there was a moment in time when a giant rode upon the land. There was an instance when a man of Christian character, values and mystery arose to become the very symbol of the southern cause. He was a man of sorrow yet was filled with the joy and the spirit of living during a time of death and dying. He was a father, a son, a husband and a soldier that served his country for over thirty years before resigning himself to a greater fate. There once existed a man during a brief period of time in which America stood upon a threshold of awakening hesitating. This is my interpretation of his saga.
By all standards, our beloved General was no doubt the greatest general of all times. His character, his values, his tenacity in battle, his love of country and his genuine concern for his boys were all part of his Christian character. One of the many tributes paid to General Lee was by General John Brown Gordon. He summated the essence of the man as seen by friend and foe. In his reminiscences he stated, "Lee exhibited everywhere all those lofty characteristics which have made the name of Scipio immortal. He not only possessed true genius,-the ‘gift that Heaven gives and which buy a place next to a king.’-he had what was better than genius-a heart whose every throb was in harmony with the teachings of the Great Captain whom he served. He had a spirit naturally robust and aggressive, but he made it loyally obedient to the precepts of the Divine Master. In the combination of great qualities, he will be adjudged in history as measuring up as few commanders have ever done to Scipio’s loft conception of the noblest soldier: the commander who could win victories, but who found more pleasure in the protection afforded defenceless citizens than in the disasters inflicted upon armed enemies." (Reminiscences of the Civil War; Gordon, John Brown; New York; C. Scribner’s Sons, 1904)
Many things impressed this fielder’s mind while researching Robert Edward Lee. I first started reading about his military exploits but quickly diverted my attention to the Christian Character of Lee. Here was a man of honor and beliefs! I remember
reading of his self-denial as evidenced by General Ewell when the city of Petersburg was being evacuated. He had not time to eat and General Lee insisted that he take his lunch that was in a bag. It consisted of two cold sweet potatoes. He would only eat what his boys had simply stating, "I am content to share the rations of my men." He never possessed a home in his own name though his greatest aspiration was to be the owner of a small farm away from the public spotlight. He diplomatically turned down positions of honor and wealth. One of my favorite stories is of an insurance company that offered him a salary of $10,000 compensate him for the use of his good name. He forcefully replied, "I am sorry, sir, that you are so little acquainted with my character as to suppose that my name is for sale at any price." Another company offered him $50,000 to go to New York and become president of a commerce company. A wealthy Englishman that was an admirer of his character offered Lee and his family a home in England with 3,000 lbs provided a year. Lee graciously declined all offers and instead took a job rebuilding a failing college but more importantly took upon his shoulders the task of rebuilding his beloved Virginia and country. For Lee was a true patriot and had served the red, white and blue for over thirty years. Even within the ranks of gray, he was still an American fighting for his beliefs and honor, never relinquishing to the pressure of many but only to the verdict of his conscious. (Life & Letters of Gen. Robert Edward Lee; Jones, W.J.; Sprinkle Publications; Harrisonburg, Virginia; 1986; @ by Neale Publishing Company in 1906; page 444-446)Not perfect by any measure, his life personifies a time of great turmoil. It is said that he possessed a bad temper but managed it so well that he was seen as calm and quiet among his men… He was a man of honor and morals. He was a man of God during an ungodly time. In all things he prayed and prior to the battle, after spending countless hours with his Maker in prayer, he would give the outcomes into God’s hands.
He was a man of God during an ungodly time. In all things he prayed and prior to the battle, after spending countless hours with his Maker in prayer, he would give the outcome of the forthcoming battle into God’s hands. He was a man to look up to and set standards by. He was a man to look up to and set standards by. He was a mortal man, possessing a shy disposition and at times seemingly to be reserved with a graceful dignity. He was a man with a taste for buttermilk and sweet potatoes. He possessed a very keen wit and great sense of humor. He was a man that was surrounded by sorrow and death yet never failed to embrace life. A mortal man that touched immortality through his commitments to a cause long since disappeared, love of his state, and dignity during victories as well as defeats. He was a man of the ages that etched our nation by his struggle. He was a man that showed us all how to life humbly and was instrumental in the reunification of our country by his example of being a true American. He was a man, an immortal in the mind of history: yet he was just a man; the legend, the legacy: General Robert Edward Lee.