Robert E. Lee, Man and Soldier |
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Common terms and phrases
A. P. Hill advance Appomattox Army of Northern artillery assault attack battle Berkeley bridge brigades CALIFORNIA LIBRARY campaign captain captured cavalry Chaffin's Bluff Chancellorsville Chickahominy Cold Harbor Colonel command Confederacy Confederate Court House D. H. Hill Davis defeat defence Division duty Early enemy enemy's entrenchments eral Ewell Ewell's Federal field fight Fitz Fitz Lee flank force forward fought Fredericksburg front gallant Gettysburg Gordonsville Grant guns Hancock Harper's Ferry held Hooker infantry James Johnston knew Lee's army Lee's left Lee's right letter Longstreet loss Lynchburg Manassas McClellan Meade miles military morning mountains moved movement night North Northern Virginia officers ordered Petersburg Pickett Plank Road Pope position President R. E. LEE Railroad railway Rapidan Rappahannock rear retreat Richmond Ridge river says sent Shenandoah Valley Sheridan Sixth Corps soldier Southern Spottsylvania Court House Stonewall Jackson Stuart success tion troops Union valley victory Washington withdraw wounded wrote
Popular passages
Page 62 - With all my devotion to the Union, and the feeling of loyalty and duty of an American citizen, I have not been able to make up my mind to raise my hand against my relatives, my children, my home.
Page 264 - I have heard, in such a way as to believe it, of your recently saying that both the army and the government needed a dictator. Of course it was not for this, but in spite of it, that I have given you the command. Only those generals who gain successes can set up dictators What I now ask of you is military success, and I will risk the dictatorship.
Page 574 - ... the officers to give their individual paroles not to take up arms against the Government of the United States until properly exchanged, and each company or regimental commander sign a like parole for the men of their commands. The arms, artillery, and public property to be parked and stacked, and turned over to the officers appointed by me to receive them. This will not embrace the side-arms of the officers, nor their private horses or baggage.
Page 684 - Every man thinks meanly of himself for not having been a soldier, or not having been at sea." BOSWELL. " Lord Mansfield does not." JOHNSON. " Sir, if lord Mansfield were in a company of general officers and admirals who have been in service, he would shrink ; he'd wish to creep under the table.
Page 637 - Yes, I know they will say hard things of us; they will not understand how we were overwhelmed by numbers; but that is not the question, Colonel; the question is, is it right to surrender this army? If it is right, then I will take all the responsibility.
Page 609 - ... He was a foe without hate; a friend without treachery; a soldier without cruelty; a victor without oppression; and a victim without murmuring. He was a public officer without vices; a private citizen without wrong; a neighbor without reproach; a Christian without hypocrisy; and a man without guile. He was Caesar without his ambition; Frederick without his tyranny; Napoleon without his selfishness; and Washington without his reward.
Page 577 - After four years of arduous service marked by unsurpassed courage and fortitude the Army of Northern Virginia has been compelled to yield to overwhelming numbers and resources. I need not tell the survivors of so many hard fought battles who have remained steadfast to the last that I have consented to this result from no distrust of them. But feeling that valor and devotion could accomplish nothing that could compensate for the loss that...
Page 578 - By the terms of the agreement, officers and men can return to their homes and remain until exchanged. You will take with you the satisfaction that proceeds from the consciousness of duty faithfully performed; and I earnestly pray that a Merciful God will extend to you His blessing and protection.
Page 571 - There is nothing left me to do but to go and see General Grant, and I would rather die a thousand deaths.
Page 578 - You will take with you the satisfaction that proceeds from the consciousness of duty faithfully performed; and I earnestly pray that a merciful God will extend to you his blessing and protection. With an increasing admiration of your constancy and devotion to your country, and a grateful remembrance of your kind and generous consideration of myself, I bid you an affectionate farewell. RE LEE, General.