On the 19th of this month, a very great man from American history [was] honored on his birthday. That man is Robert Edward Lee of Virginia. Known as “General Lee” to those of us that study and revere those honorable parts and persons from our history, he was, and is still a giant in character and personality.
From the moment he was born in 1807, Lee was influenced by the memory of that greatest of all Virginians, George Washington. Lee’s own father, General “Light Horse” Harry Lee, said of Washington, “First in war, first in peace, first in the hearts of his countrymen.” Lee emulated Washington in everything he did, and although he was not perfect any more than Washington was, he came closer than most of us could ever hope to.
Lee graduated from West Point with no demerits, and set academic records that were not broken for decades. He served as an engineer, fought against fiercely brave Indians, and was one of the greatest heroes of the Mexican War. He was later called by his commanding officer in Mexico (Brevet Lt. General Winfield Scott) the “the greatest living soldier in America.”
Lee was, however, a man of his time and his loyalty and sense of honor to his native state of Virginia was foremost in guiding his actions. The former superintendent of West Point was forced to follow Virginia out of the old Union in 1861. Quickly appointed commander of all Virginia state forces, he was later commissioned a general in the Confederate service where he went on to gain the fame that has made and kept his name one of the most famous in world history.
Lee’s dignity and character was prominently displayed in victory, and more so in defeat. His presence at Appomattox overwhelmed that of his conquerers. As he left the McLean house every Union soldier, both officer and enlisted man, stood and saluted. Ending his life while serving as president of Washington College (now Washington and Lee University) in 1870, Lee until his last day continued to show us all an example of what we should strive to be.
His philosophy of education would, if adopted today, cure every ill in our school system. That philosophy was stated very clearly to one of his students at Washington College in response to a request for a copy of the rules and regulations: “Sir, the only rule here is that every student must be a gentleman.”
I am proud of my ancestors that served in Lee’s army, and I am proud of General Lee, and I hope that all who read this letter will take a moment of their time and remember him, and his character.
Scott K. Gilbert, Jr., commander
Gen. Lafayette McLaws Camp 79
Sons of Confederate Veterans
skgbama@bellsouth.net
www.fayettescv.com
Fayetteville, Ga.