Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Volume 6: Volume 6

8. Robert E. Lee

foe. It was a priceless blessing to the Republic that the era of the Rebellion did not breed a Marius and a Sulla, a Caesar and a Pompey, or a Charles the First and a Cromwell, but that the power to which its destinies were entrusted was wielded by a Lincoln and a Grant. 8 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis, President, Confederate States of America robert e. lee, gentleman, scholar, gallant soldier, great general, and true Christian,was born inWestmoreland County,Virginia,on January 19,1807. He was the youngest son of General Henry Lee, who was familiarly known as “Light Horse Harry” in the traditions of the War of the Revolution, and who possessed the marked confidence and personal regard of General Washington. R. E. Lee entered the United States Military Academy in the summer of 1825, after which my acquaintance with him commenced.He was,as I remember him, larger and looked more mature than the average “plebe,” but less so than [Charles] Mason,who was destined to be the head of his class.His soldierly bearing and excellent conduct caused him in due succession to rise through the several grades and to be the adjutant of the corps of cadets when he was graduated .It is stated that he had not then a demerit’s mark standing against him,which is quite credible if all “reports” against him had been cancelled,because they were not for wanton or intentional delinquency. Though numerically rated second in his class,his proficiency was such that he was assigned to the Engineer Corps, which for many years he adorned both as a military and civil engineer. He was of the highest type of manly beauty, yet seemingly unconscious of it, and so respectful and unassuming as to make him a general favorite before his great powers had an opportunity for manifestation. His mind led him to analytic rather than perceptive methods for obtaining results. From the date of his graduation in 1829 until 1846 he was engaged in various professional duties, and had by regular promotion attained to the grade of captain of engineers. As such he feared for that which is the crowning glory of man: he offered himself for the welfare of others. He went to Mexico with the rank of captain of engineers, and by gallantry and meritorious conduct rose to the rank of colonel in the army, commission by brevet. After his return he resumed his duties as an officer of the Engineer Corps. While employed in the Robert E. Lee • 91 03.75-100_Cozz 12/2/03, 8:46 AM 91 92 • part 3: leaders, civilian and military construction of Fort Carroll,near Baltimore,an event occurred which illustrates his nice sentiment of honor.Some members of the Cuban Junta called upon him and offered him the command of an expedition to overthrow the Spanish control of the island. A very large sum of money was to be paid immediately upon his acceptance of their proposition, and a large sum thenceforward was to be paid monthly. Lee came to Washington to converse with me upon the subject. After a brief discussion of the military problem, he said it was not that he had come to consult me about; the question he was considering was whether, while an officer in the United States Army and because of any reputation he might have acquired as such, he could accept a proposition for foreign service against a government with which the United States were at peace. The conclusion was his decision to decline any further correspondence with the Junta. In 1852 Colonel Lee was made superintendent of the United States Military Academy; a position for which he seemed to be peculiarly fitted as well by his attainments as by his fondness for young people, his fine personal appearance, and impressive manners. When, a year or two thereafter, I visited the academy, and was surprised to see so many gray hairs on his head, he confessed that the A Postwar Image of Robert E. Lee (Century) 03.75-100_Cozz 12/2/03, 8:46 AM 92 cadets did exceedingly worry him, and then it was perceptible that his sympathy with young people was rather an impediment than a qualification for the superintendency. In 1855 four new regiments were added to the army, two of cavalry and two of infantry.Captain Lee of the...