Happy B-Day Robert E. Lee

[Jeff in SC]

This is the Bi-centinnial birthday of Gen. Robert E. Lee. He was born January 19th, 1807 and died on 12 October 12th, 1870. He was a great American soldier and general in the Confederate States army. He is ranked as on of the worlds greatest generals.

Some interesting notes about Robert Lee's life...

William Mac Lee, stood by Robert E. Lee's side throughout the war, serving as his cook and confidant. This former slave and friend described Lee with these words, "I was raised by one of the greatest men in the world. There was never one born of a woman greater than Gen. Robert E. Lee".

Near Petersburg, Lee was observed kneeling in prayer, a short distance from the road, as his troops marched by. ---from Part 8, Chapter 19 of "A LIFE OF GEN. ROBERT E. LEE." BY JOHN ESTEN COOKE

Robert E. Lee's Prayer:
"Help me to be, to think, to act what is right because it is right; make me truthful, honest, and honorable in all things; make me intellectually honest for the sake of right and honor and without thought of reward to me."--- From the Truman Library. This Robert E. Lee prayer was memorized by Harry Truman, and Used by Truman throughout his life.

General Lee resigned his position in the United States army and led the CSA against U.S. Grant of the northern states because he was a beleiver in state's rights. It was not just a one issue war, a war over slavery, as is so often poorly taught in schools today. Economics, power, politics, greed(40% increase of taxes on the south), a domination of the Northern interests over the Southern people, were the driving forces behind this conflict. These factors are often overlooked in today's politically correct history lessons.

Lee said..."We must forgive our enemies. I can truly say that not a day has passed since the war began that I have not prayed for them." from Part 8, Chapter 19 of "A LIFE OF GEN. ROBERT E. LEE." BY JOHN ESTEN COOKE

Thank God for such a man of valor, honor and integrity!!!

info. from www.sonofthesouth.net and www.scv674.org

[BowtechAndy]

Happy Birthday General.
Sorry we kicked your butt many years ago:eek:
You would have been reveared as the greatest general ever had the south won the civil war.

[JAVI]

Happy Birthday General.
Sorry we kicked your butt many years ago:eek:
You would have been reveared as the greatest general ever had the south won the civil war.
If he had not loved his country so much he would have entered Washington at the first battle of Manassas and won the war... He was a very honorable man who was force by his beliefs in state's rights to fight a war he never wanted. The site of Arlington National Cemetery was his home.

[Red Rocker]

Lee was a great man, it's my understanding that Lincoln asked him to lead the Northern army first, he declined for the above mentioned reasons.
As far as the reasons for the war, it's always about the Benjamins, nobility had little to do with it.

[Kitsap]

"General Lee resigned his position in the United States army and led the CSA against U.S. Grant of the northern states because he was a beleiver in state's rights. "

Hey, happy Birthday General! And know that it isn't just Southerners who admire you. You are truly a man of conscience.

Thanks for the heads-up Jeff.

[RCL]

A toast to an honorable man..........:cheers:

[Joel C]

:plain:

[rembrandt]

Yes, he was a good general and number one ever at West Point. McAuthur being number two. He did OK till Gettysburg where he lost the war. If he hadn't lost his right arm ( Stonewall ) and if he had listened to Longstreet he would have won that major battle. He told Longstreet, after Longstreet told him to go around and dig in between the Yanks and Washington, that God had chosen this site to do battle and that was where it was going to be. Rather it was overconfidence or stuborness, no one really knows but sending troops across an open field against an enemy behind a stone wall with cannon and cannister was suicidal. Many a young man fell and cost him and the South the war. I think he was weary of the whole war and wanted closure! Napoliantic tactics agains't modern weponry was brutal. The Yanks did the same thing at Marysville and got their butts handed to them. Why didn't Lee get the message?

[Jeff in SC]

Yes, he was a good general and number one ever at West Point. McAuthur being number two. He did OK till Gettysburg where he lost the war. If he hadn't lost his right arm ( Stonewall ) and if he had listened to Longstreet he would have won that major battle. He told Longstreet, after Longstreet told him to go around and dig in between the Yanks and Washington, that God had chosen this site to do battle and that was where it was going to be. Rather it was overconfidence or stuborness, no one really knows but sending troops across an open field against an enemy behind a stone wall with cannon and cannister was suicidal. Many a young man fell and cost him and the South the war. I think he was weary of the whole war and wanted closure! Napoliantic tactics agains't modern weponry was brutal. The Yanks did the same thing at Marysville and got their butts handed to them. Why didn't Lee get the message?


You have obliviously studied the war also! Stonewall's death was a large setback for the south.

[YankeeRebel]

Happy Birthday Robert E. Lee. Great post for a great man. :thumbs_up

[Dredly]

Remmy don't forget about the missing Calvary that led him to Gettysburg in the first place (they were off playing in Harrisburg if I remember correctly) and not doing what they were supposed to be doing.

Lee also faced off against something like 4 different generals of the Potomac. Grant was just the last one and by all accounts he wasn't a very good general at all, he just stepped into a role for a war that was already won.

The south really had no chance of victory. the North had all the manufacturing and population to pulverize them, that the south did so well in the war is a true testament to Lee's skills and the skills of his fellow generals.

If you've never been to Gettysburg its a good trip... standing at "the high water mark of the confederacy" and "devils rock", "little round top", "Big round top" its amazing to think that people would willing do that! Especially the open field. There is literally nothing for 400 - 500+ yards except open ground. To be told to walk across that ground while you could see the batteries of guns on the hill must have been like being told to pull out your bayonet and run yourself through.

if you've never read it check out "Killer Angles" I think thats the name of it. Amazing book about the battle of Gettysburg

[curverbowruss]

I was born and, raised in Gettysburg, Pa.> I also get to Sharpsburg Maryland alot. I still get chills as I round the bend in the road on Md. Rt. 34 on an early morning as the fog sits low on the ground at the statue of General Lee mounted on his horse. This man in my opinion was and, still is one of the most honorable men to EVER walk this earth--I guess I must admitt to idolize this man even though I am a yank-- the man was absolutely a great human being.