Robert Edward Lee, 1807 - 1870
Photo by Julian Vannerson (1863)
Born: 19 January 1807, Stratford Hall, Virginia
Died: 13 October 1870, Lexington, Virginia
Lee was the son of Revolutionary War hero Henry "Lighthorse Harry" Lee. He graduated second in his class from West Point in 1829, the only cadet ever to graduate without a single demerit, and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the engineers. He supervised harbor construction, surveyed boundaries, built fortifications, and in the Mexican War found ways to move troops over "impassible" terrain. He was superintendent of West Point for three years, protected settlers on the Texas frontier from Indian raids, and when he was, by chance, at Washington City he was sent to arrest John Brown at Harper's Ferry. When Lincoln offered him command of the Union Army, Lee resigned rather than lead troops against his home state of Virginia. As a general in the Confederate Army, it was his leadership that allowed the outgunned and outmanned southrons to fare as well as they did. His courage, honor, and character made him respected even in the north, although his citizenship was not restored until 1975.
Biography from Wikipedia and National Park Service
Robert E. Lee quotes:
Quotes found : 28 — (15 per page, this is page 1 of 2) 1 2 Next
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- A true man of honor feels humbled himself when he cannot help humbling others. permalink
Robert Edward Lee - Abandon your animosities and make your sons Americans. permalink
Robert Edward Lee - Duty then is the sublimest word in the English language. You should do your duty in all things. You can never do more, you should never wish to do less. permalink
Robert Edward Lee - Get correct views of life, and learn to see the world in its true light. It will enable you to live pleasantly, to do good, and, when summoned away, to leave without regret. permalink
Robert Edward Lee - I cannot trust a man to control others who cannot control himself. permalink
Robert Edward Lee - I did only what my duty demanded. I could have taken no other course without dishonor. And if all were to be done over again, I should act in precisely the same manner. permalink
Robert Edward Lee - I have been up to see the Congress and they do not seem to be able to do anything except to eat peanuts and chew tobacco, while my army is starving. permalink
Robert Edward Lee - I like whiskey. I always did, and that is why I never drink it. permalink
Robert Edward Lee - I think it better to do right, even if we suffer in so doing, than to incur the reproach of our consciences and posterity. permalink
Robert Edward Lee - I tremble for my country when I hear of confidence expressed in me. I know too well my weakness, that our only hope is in God. permalink
Robert Edward Lee - I would have never surrendered the army if I had known how the South would have been treated. permalink
Robert Edward Lee - If I had foreseen the use those people designed to make of their victory, there would have been no surrender at Appomattox Courthouse; no sir, not by me. Had I foreseen these results of subjugation, I would have preferred to die at Appomattox with my brave men, my sword in my right hand. permalink
Robert Edward Lee - It is history that teaches us to hope. permalink
Robert Edward Lee - It is well that war is so terrible, or we should grow too fond of it. permalink
Robert Edward Lee - My experience through life has convinced me that, while moderation and temperance in all things are commendable, abstinence from spiritous liquors is the best safeguard of morals and health. permalink
Robert Edward Lee
Quotes found : 28 — (15 per page, this is page 1 of 2) 1 2 Next
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