48 chapters
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48 chapters
OF
OF
CONTENTS Chapter I — Services in the United States Army Chapter II — The Confederate General Chapter III — Letters to Wife and Daughters Chapter IV — Army Life of Robert the Younger Chapter V — The Army of Northern Virginia Chapter VI — The Winter of 1863-4 Chapter VII — Fronting the Army of the Potomac Chapter VIII — The Surrender Chapter IX — A Private Citizen Chapter X — President of Washington College Chapter XI — The Idol of the South Chapter XII — Lee’s Opinion upon the Late War Chapter XI
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Chapter II The Confederate General Resigns from Colonelcy of First
Chapter II The Confederate General Resigns from Colonelcy of First
United States Cavalry—Motives for this step—Chosen to command Virginia forces—Anxiety about his wife, family, and possessions—Chief advisor to President Davis—Battle of Manassas—Military operations in West Virginia—Letter to State Governor......................... 24...
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Chapter III Letters to Wife and Daughters From Camp on Sewell’s
Chapter III Letters to Wife and Daughters From Camp on Sewell’s
Mountain—Quotation from Colonel Taylor’s book—From Professor Wm. P. Trent—From Mr. Davis’s Memorial Address—Defense of Southern ports—Christmas, 1861—The General visits his father’s grave—Commands, under the President, all the armies of the Confederate States ................. 48...
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Chapter IV Army Life of Robert the Younger Volunteer in Rockbridge
Chapter IV Army Life of Robert the Younger Volunteer in Rockbridge
Artillery—“Four Years with General Lee” quoted—Meeting between father and son—Personal characteristics of the General—Death of his daughter Annie—His son Robert raised from the ranks—the horses, “Grace Darling” and “Traveller”—Fredricksburg—Freeing slaves .................. 69...
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Chapter V The Army of Northern Virginia The General’s sympathy for
Chapter V The Army of Northern Virginia The General’s sympathy for
his suffering soldiers—Chancellorsville—Death of “Stonewall” Jackson—General Fitzhugh Lee wounded and captured—Escape of his brother Robert—Gettysburg—Religious revival—Infantry review—Unsatisfactory commissariat........................... 91...
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Chapter VI The Winter of 1863-4 The Lee family in Richmond—The
Chapter VI The Winter of 1863-4 The Lee family in Richmond—The
General’s letters to them from Camps Rappahannock and Rapidan—Death of Mrs. Fitzhugh Lee—Preparations to meet General Grant—The Wilderness—Spottsylvania Court House—Death of General Stuart—General Lee’s illness ... 112...
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Chapter VII Fronting the Army of the Potomac Battle of Cold
Chapter VII Fronting the Army of the Potomac Battle of Cold
Harbour—Siege of Petersburg—The General intrusts a mission to his son Robert—Battle of the Crater—Grant crosses the James River—General Long’s pen-picture of Lee—Knitting socks for the soldiers—A Christmas dinner—Incidents of camp life... 128...
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Chapter VIII The Surrender Fort Fisher captured—Lee made
Chapter VIII The Surrender Fort Fisher captured—Lee made
Commander-in-Chief—Battle of Five Forks—The General’s farewell to his men—His reception in Richmond after the surrender—President Davis hears the news—Lee’s visitors—His son Robert turns farmer ........... 144...
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Chapter IX A Private Citizen Lee’s conception of the part—His influence
Chapter IX A Private Citizen Lee’s conception of the part—His influence
exerted toward the restoration of Virginia—He visits old friends throughout the country—Receives offers of positions—Compares notes with the Union General Hunter—Longs for a country home—Finds one at “Derwent,” near Cartersville................... 162...
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Chapter X President of Washington College Patriotic motives for
Chapter X President of Washington College Patriotic motives for
acceptance of trust—Condition of college—The General’s arrival at Lexington—He prepares for the removal of his family to that city—Advice to Robert Junior—Trip to “Bremo” on private canal-boat—Mrs. Lee’s invalidism........... 179...
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Chapter XI The Idol of the South Photographs and autographs in
Chapter XI The Idol of the South Photographs and autographs in
demand—The General’s interest in young people—His happy home life—Labours at Washington College—He gains financial aid for it—Worsley’s translation of Homer dedicated to him—Tributes from other English scholars...... 198...
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Chapter XII Lee’s Opinion upon the Late War His intention to write
Chapter XII Lee’s Opinion upon the Late War His intention to write
the history of his Virginia campaigns—Called before a committee of Congress—Preaches patience and silence in the South—Shuns controversy and publicity—Corresponds with an Englishman, Herbert C. Saunders ............. 218...
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Chapter XIII Family Affairs The General writes to his sons—To his wife
Chapter XIII Family Affairs The General writes to his sons—To his wife
at Rockbridge Baths—He joins her there about once a week—Distinguished and undistinguished callers at his Lexington home—He advocates early hours—His fondness for animals ................. 235...
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Chapter XIV An Ideal Father Letters to Mildred Lee—To Robert—To
Chapter XIV An Ideal Father Letters to Mildred Lee—To Robert—To
Fitzhugh—Interviewed by Swinton, historian of the Army of the Potomac—Improvement in grounds and buildings of Washington College—Punctuality a prominent trait of its President—A strong supporter of the Y.M.C.A.............................. 252...
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Chapter XV Mountain Rides An incident about “Traveller”—The General’s
Chapter XV Mountain Rides An incident about “Traveller”—The General’s
love for children—His friendship with Ex-President Davis—A ride with his daughter to the Peaks of Otter—Mildred Lee’s narrative—Mrs. Lee at the White Sulphur Springs—The great attention paid her husband there—His idea of life ..................... 264...
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Chapter XVI An Advisor of Young Men Lee’s policy as college
Chapter XVI An Advisor of Young Men Lee’s policy as college
president—His advice on agricultural matters—His affection for his prospective daughter-in-law—Fitzhugh’s wedding—The General’s ovation at Petersburg—his personal interest in the students under his care......... 280...
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Chapter XVII The Reconstruction Period The General believes in
Chapter XVII The Reconstruction Period The General believes in
the enforcement of law and order—His moral influence in the college—Playful humour shown in his letters—His opinion of negro labour—Mr. Davis’s trial—Letter to Mrs. Fitzhugh Lee—Intercourse with Faculty ........... 299...
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Chapter XVIII Mrs. R. E. Lee Goes to Warm Springs for rheumatism—Her
Chapter XVIII Mrs. R. E. Lee Goes to Warm Springs for rheumatism—Her
daughter Mildred takes typhoid there—Removes to Hot Springs—Her husband’s devotion—Visit of Fitzhugh and bride to Lexington—Miss Jones, a would-be benefactor of Washington College—Fate of Washington relics belonging to Mrs. Lee’s family.................. 318...
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Chapter XIX Lee’s Letters to His Sons The building of Robert’s
Chapter XIX Lee’s Letters to His Sons The building of Robert’s
house—The General as a railroad delegate—Lionised in Baltimore—Calls on President Grant—Visits Alexandria—Declines to be interviewed—Interested in his grandson—The Washington portraits................ 339...
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Chapter XX The New Home in Lexington Numerous guests—Further sojourns
Chapter XX The New Home in Lexington Numerous guests—Further sojourns
at different Baths—Death of the General’s brother, Smith Lee—Visits to “Ravensworth” and “The White House”—Meetings with interesting people at White Sulphur Springs—Death of Professor Preston ............... 357...
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Chapter XXI Failing Health The General declines lucrative positions
Chapter XXI Failing Health The General declines lucrative positions
in New York and Atlanta—He suffers from an obstinate cold—Local gossip—He is advised to go South in the spring of 1870—Desires to visit his daughter Annie’s grave .......................... 376...
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Chapter XXII The Southern Trip Letters to Mrs. Lee from Richmond and
Chapter XXII The Southern Trip Letters to Mrs. Lee from Richmond and
Savannah—From Brandon—Agnes Lee’s account of her father’s greetings from old friends and old soldiers—Wilmington and Norfolk do him honour—Visits to Fitzhugh and Robert in their homes................ 388...
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Chapter XXIII A Round of Visits Baltimore—Alexandria—A war-talk with
Chapter XXIII A Round of Visits Baltimore—Alexandria—A war-talk with
Cousin Cassius Lee—“Ravensworth”—Letter to Doctor Buckler declining invitation to Europe—To General Cooper—To Mrs. Lee from the Hot Springs—Tired of public places—Preference for country life .......... 412...
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Chapter XXIV Last Days Letter to his wife—To Mr. Tagart—Obituary
Chapter XXIV Last Days Letter to his wife—To Mr. Tagart—Obituary
notice in “Personal Reminiscences of General Robert E. Lee”—Mrs. Lee’s account of his death .............................. 431...
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Chapter I — Services in the United States Army
Chapter I — Services in the United States Army
Captain Lee, of the Engineers, a hero to his child—The family pets—Home from the Mexican War—Three years in Baltimore—Superintendent of the West Point Military Academy—Lieutenant-Colonel of Second Cavalry—Supresses “John Brown Raid” at Harper’s Ferry—Commands the Department of Taxes The first vivid recollection I have of my father is his arrival at Arlington, after his return from the Mexican War. I can remember some events of which he seemed a part, when we lived at Fort Hamilton, New York, abo
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Chapter II — The Confederate General
Chapter II — The Confederate General
Resigns from Colonelcy of First United States Cavalry—Motives for this step—Chosen to command Virginia forces—Anxiety about his wife, family, and possessions—Chief advisor to President Davis—Battle of Manassas—Military operations in West Virginia—Letter to State Governor In February, 1861, after the secession of Texas, my father was ordered to report to General Scott, the Commander-in-Chief of the United States Army. He immediately relinquished the command of his regiment, and departed from Fort
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Chapter III — Letters to Wife and Daughters
Chapter III — Letters to Wife and Daughters
From Camp on Sewell’s Mountain—Quotation from Colonel Taylor’s book—From Professor Wm. P. Trent—From Mr. Davis’s Memorial Address—Defense of Southern ports—Christmas, 1861—The General visits his father’s grave—Commands, under the President, all the armies of the Confederate States The season being too far advanced to attempt any further movements away from our base of supplies, and the same reasons preventing any advance of the Federal forces, the campaign in this part of Virginia ended for the
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Chapter IV — Army Life of Robert the Younger
Chapter IV — Army Life of Robert the Younger
Volunteer in Rockbridge Artillery—“Four Years with General Lee” quoted—Meeting between father and son—Personal characteristics of the General—Death of his daughter Annie—His son Robert raised from the ranks—the horses, “Grace Darling” and “Traveller”—Fredricksburg—Freeing slaves Like all the students at the university, I was wild to go into the army, and wrote my father that I was afraid the war would be over before I had a chance to serve. His reply was that I need have no fear of that continge
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Chapter V — The Army of Northern Virginia
Chapter V — The Army of Northern Virginia
The General’s sympathy for his suffering soldiers—Chancellorsville—Death of “Stonewall” Jackson—General Fitzhugh Lee wounded and captured—Escape of his brother Robert—Gettysburg—Religious revival—Infantry review—Unsatisfactory commissariat During this winter, which was a very severe one, the sufferings of General Lee’s soldiers on account of insufficient shelter and clothing, the scant rations for man and beast, the increasing destitution throughout the country, and his inability to better these
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Chapter VI — The Winter of 1863-4
Chapter VI — The Winter of 1863-4
The Lee family in Richmond—The General’s letters to them from Camps Rappahannock and Rapidan—Death of Mrs. Fitzhugh Lee—Preparations to meet General Grant—The Wilderness—Spottsylvania Court House—Death of General Stuart—General Lee’s illness My mother had quite recently rented a house on Clay Street in Richmond which, though small, gave her a roof of her own, and it also enabled her at times to entertain some of her many friends. Of this new home, and of a visit of a soldier’s wife to him, the G
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Chapter VII — Fronting the Army of the Potomac
Chapter VII — Fronting the Army of the Potomac
Battle of Cold Harbour—Siege of Petersburg—The General intrusts a mission to his son Robert—Battle of the Crater—Grant crosses the James River—General Long’s pen-picture of Lee—Knitting socks for the soldiers—A Christmas dinner—Incidents of camp life From the North Anna River the Federal Army moved by its left flank, seeking to find its adversary unprepared, but the Army of Northern Virginia steadily confronted it, ever ready to receive any attack. At Cold Harbour they paused, facing each other,
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Chapter VIII — The Surrender
Chapter VIII — The Surrender
Fort Fisher captured—Lee made Commander-in-Chief—Battle of Five Forks—The General’s farewell to his men—His reception in Richmond after the surrender—President Davis hears the news—Lee’s visitors—His son Robert turns farmer The year 1865 had now commenced. The strength of that thin gray line, drawn out to less than one thousand men to the mile, which had repulsed every attempt of the enemy to break through it, was daily becoming less. The capture of Fort Fisher, our last open port, January 15th,
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Chapter IX — A Private Citizen
Chapter IX — A Private Citizen
Lee’s conception of the part—His influence exerted toward the restoration of Virginia—He visits old friends throughout the country—Receives offers of positions—Compares notes with the Union General Hunter—Longs for a country home—Finds one at “Derwent,” near Cartersville My father remained quietly in Richmond with my mother and sisters. He was now a private citizen for the first time in his life. As he had always been a good soldier, so now he became a good citizen. My father’s advice to all his
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Chapter X — President of Washington College
Chapter X — President of Washington College
Patriotic motives for acceptance of trust—Condition of college—The General’s arrival at Lexington—He prepares for the removal of his family to that city—Advice to Robert Junior—Trip to “Bremo” on private canal-boat—Mrs. Lee’s invalidism About this time my father received from the Board of Trustees of Washington College a notification of his election to the presidency of that institution, at a meeting of the board held in Lexington, Virginia, on August 4, 1865. The letter apprising him of the act
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Chapter XI — The Idol of the South
Chapter XI — The Idol of the South
Photographs and autographs in demand—The General’s interest in young people—His happy home life—Labours at Washington College—He gains financial aid for it—Worsley’s translation of Homer dedicated to him—Tributes from other English scholars The people of Virginia and of the entire South were continually giving evidence of their intense love for General Lee. From all nations, even from the Northern States, came to him marks of admiration and respect. Just at this time he received many application
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Chapter XII — Lee’s Opinion upon the Late War
Chapter XII — Lee’s Opinion upon the Late War
His intention to write the history of his Virginia campaigns—Called before a committee of Congress—Preaches patience and silence in the South—Shuns controversy and publicity—Corresponds with an Englishman, Herbert C. Saunders My father had a strong desire at this time to write a history of his campaigns. I think, however, he gradually gave it up when he saw the great difficulties to be overcome and the labour required to produce anything worthy of the subject, especially as he began to realise t
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Chapter XIII — Family Affairs
Chapter XIII — Family Affairs
The General writes to his sons—To his wife at Rockbridge Baths—He joins her there about once a week—Distinguished and undistinguished callers at his Lexington home—He advocates early hours—His fondness for animals I had before this time gone to my farm in King William County and started out in life as a farmer. As there was nothing but the land and a few old buildings left, for several years I had a very up-hill time. My father encouraged, advised me, and gave me material aid. His letters to me
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Chapter XIV — An Ideal Father
Chapter XIV — An Ideal Father
Letters to Mildred Lee—To Robert—To Fitzhugh—Interviewed by Swinton, historian of the Army of the Potomac—Improvement in grounds and buildings of Washington College—Punctuality a prominent trait of its President—A strong supporter of the Y.M.C.A. My sister, after the Christmas holidays, went from “Ashby” to Baltimore, Cousins George and Eleanor Goldsborough taking her with them to their town house. I think my father always wanted his daughters with him. When they were away he missed them, their
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Chapter XV — Mountain Rides
Chapter XV — Mountain Rides
An incident about “Traveller”—The General’s love for children—His friendship with Ex-President Davis—A ride with his daughter to the Peaks of Otter—Mildred Lee’s narrative—Mrs. Lee at the White Sulphur Springs—The great attention paid her husband there—His idea of life Since the arrival of “Lucy Long” my father was generally accompanied by one of my sisters in his rides, whenever the weather and the condition of the roads admitted of their going. It took very severe weather to keep him in, thoug
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Chapter XVI — An Advisor of Young Men
Chapter XVI — An Advisor of Young Men
Lee’s policy as college president—His advice on agricultural matters—His affection for his prospective daughter-in-law—Fitzhugh’s wedding—The General’s ovation at Petersburg—his personal interest in the students under his care The college exercises were resumed in the last weeks of September. My mother and sisters were all back at home. The President’s work, now more in hand, began to show results. The number of students this session was largely increased and the outlook of the college was very
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Chapter XVII — The Reconstruction Period
Chapter XVII — The Reconstruction Period
The General believes in the enforcement of law and order—His moral influence in the college—Playful humour shown in his letters—His opinion of negro labour—Mr. Davis’s trial—Letter to Mrs. Fitzhugh Lee—Intercourse with Faculty Virginia was at this time still under military rule. The “reconstruction” days were not over. My father had himself accepted the political situation after the war, and had advised every one who had sought his advice to do the same. The following incident and letters will s
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Chapter XVIII — Mrs. R. E. Lee
Chapter XVIII — Mrs. R. E. Lee
Goes to Warm Springs for rheumatism—Her daughter Mildred takes typhoid there—Removes to Hot Springs—Her husband’s devotion—Visit of Fitzhugh and bride to Lexington—Miss Jones, a would-be benefactor of Washington College—Fate of Washington relics belonging to Mrs. Lee’s family That summer my father determined to take my mother to the Warm Springs, in Bath County, Virginia, hoping that the baths there might be of service to her, and purposing, if she was not benefited, to go to the Hot Springs, fi
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Chapter XIX — Lee’s Letters to His Sons
Chapter XIX — Lee’s Letters to His Sons
The building of Robert’s house—The General as a railroad delegate—Lionised in Baltimore—Calls on President Grant—Visits Alexandria—Declines to be interviewed—Interested in his grandson—The Washington portraits My father, being very anxious that I should build a good house on my farm, had agreed to supply the necessary means, and was interested in my plans and estimates. In a letter of February 18th, after a long and full explanation of the arrangements for the purchase of Smith’s Island by Fitzh
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Chapter XX — The New Home in Lexington
Chapter XX — The New Home in Lexington
Numerous guests—Further sojourns at different Baths—Death of the General’s brother, Smith Lee—Visits to “Ravensworth” and “The White House”—Meetings with interesting people at White Sulphur Springs—Death of Professor Preston On my father’s return to Lexington the new house was ready. It adjoined the one he had been occupying, so the distance was not great and the transfer was easily accomplished. It was much larger and more comfortable than the one given up. My mother’s room was on the first flo
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Chapter XXI — Failing Health
Chapter XXI — Failing Health
The General declines lucrative positions in New York and Atlanta—He suffers from an obstinate cold—Local gossip—He is advised to go South in the spring of 1870—Desires to visit his daughter Annie’s grave After General Lee had accepted the presidency of Washington College, he determined to devote himself entirely to the interest and improvement of that institution. From this resolution he never wavered. An offer that he should be a the head of a large house to represent southern commerce, that he
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Chapter XXII — The Southern Trip
Chapter XXII — The Southern Trip
Letters to Mrs. Lee from Richmond and Savannah—From Brandon—Agnes Lee’s account of her father’s greetings from old friends and old soldiers—Wilmington and Norfolk do him honour—Visits to Fitzhugh and Robert in their homes It is to be regretted that so little was written by my father while on this trip. In the letters extant he scarcely refers to his reception by the people at different points visited. His daughter Agnes tells more, and we can imagine how tenderly and joyfully he was greeted by h
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Chapter XXIII — A Round of Visits
Chapter XXIII — A Round of Visits
Baltimore—Alexandria—A war-talk with Cousin Cassius Lee—“Ravensworth”—Letter to Doctor Buckler declining invitation to Europe—To General Cooper—To Mrs. Lee from the Hot Springs—Tired of public places—Preference for country life Judged by what he says of himself, my father’s trip South did him no permanent good. The rest and change, the meeting with many old friends, the great love and kindness shown him by all, gave him much pleasure, and for a time it was thought he was better; but the main cau
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Chapter XXIV — Last Days
Chapter XXIV — Last Days
Letter to his wife—To Mr. Tagart—Obituary notice in “Personal Reminiscences of General Robert E. Lee”—Mrs. Lee’s account of his death The following is the last letter that I can find written by my father to my mother. He was back in Lexington early in September, and was never separated from her again while he lived: “Hot Springs, August 27, 1870. “My Dear Mary: I have received your letter of the 22d. I should remain here a week longer if time permitted, as I have felt in the last few days better
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