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Archiver > NCDUPLIN > 2007-01 > 1168893383


From: "William Ball" <>
Subject: Re: [NCDUPLIN] America Remember's Robert E. Lee
Date: Mon, 15 Jan 2007 15:36:23 -0500
References: <45A9ABAB.000188.02444@MIKEY>


Nice tribute to Robert E. Lee.
I believe his wife was Mary CUSTIS Lee
instead of Mary CURTIS Lee.
Bill
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike & Diane" <>
To: <>; <>;
<>; <>
Sent: Saturday, January 13, 2007 11:03 PM
Subject: [NCDUPLIN] America Remember's Robert E. Lee


For all you Civil War buffs..I thought this was worth passing on to the
lists!

Diane
Registrar, Military Awards
UDC Bonnie Blue Chapter
Mobile, Alabama


America Remember's Robert E. Lee

By: Calvin E. Johnson, Jr.

All the South has ever desired was that the Union, as established by
Our Forefathers, should be preserved, and that the government, as
Originally organized, should be administered in purity and truth.
--- Robert E. Lee

Why do Americans continue to remember their past?

Maybe, because, it was a time when truth was spoken. Men and women
Took their stand to give us the freedoms we now enjoy. God bless
Those, in military service, who do their duty around the world for
Freedom.

The Hall of Fame for great Americans opened in 1900, in New York
City. One thousand names were submitted in 1900, but only 29
Received a majority vote from the electors. General Robert E. Lee ,
30 years after his death, was among those honored. A bust of Lee was
Given to New York University by the United Daughters of the
Confederacy.

Let America not forget January 19, 2007, the 200th birthday of
General Robert E. Lee.

Robert E. Lee was born at Stratford House, Westmoreland County,
Virginia, on January 19, 1807. The winter was cold and fireplaces
Were little help. Robert's mother, Ann Hill (Carter) Lee, was also
Suffering from a severe cold.

Ann Lee named her son "Robert Edward" after her two brothers.

Robert E. Lee undoubtedly acquired his love of country from those
Who had lived during the American Revolution. His father, "Light
Horse" Harry, was a hero of the revolution and served as Governor of
Virginia and as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Members of his family also signed the Declaration of Independence.

Lee was educated in the schools of Alexandria, Virginia. In 1825, he
Received an appointment to West Point Military Academy. He graduated
In 1829, second in his class and without a single demerit.

Robert E. Lee wed Mary Anna Randolph Curtis in June 1831, two years
After his graduation from West Point. Robert and Mary had grown up
Together. Mary was the daughter of George Washington Parke Curtis,
The grandson of Martha Washington and the adopted son of George
Washington.

Mary was an only child; therefore, she inherited Arlington House,
Across the Potomac from Washington, where she and Robert raised
Seven children.

Army promotions were slow. In 1836, Lee was appointed to first
Lieutenant. In 1838, with the rank of captain, Lee fought valiantly
In the War with Mexico and was wounded at the Battle of Chapultepec.

He was appointed superintendent of West Point in 1852 and is
Considered one of the best superintendents in that institution's
History.

President-to-be Abraham Lincoln offered command of the Union Army to
Lee in 1861, but Lee refused. He would not raise arms against his
Native state.

War was in the air. The country was in turmoil of separation. Lee
Wrestled with his very soul. He had served in the United States Army
For over 30 years.

After an all-night battle, much of that time on his knees in prayer,
Robert Edward Lee reached his decision. He reluctantly resigned his
Commission and headed home to Virginia.

Arlington House would be occupied by the Federals, who would turn
The estate into a war cemetery. Today it is one of our country's
Most cherished memorials - Arlington National Cemetery.

President John F. Kennedy went to Arlington shortly before he was
Assassinated in 1963 and said he wanted to be buried there. And he
Is, in front of Robert E. Lee's home.

Lee served as adviser to Confederate President Jefferson Davis, and
Then commanded the legendary Army of Northern Virginia. The exploits
Of Lee's army fill thousands of books today.

After four terrible years of death and destruction, General Robert
E. Lee met General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox, Virginia, and
Ended their battles. He told his disheartened comrades, "Go home and
Be good Americans."

Lee was called Marse Robert, Uncle Robert and Marble Man. He was
Loved by the people of the South, and adopted by the folks from the
North.

Robert E. Lee was a man of honor, proud of his name and heritage.
After the War Between the States, he was offered $50,000 for the use
Of his name. His reply was: "Sirs, my name is the heritage of my
Parents. It is all I have and it is not for sale."

In the fall of 1865, Lee was offered and accepted the presidency of
Troubled Washington College in Lexington, Virginia. The school was
Renamed Washington and Lee in his honor.

Robert E. Lee died of a heart attack at 9:30 on the morning of
October 12, 1870, at Washington-Lee College. His last words
were "Strike the tent." He was 63 years of age.

He is buried in a chapel on the school grounds with his family and
near his favorite horse, Traveller.

A prolific letter writer, Lee wrote his most famous quote to son
Curtis in 1852: "Duty is the sublimest word in our language."

On this 200th anniversary let us ponder the words he wrote to
Annette Carter in 1868: "I grieve for posterity, for American
principles and American liberty."

Winston Churchill called Lee "one of the noblest Americans who ever
lived." Lee's life was one of service and self-sacrifice. His motto
was "Duty, Honor, Country."

God Bless America!


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