Calvin E. Johnson Jr.
Monday, Jan. 19, 2004

Why do Americans continue to remember their past?

Maybe because it was a simpler and slower time. 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 who today do their duty around the world for freedom.

With all the good things, there are things that do not make sense. We remember our past heroes, yet efforts are under way to change streets and schools named after such men as: George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.

Let America not forget Jan. 19, 2004, the 197th anniversary of the birthday of Gen. Robert E. Lee. From our nation's capital to Atlanta, Ga., to the West Coast, we still hold yearly tributes to Gen. Lee.

He was born at Stratford House, Westmoreland County, Va., on Jan. 19, 1807. The winter was cold and fireplaces were little help; Lee's Mother, Ann Hill (Carter) Lee had a severe cold.

Ann Lee named her son "Robert Edward" after two of her 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 signed the Declaration of Independence.

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

Robert E. Lee wed Mary Anna Randolph Custis 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 Custis, 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 E. Lee raised seven children.

Army promotions were slow. In 1836, Lee was appointed to first lieutenant. In 1838, with the rank of captain, Lee fought 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 Virginia.

War was in the air. The country was in the turmoil of separation. Lee wrestled with his very soul. He had served in the United States Army for over 30 years and believed that secession was the wrong answer to the country's problems, but he had a terrible decision to make.

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 President Jefferson Davis, 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, Gen. Robert E. Lee met Gen. Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox, Va., and ended their battles. Lee 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, but Northern folks also adopted him. His military tactics are studied worldwide.

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." His refusal came at a time when he had nothing. That $50,000 had the value of probably $1 million or more today!

In the fall of 1865, Lee was offered and accepted the presidency of troubled Washington College in Lexington, Va. The school was later renamed Washington and Lee College in his honor.

Robert E. Lee died of a heart attack at 9:30 a.m. on the morning of Oct. 12, 1870, at Washington 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 Custis in 1852: "Duty is the sublimest word in our language."

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

On Aug. 5, 1975, 110 years after Gen. Lee's application, President Gerald Ford signed Joint Resolution 23, restoring the long overdue full rights of citizenship to Gen. Robert E. Lee. (www.ford.utexas.edu/library/speeches/750473.htm)

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."

A native of Georgia, Calvin Johnson lives near the historic town of Kennesaw, home of the locomotive "The General" from the War Between the States. His email is: Dix414036@aol.com.

Bibliography:

"The Wit and Wisdom of Robert E. Lee," edited by Devereaux D. Cannon Jr. (1997) Pelican Publishing Company, Gretna, La.

"Mrs. Robert E. Lee," by Rose Mortimer Ellzey MacDonald (1939 First Edition) The Athenaum Press, Boston. (1998) American Foundation Publications, Stuart's Draft, Va.

"Robert E. Lee," by Philip Van Doren Stern (1963) Bonanza Books, New York.

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