RECOLLECTIONS AND LETTERS OF GENERAL ROBERT E. LEE
GENERAL ROBERT E. LEE
Photographed in 1869—his last sitting
RECOLLECTIONS AND LETTERS
OF
GENERAL ROBERT E. LEE
BY HIS SON
CAPTAIN ROBERT E. LEE
With Photogravure Portraits
New York
Doubleday, Page & Company
1904
Copyright, 1904, by
Doubleday, Page & Company
Published, October, 1904
TO MY DAUGHTERS
ANNE CARTER
AND
MARY CUSTIS
CONTENTS
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
CHAPTER XIII
FAMILY AFFAIRS
The General writes to his sons—To his wife at Rockbridge Baths—He joins her there about once a week—Distinguised and undistinguished callers at his Lexington home—He advocates early hours—His fondness for animals.
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.
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.
CHAPTER XVI
AN ADVISER 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
GENERAL ROBERT E. LEE
Photographed in 1869—his last sitting FrontispieceROBERT E. LEE
Photographed in 1850 or 1851, when he was Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel of EngineersGENERAL ROBERT E. LEE
Photographed in 1862 or 1863VALENTINE'S RECUMBENT FIGURE OF LEE
Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Va.
Recollections and Letters of General Robert E. Lee Robert E. Lee, Jr.
[Notes]
[1] My brother's place on the Pamunkey River, where the mare had been sent for save keeping.
[2] His pet name for my mother.
[3] His third daughter.
[4] His son, Custis.
[5] His appointment of Superintendent of the Military Academy carried with it the temporary rank of Colonel of Engineers.
[6] General William B. Taliaferro, commanding Virginia troops at Harper's Ferry.
[7] Sydney Smith Lee, of the United States Navy, his brother.
[8] The Episcopal Convention of the Diocese of Virginia.
[9] Bishop Meade, of Virginia.
[10] His Brother, S. S. Lee, C.S.N.
[11] A cousin of Mrs. Fitzhugh.
[12] Miss Martha Custis Williams—second cousin of my mother, afterward Mrs. Admiral Carter, U.S.N.
[13] Major W. H. F. Lee—General Lee's second son.
[14] John Augustin Washington, great-nephew of General Washington, and Mt. Vernon's last owner bearing that name.
[15] Pet names for his two daughters, Mary and Mildred.
[16] Mr. Edward Carter Turner, of Kinloch, my father's cousin.
[17] "Avenel," The house of the Berbeleys, in Fauquier County.
[18] Eldest daughter of John Augustin Washington.
[19] His servant—had been in the dining-room at Arlington.
[20] His horse.
[21] A son of Mr. Edward Turner, of "Kinloch."
[22] His cook—a servant from the White House.
[23] Doctor and Mrs. Richard Stuart.
[24] The home of the Fitzhughs, where my grandmother Custis was born.
[25] His two coloured servants.
[26] On account of the Trent affair.
[27] His first grandchild—son of my brother Fitzhugh. He died in 1863.
[28] "Four Years with General Lee."
[29] His nephew.
[30] His daughter Mary, in King George County, within the lines of the enemy.
[31] "Fighting Joe" was Hooker's most popular sobriquet in the Federal army.
[32] J. E. B. Stuart, commanding cavalry corps.
[33] Two sons and three nephews.
[34] His son, Major General Fitzhugh Lee.
[35] His daughters.
[36] General "Fitz" Lee, and his two brothers, Major John Mason Lee and Captain Henry Carter Lee.
[37] Mr. Charles Carter Lee, the General's brother; Mr. William Carter, the General's uncle.
[38] His second daughter.
[39] Longstreet.
[40] A. P. Hill.
[41] An invalid lady, in the yard of whose country place ("Violet Bank") Lee's tents were pitched.
[42] His pet name for my sister Mildred.
[43] His mess-steward.
[44] Junction of Southside and Danville Railroad.
[45] His old A.A.G.
[46] The "War Governor" of Virginia.
[47] A grandson of Chief Justice Marshall, and Lee's military secretary.
[48] Mrs. Cocke's second son, who lived with his mother at Oakley.
[49] The italics are Dr. Jones's.
[50] Mrs. Cocke's eldest son.
[51] Professor E. S. Joynes.
[52] Mrs. Chapman Leigh and Miss Belle Harrison, of Brandon, both very dear friends and cousins of my father.
[53] Mrs. Leigh's.
[54] The father of Professor (or "Captain") White.
[55] Our old pastor of Christ's Church, Alexandria, the trusted friend of my grandmother and mother, who had baptised all the children at Arlington.
[56] The Virginia Military Institute, a State institution, modelled after the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, was located in Lexington, and its grounds adjoined those of Washington College. Since its foundation in 1839, unto this time, General F. H. Smith had been its superintendent.
[57] The "Brit" mentioned here is Mrs. Britannia Kennon, of "Tudor Place," my mother's first cousin. She had saved for us a great many of the household goods from Arlington, having gotten permission from the Federal authorities to do so, at the time it was occupied by their forces.
[58] Arlington, to that beloved home my mother still hoped to return.
[59] These were the names of some of my sister's pet chickens.
[60] Commander of the canal packet.
[61] My father was not aware, when he wrote such explicit directions about the route, that Colonel Ellis had again put his boat at my mother's service.
[62] My brother had recently visited Lexington.
[63] The cook.
[64] The cook.
[65] The maid.
[66] William Preston Johnston, the son of General Albert Sidney Johnston, who fell at Shiloh. He had recently been elected to the chair of History and Literature at Washington College.
[67] Daughter of General W. N. Pendleton, Chief of Artillery of the A.N.Va., and widow of Colonel Edwin Grey Lee, C.S.A.
[68] Daughters of Governor John Letcher—the War Governor of Virginia.
[69] I had written to him that they had destroyed all my hens.
[70] Professor Joynes in University Monthly.
[71] Her husband.
[72] My mother's maid.
[73] The grandson of Nellie Custis, my grandfather's sister, who married Lawrence Lewis, the favourite nephew of Washington.
[74] These relics were restored to the family in 1903 by the order of President McKinley.
[75] General John C. Breckenridge, of Kentucky, ex-secretary of War of the Confederate States, had two sons at Washington College at this time. One of them was since United States Minister at the Court of St. Petersburg.
[76] Mrs. S. S. Lee.
[77] Rockbridge Baths.
[78] General Lee's eldest daughter.
[79] His daughter-in-law, Mrs. W. H. F. Lee.
[80] Mrs. Richard Stuart, of "Cedar Grove."
[81] "Yearling" was a term that originated with us just after the war (when many of the students were ex-soldiers), to distinguish the real boys from the "Confeds." From that expression, a professor came to be called a "leader of the herd." It was a form of speech that we had kept up amongst ourselves.
[82] A Virginian—son of General St. George Cooke, of the Federal Army, who commanded a North Carolina brigade in A. P. Hill's corps, A.N.Va.
[83] "Mrs. Smith" and "Gus" were the names of two of the pet cats of my sister. "Gus" was short for Gustavus Adolphus.
[84] Miss Mary Stewart, of "Brook Hill," afterward Mrs. Thomas Pinckney, of South Carolina.
[85] Corinne Lawton.
[86] This was the money that came to General Lee from his new edition of his father's "Memoirs of the War in the Southern Department of the United States."
[87] Attorney General in Mr. Davis's cabinet.
[88] "Aunt M—" was Mrs. Fitzhugh of "Ravensworth," and "Burke," her manager; Cassius Lee, my father's cousin; General S. S. Cooper, Adj. General of the C.S. armies; Mr. J. M. Mason, Senator in U.S. and C.S. Congress; the Bishop, Bishop Johns of Virginia, all at that time living on the "Hill"—or Seminary Hill—about two miles from Alexandria.
[89] [Mr. Francis L. Smith was my father's lawyer. The matter referred to which caused the remark, "The prospect is not promising," was the chance of getting back the estate of Arlington from the U.S. Government. Mr. Smith and Mr. Cassius Lee were my father's advisers in this matter. "Nannie" was the widow of Captain S.S. Lee, my father's brother.
[90] A well-known girls' school at Staunton.
[91] The manager of the hotel.
[92] William Washington, a well known painter of that day, who was for a short time professor of painting and drawing at the Virginia Military Institute at Lexington.
[93] Miss Charlotte Haxall, afterward Mrs. Robert E. Lee, Jr., who died in 1872.
[94] Charles Carter, of "Goodwood," Maryland, was my father's first cousin. Mildred and Ella, two of his daughters.
[95] Mrs. Peter was a near cousin of my mother, and with her as a little girl our associations had been very near.
[96] Professors Wm. Allan and William Preston Johnston of Washington College. The former afterward principal of the McDonough School, near Baltimore, Maryland; the latter president of Tulane University, New Orleans.
[97] Mildred's kitten.
[98] Colonel Edwin Grey Lee was a near cousin. He had distinguished himself in the late war. At its commencement he had volunteered, and was made a 2d lieutenant in the Second Virginia regiment, "Stonewall Brigade." From that rank he quickly rose to be lieutenant colonel of the 33d Virginia, in the same brigade. In 1862 his health, which was very feeble, compelled him to resign, but after a short time he again entered the service, though he never became strong enough to serve actively in the field. General lee's opinion of his abilities was very high.
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