Recollections and Letters of General Robert E. Lee. Robert E. Lee
Chapter XXIII — A Round of Visits
DETAILED 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 … … … . … . 3
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Chapter XIII Family Affairs The General writes to his sons—To his wife