Last Farewell to Robert E. Lee

Canda Free Press ^ | October 11, 2013 | Calvin E. Johnson, Jr.

[BigReb555]

His last great deed came after the War Between the States when he accepted the presidency of Washington College, now Washington and Lee University

[BigReb555]

The United States flag flew at half-mast when Robert E. Lee died!

Lee Chapel at Washington and Lee University is the site of annual programs paying tribute to Robert Edward Lee. On Monday, October 14, 2013 a program commemorating the Washington College presidency of Robert E. Lee on the 143rd anniversary of his death will feature War Between the States historian, Frank O’Reilly. The lecture entitled "Adapt, Improvise, and Overcome: Robert E. Lee's Greatest Victory at Chancellorsville" will begin at 12:15 p.m. Read more at: http://www2.wlu.edu/x56830.xml

The New York Times reported:

(Intelligence was received last evening of the death at Lexington, Va., of Gen. Robert E. Lee, the most famous of the officers whose celebrity was gained in the service of the Southern Confederacy during the late terrible rebellion.)---New York Times, October 13, 1870.

Read more at: http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/bday/0119.html

October 12th is the 143rd anniversary of the passing of Robert E. Lee whose memory is still dear in the hearts of many people around the world.

General Lee died at his home at Lexington, Virginia at 9:30 AM on October 12, 1870. His last great deed came after the War Between the States when he accepted the presidency of Washington College, now Washington and Lee University. He saved the financially troubled college and helped many young people further their education.

Some write that Robert E. Lee suffered a cerebral hemorrhage on September 28, 1870, but was thought to greatly improve until October 12th, when he took a turn for the worse. His condition seemed more hopeless when his doctor told him, "General you must make haste and get well---Traveller---has been standing too long in his stable and needs exercise."

It’s written that the rains and flooding were the worse of Virginia's history on the day General Lee died. On Wednesday, October 12, 1870, in the presence of his family, Lee quietly passed away.

The church bells rang as the sad news passed throughout Washington College, Virginia Military Institute, the town of Lexington and the nation. Cadets from VMI College carried the remains of the old soldier to Lee Chapel where he laid in state. Many buildings and homes were covered in black crepe for mourning.

Memorial meetings were held throughout the South and as far North as New York. At Washington College in Lexington eulogies were delivered by: Reverend Pemberton, Reverend W.S. White--Stonewall Jackson’s Pastor and Reverend J. William Jones. Former Confederate President Jefferson Davis brought the eulogy in Richmond, Virginia. Lee was also eulogized in Great Britain.

Virginia Military Institute (VMI) Cadet William Nalle said in a letter home to his mother, dated October 16, 1870;

“I suppose of course that you have all read full accounts of Gen Lee’s death in the papers. He died on the morning of the 12th at about half past nine. All business was suspended at once all over the country and town, and all duties, military and academic suspended at the Institute, and all the black crape and all similar black material in Lexington, was used up at once, and they had to send on to Lynchburg for more. Every cadet had black crape issued to him, and an order was published at once requiring us to wear it as a badge of mourning for six months.” Read more at:

http://www.vmi.edu/archives.aspx?id=5517

Robert E. Lee’s last words were, "Strike the Tent." The Georgia Division Sons of Confederate Veterans joins the nation in commemorating the Sesquicentennial--150th Anniversary of the War Between the States now through 2015. See additional information at:

http://www.150wbts.org/

[DeoVindiceSicSemperTyrannis]

[Repeal The 17th]

[Jacquerie]

Excellent post.

[DeoVindiceSicSemperTyrannis]

[Former Fetus]

[bert]

I recently visited Traveler’s grave.

[CaptainAmiigaf]

I respectfully disagree with Gen. Lee’s cause, but such a LEADER, of equal courage, ethics, morality and leadership qualities is sore needed in today’s United States.
In fact, many of the names from that tragic era would be a wonderful group of men in these times.

[Da Coyote]

“I respectfully disagree with Gen. Lee’s cause, but such a LEADER, of equal courage, ethics, morality and leadership qualities is sore needed in today’s United States.”

Ironic, isn’t it, that the best general of the south had far, far more morality, integrity, leadership ability, and intelligence than does our first African American president.

Nope, it’s not a comment on the race...it’s a comment on the fact that we threw away our standards in a PC attempt to elect a complete loser.

[Repeal The 17th]

The Confederate Memorial Carving of three Confederate leaders of the Civil War on Stone Mountain
is the largest bas-relief sculpture in the world.
It is 400 feet above the ground, covers 3 acres, and is recessed 42 feet into the mountain.

The carving depicts President Jefferson Davis (riding on “Blackjack”),
General Robert E. Lee (riding on “Traveler”)
and General Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson (riding on “Little Sorrel”).

[MichaelCorleone]

Thank you for this post.

One man who deserved the immense love and respect he got from his solders, and even from the North.

May he rest in peace and his legend live on.

[ErnBatavia]

I loved spending July 4 at Stone Mountain many years ago.....helluva great day and evening.

[panzerkamphwageneinz]

How can anyone on this site disagree with Lee’s cause after time has proven it was just. When Stonewall died, so did freedom in this country.

Did you know in 1833 there was a Christian ministry that was as big as the entire Federal Government?

Did you know that you can’t ratify a constitution unless you are yourself, a free and independent entity? and who here would sign up for Obamacare then then told they could never leave?

So many Americans have cognitive dissonance regarding the secession of the states. It is sad really, because this site is the result of the South’s loss in that conflict.

it’s only going to get much much worse.

[MuttTheHoople]

Let's not get all starry-eyed about the Confederacy. Their constitution banned any State from repealing slavery, and its Home Guard rivaled the SS in brutality.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confederate_Home_Guard

[Bender2]

Three quotes of Great Cousin Bobby always come to mine:

"Duty is the most sublime word in our language. Do your duty in all things. You cannot... do more. You should never wish to do less."

"I think it better to do right, even if we suffer in so doing... than to incur the reproach of our consciences and posterity."

"I cannot trust a man to control others who cannot... control himself."

And here we are told that Great Cousin Bobby... didn't know Obama--

[Repeal The 17th]

you got good genes

[don-o]

Is that really necessary?

[Bender2]

Re: you got good genes

Thanks, 17th, yet I... must say I think her jeans are much better...

Whoa, Bend! Where do you think she got those beguiling... yet ever so kinky swirls?

[Repeal The 17th]

S’cuse me ma’am, but where do you have to go to get that blue denim spray paint?

[MuttTheHoople]

Yes. Like Rommel, RE Lee was a noble man who fought for an abominable cause.