NamSouth

[btownsend]

1. "So far from engaging in a war to perpetuate slavery, I am rejoiced that
Slavery is abolished. I believe it will be greatly for the interest of the
South. So fully am I satisfied of this that I would have cheerfully lost all that
I have lost by the war, and have suffered all that I have suffered to have
this object attained."
General Robert E. Lee, May 1, 1870

2. " A nation which does not remember what it was yesterday does not know where it is today...The reputation of an individual is of minor importance to the opinion posterity may form of the motives which governed the South in their late struggle for the maintenance of the principles of the Constitution. I hope therefore, a true history will be written, and justice will be done them."

Gen. Robert E. Lee

3. "I saw in State's Rights, the only availing check upon the absolutism of the sovereign will, and secession filled me with hope, not as the destruction but as the redemption of Democracy…I deemed that you were fighting the battles of our liberty, our progress, and our civilization; and I mourn for the stake which was lost at Richmond more deeply than I rejoice over that which was saved at Waterloo." Lord Acton to R.E. Lee, 1866.

4. "Governor, if I had foreseen the use those people designed to make of their victory, there would have been no surrender at Appomattox Courthouse; no sir, not by me. Had I foreseen these results of subjugation, I would have preferred to die at Appomattox with my brave men, my sword in my right hand."

General Lee to Governor Stockdale at the *Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs, Summer 1870
(*Where my military school, Greenbrier had its Final Ball each year. BT)

5. "It appears we have appointed our worst generals to command forces, and our most gifted and brilliant to edit newspapers!
In fact, I discovered by reading newspapers that these editor/geniuses plainly saw all my strategic defects from the start, yet failed to inform me until it was too late.
Accordingly, I'm readily willing to yield my command to these obviously superior intellects, and I'll, in turn, do my best for the Cause by writing editorials -- after the fact."

Robert E. Lee 1863

6. "I ought not to have fought the battle at Gettysburg; it was a mistake. But the stakes were so great I was compelled to play; for had we succeeded, Harrisburg, Baltimore and Washington were in our hands; and, we would have succeeded had Pender lived."

General Lee to General G.C. Wharton

7. "Death, it is silent, sure march is fast gathering those whom I have longest loved, so that when he shall knock at my door, I will more willingly follow."

Robert E. Lee, 1869

8. "The commanding general considers that no greater disgrace could befall the army, and through it our whole people, than the perpetration of the barbarous outrages upon the unarmed and defenceless and the wanton destruction of private property, that have marked the course of the enemy in our own country...
It must be remembered that we make war only upon armed men, and that we cannot take vengeance for the wrongs our people have suffered without lowering ourselves in the eyes of all whose abhorrence has been excited by the atrocities of our enemies, and offending against Him to whom vengeance belongeth, without whose favour and support our efforts must all prove in vain."

General Lee (1863)

9. "We have but one rule here, and it is that every student must be a gentleman."
W&L
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A true man of honor feels humbled himself when he cannot help humbling others.
Robert E. Lee

Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more, you should never wish to do less.
Robert E. Lee

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.
Robert E. Lee


Get correct views of life, and learn to see the world in its true light. It will enable you to live pleasantly, to do good, and, when summoned away, to leave without regret.
Robert E. Lee

I cannot trust a man to control others who cannot control himself.
Robert E. Lee

I have been up to see the Congress and they do not seem to be able to do anything except to eat peanuts and chew tobacco, while my army is starving.
Robert E. Lee

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

I tremble for my country when I hear of confidence expressed in me. I know too well my weakness, that our only hope is in God.
Robert E. Lee

In all my perplexities and distresses, the Bible has never failed to give me light and strength.
Robert E. Lee


It is well that war is so terrible. We should grow too fond of it.
Robert E. Lee

Strike the tent.
Robert E. Lee

My chief concern is to try to be an humble, earnest Christian.
Robert E. Lee

Never do a wrong thing to make a friend or to keep one.
Robert E. Lee

Obedience to lawful authority is the foundation of manly character.
Robert E. Lee

The devil's name is dullness.
Robert E. Lee

The education of a man is never completed until he dies.
Robert E. Lee

The trite saying that honesty is the best policy has met with the just criticism that honesty is not policy. The real honest man is honest from conviction of what is right, not from policy.
Robert E. Lee

The war... was an unnecessary condition of affairs, and might have been avoided if forebearance and wisdom had been practiced on both sides.
Robert E. Lee

This war was not about slavery.
Robert E. Lee

We failed, but in the good providence of God apparent failure often proves a blessing.
Robert E. Lee

We have fought this fight as long, and as well as we know how. We have been defeated. For us as a Christian people, there is now but one course to pursue. We must accept the situation.
Robert E. Lee

We must expect reverses, even defeats. They are sent to teach us wisdom and prudence, to call forth greater energies, and to prevent our falling into greater disasters.
Robert E. Lee

What a cruel thing war is... to fill our hearts with hatred instead of love for our neighbors.
Robert E. Lee

Whiskey - I like it, I always did, and that is the reason I never use it.
Robert E. Lee