Robert E. Lee
Robert E. Lee
Robert Edward Leewas an American general known for commanding the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia in the American Civil War from 1862 until his surrender in 1865. The son of Revolutionary War officer Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee III, Lee was a top graduate of the United States Military Academy and an exceptional officer and military engineer in the United States Army for 32 years. During this time, he served throughout the United States, distinguished himself during the Mexican–American War,...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionPolitician
Date of Birth19 January 1807
CityStratford Hall, VA
CountryUnited States of America
For I consider the character of no man affected by a want of success, provided he has made an honest effort to succeed.
Let us go home and cultivate our virtues.
Such an executive officer the sun never shone on. I have but to show him my design, and I know that it can be done, it will be done...Straight as the needle to the pole he advanced to the execution of my purpose.
Let danger never turn you aside from the pursuit of honor or the service to your country ... Know that death is inevitable and the fame of virtue is immortal
I am now considered such a monster, that I hesitate to darken with my shadow, the doors of those I love, lest I should bring upon them misfortune.
Remember, we are all one country now. Dismiss from your mind all sectional feeling, and bring them up to be Americans.
No blame can be attached to the army for its failure to accomplish what was projected by me... I alone am to blame, in perhaps expecting too much of its prowess and valor... could I have foreseen that the attack on the last day would fail, I should certainly have tried some other course... but I do not know what better course I could have pursued.
There is always hazard in military activity, but we must decide between the positive loss of inactivity and the risk of action.
Whither shall I flee? To no country on earth that I know of where there is as much liberty as yet remains to me even in Virginia.
I am as willing to serve now as in the beginning in any capacity and at any post where I can do good. The lower the position, the more suitable to my ability and the more agreeable to my feelings.
It is good that war is so horrible, or we might grow to like it.
We cannot afford to be idle, and though weaker than our opponents in men and military equipments, must endeavor to harass, if we cannot destroy them.
There is nothing left for me to do but to go and see General Grant and I would rather die a thousand deaths.
Duty is the sublimest work in the English language.