A Person I Admire, By Dixie And Daddy

Re-post from Lee's Birthday 2011

A Person I Admire

By Dixie Townsend
Nine Years Old

Rocky Mount Telegram
March 3, 2006

"The person I admire is Robert E. Lee, the general of the
Confederate Army. He's my Dad's favorite person. Mr. Lee
was an excellent horseman. He, and his horse Traveller,
led the Confederate soldiers to fight against the Yankees.
His four daughters admired his courage, bravery and his
Southern accent. Later in life, Lee's hair turned white. His
beard was always trimmed neatly. He presented a commanding
appearance, straight, alert and intelligence. He was never known
to smoke, drink alcoholic beverages or use profane language.

General Lee was an American hero. Perhaps one day, I can be like him."

Fourth grade,
Tarboro-Edgecombe Academy,
Jamie Baker, teacher

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Edward Lee, in my estimation, was the greatest man this nation has ever produced. He graduated from the United States Military Academy without a single demerit, a feat that has been unequaled to this day. He also was second in his class and achieved the coveted cadet rank of Adjutant. He served over thirty years in the United States Army and General Winfield Scott stated that Lee's exploit before the Battle of Contreras in Mexico was "the greatest feat of physical and moral courage" he had ever known. General Scott marked him for high command and thought the cost would be cheap if the United States could absolutely insure Lee's life at the cost of five million dollars a year. He proclaimed that Lee "was the very best soldier I ever saw in the field."

In 1856, as dark clouds loomed, Lee stated that "There are few, I believe, in this enlightened age, who will not acknowledge that slavery as an institution is a moral and political evil."

When war finally came General Scott offered him command of the Union Army, but Lee , after pacing the floor all night, decided he could not fight against his own people. Lee's final written words to General Scott were "Save in defense of my native state, I never desire again to draw my sword."

After leading the Army of Northern Virginia to many victories against overwhelming odds, he surrendered and asked his men to go home and be good citizens. A while later he was offered $50,000 for the use of his name by a northern insurance company, but Lee politely informed them "Sirs, my name is the heritage of my parents. It is all I have, and it is not for sale." He also stated that concerning his previous actions "I could have taken no other course without dishonor, and if it were all to be done over again, I should act in precisely the same manner."

In 1868, the New York Herald proposed nominating Lee for President, but Lee by then President of Washington College where he had but one rule and that was "every man must be a gentleman."

Theodore Roosevelt characterized Lee as "the very greatest of all the great captains that the English-speaking peoples have brought forth." Winston Churchill stated that Lee was "one of the noblest Americans who ever lived."

In closing, I think the words of General/President Eisenhower would be appropriate concerning a question as to why he kept a picture of Lee in his office. He stated that Lee "was noble as a leader and as a man, and unsullied as I read the pages of our history......From deep conviction I simply say this: a nation of men of Lee's calibre would be unconquerable in spirit and soul."

Brock Townsend

"If any American father were asked which of our great men he would most want his own son to resemble, the father, if he were wise, would be compelled to answer, 'Robert E. Lee.'" '
Benjamin Andrews, President Brown University, 1880.

======== My General Lee Picture I looked for years until I found one that I thought truly looked like General Lee and when I saw this one, I immediately bought it. I believe he used the picture of Lee standing on the porch at his home in Richmond after his return for the likeness. Very similar. BT

From Free North Carolina