Recollections and Letters of General Robert E. Lee

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

2323

Title

Recollections and Letters of General Robert E. Lee

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This collection offers intimate access to General Robert E. Lee through his son's recollections and the General's own letters. It chronicles Lee's military career, his devotion to family, his presidency at Washington College, and his final days, presenting a portrait of a man defined by duty, humility, and deep Christian faith.

Summary up to 500 words

Compiled by his son, Captain Robert E. Lee, *Recollections and Letters of General Robert E. Lee* offers an intimate portrait of the Confederate leader, blending memoir with personal correspondence. The narrative chronicles Lee's life from his early service in the United States Army and his tenure as Superintendent at West Point to his resignation to lead the Confederate cause. It details his command of the Army of Northern Virginia, highlighting the profound personal costs of the war, including the deaths of his daughter Annie and brother Smith, and the wounding of his son Fitzhugh. The text transitions to the post-war era, illustrating Lee's dedication to restoring Virginia and his acceptance of the presidency at Washington College. Through letters to his wife, Mary, and sons, the book reveals his domestic life, his deep affection for his pets like the horse "Traveller," and his steadfast advice to young men. A significant portion is dedicated to his final illness and death in 1870. Described with dignity and sublime resignation, his passing is attributed not only to physical ailments contracted during the war but also to the moral strain of defeat and the suffering of his people. The work serves as both a historical record and a touching family history, emphasizing Lee's character as a devoted father, a principled leader, and a man who faced tragedy with stoic grace. It captures his quiet zeal, his Christian meekness, and his unwavering sense of duty, presenting a figure who remained composed even as he faced the end of his life, leaving behind a legacy of honor and integrity.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Biography
• History