Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 17.djvu/370

 362 Southern Historical Society Papers,

it was practicable, and gave as a reason why he did not that he was unwilling to separate his fate from men who had fought under him so long. When I recall my old commander, I think not in connection with him of ambitious Caesar, of avaricious Marlborough, of selfish Bonaparte, but rather of the English Hampden and the American Washington, who resembled him in his rare moderation and in ex- alted virtue. The recent installation of a monument to Lee in Rich- mond city gives him just now special prominence. I therefore hope that these details, illustrative of particular phases of his character, may not be without interest to many.

David S. G. Cabell.

ROBERT E. LEE.

BY JEFFERSON DAVIS.

[North American Review. '\

Robert Edward Lee, gentleman, scholar, gallant soldier, great general, and true Christian, was born in Westmoreland county, Va., on January 19, 1807. He was the youngest son of General Henry Lee, who was familiarly known as ** Light Horse Harry'* in the traditions of the war of the Revolution, and who possessed the marked confidence and personal regard of General Washington. ^

R. E. Lee entered the United States Military Academy in the summer of 1825, after which my acquaintance with him commenced. He was, as I remember him, larger and looked more mature than the average " pleb," but less so than Mason, who was destined to be the head of his class. His soldierly bearing and excellent conduct caused him in due succession to rise through the several grades and to be the adjutant of the corps of cadets when he graduated. It is stated that be had not then a * * demerit ' ' mark standing against him, which is quite creditable if all *' reports *' against him had been can- celled because they were not for wanton or intentional delinquency. Though numerically rated second in his class his proficiency was such that he was assigned to the engineer corps, which for many years he adorned both as a military and civil engineer.

He was of the highest type of manly beauty, yet seemingly un- conscious of it, and so respectful and unassuming as to make him a general favorite before his great powers had an opportunity for mani-