Robert E. Lee: The Character of the Man

By Steven L. Warren

CBNNews.com Writer-Producer

January 19, 2007

CBNNews.com -- VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- 200 years ago Friday, Robert Edward Lee was born. His birthday, January 19, 1807 was celebrated by many states throughout the South for years following the Civil War.

Five states including Arkansas, Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee and Alabama still mark Lee's birthday as an official holiday.  "Marse Robert's" birthday is also celebrated by many people and historical groups across the country as "Robert E. Lee Day." However, the celebration of the birth of the former commanding Confederate general is not without controversy.

Throughout the Southern states, just like the ever-growing myth of "The Lost Cause," Lee has risen to almost a sainthood-like status. 137 years after his death, it has become hard to separate the man from the myth. He was loved by his soldiers and respected by his enemies.

A Larger-Than-Life Figure

Lee was admired by people in both the North and the South after the war. But, let us not forget he was also vilifed by many during the war. This was the man whom had led the army that killed many a man wearing Union Army blue. All were fathers, sons, brothers, uncles, cousins -- the kindred of many families.

During a Civil War photography seminar in 2006, it was discovered Matthew Brady's camera had not only captured a famous pose of Lee a few days after his surrender, it had also captured graffiti written on Lee's house in Richmond. Written clearly on one of the bricks behind Lee, the word "Devil," appeared, probably in chalk. Brady left this out of his print of his image. The graffiti was found only upn the examination of the originial negative.

Unfortunately, hate groups have taken the Confederate battle flag to be their symbol. Even though the flag was never officially adopted by the Confederate States government, when that flag is waved it still stirs deep feelings. In the continuing debate of whether the battle flag should be displayed in front of public buildings and even historical sites, it is often forgotten slavery existed for more years under the Stars and Stripes than it did under the four short years of the existence of the Confederacy.

Today, the mere mention of Lee's name in some parts of the country invokes the mistaken idea that he led the Army of Northern Virginia in order to maintain the existence of the institution of slavery.

However, one must look at the evidence in order to search and find the truth.

One of The Greatest Men in The World

Lee was opposed to slavery and this fact is a matter of historical record. He freed the slaves he inherited from his wife's estate long before the war began.

One of these former slaves, a man by the name of William Mac Lee, chose to stand by his former master throughout the war and served as his cook. Years after the war, the man wrote, "I was raised by one of the greatest men in the world."

Lee also prayed for an end to slavery. While still serving in the United States Army, Lee sent a letter to President Franklin Pierce in which he wrote "The doctrines and miracles of the Savior have required nearly two thousand years to convert but a small portion of the human race, and even among Christian nations what gross errors still exist! While we see the course of the final abolition of human slavery is still onward, and give it the aid of our prayers, let us leave the progress as well as the results in the hands of him who, chooses to work by slow influences, and with whom a thousand years are but as a single day."

Following the Confederate surrender at Appomatox, Lee wrote out a final farewell to his men. He told them to go home and encouraged them to become good citizens of the United States. He did the same, becoming the president of a small college, now known as Washington and Lee University.

Visit the Old Hall of the U.S. House of Representatives at the U.S. Capitol. There you will see a statute honoring Lee as an outstanding citizen by the state of Virginia.

Although pardoned after the war, Lee's American citizenship was stripped from him. This error of history was corrected on August 5, 1975.  President Gerald R. Ford signed a bill restoring Lee's citizenship. Just before the bill's signing, Ford said, "As a soldier, General Lee left his mark on military strategy. As a man, he stood as the symbol of valor and duty. As an educator, he appealed to reason and learning to achieve the understanding and to build a stronger nation. The course he chose after the war became a symbol to all those who had marched with him in the bitter years towards Appomattox. General Lee's character has been an example to succeeding generations, making the restoration of his citizenship and event in which every American can take pride."

The Character of the Man

Perhaps, it is time for us to study more about the character of Robert E. Lee, the man. As a Christian, Lee prayed often. He prayed for his friends. He prayed for his family. He was deeply moved by the prayers of others. Lee prayed with his men in the midst of battle. He prayed daily. He prayed for his enemies.

According to the Truman Library, there is a prayer written by Lee which was memorized by Harry Truman and was used by Truman throughout his life. "Help me to be, to think, to act what is right because it is right. Make me truthful, honest and honorable in all things. Make me intellectually honest for the sake of right and honor and without thought of reward to me."

Sources: Truman Library, A Life or Gen. Robert E. Lee by John Esten Cooke, Ford Library, Robert E. Lee online biography, The Center for Civil War Photography

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