20 Questions on the Civil War

                                                20 Questions on the Civil War:

1. On what day did the Civil War begin?

April 12, 1861 with the attack, and capture of Fort Sumter.

2. On what did the first battle begin? What was the name of this battle?

July 21, 1861. The First Manassas a.k.a. The First Bull Run.

3.Name the 2 iron-clad ships that are famous for their battle with each other.

The Monitor and the Merrimack a.k.a. The C.S.S. Virginia.

4. Who is the only officer known to have had his own banjo player?

General J.E.B. Stuart.

5. Which army had a “Balloon Corps” which consisted of hot air balloons? Who was the corps commander?

The Union army. “Professor” Thaddeus S.C. Lowe.

6. Name the highest military rank available in the Confederate army, in the Union army.

Confederates- General                                 Union Army- Lieutenant General

7. Who was the first state to secede from the Union?

South Carolina.

8. Name the Confederate ship that seized/sunk about 70 Union ships with a value of $6 million.

C.S.S. Alabama.

9. Name the famous Confederate raider who was killed in Greeneville, TN.

Brig. General. John Hunt Morgan.

10. Who is the best known Civil War photographer?

Matthew Brady.

11. On what day in 1862 was Robert E. Lee named commander of the Army of Northern Virginia?

June 1, 1862.

12. Who uttered these famous words: I’d rather die than be whipped!” ?

General J.E.B. Stuart.

13. Who was the last Confederate to surrender? What force did he organize and what was special about it?

Stand Watie. The First Cherokee Mounted Rifles. It was the largest Native American force with 800 men. 

14. Name the Union officer who is called “Lion of the Round Top”.

Lawrence Joshua Chamberlain.

15. Who was the Confederate General who died on May 10, 1863? What were his last words?

General Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson. “Let us cross over the river, and rest under the shade of the trees.”

16. Give the name of the battle with the most casualties (killed/wounded/captured). Give the amount of casualties.

The Battle of Gettysburg. 51,000.

17. Name the bloodiest 1 day battle of the war and give the amount of casualties.

The Battle of Antietam A.K.A. Sharpsburg. 23,000-23,100.

18. General Lee had 5 horses during the war, name them all and specify the most famous. Also include “Stonewall” Jackson’s famous horse.

Richmond, Lucy Long, Traveller, Ajax and Brown Roan. Little Sorrel.

19. Name the Confederate General who died in 1878 from yellow fever, along with his wife and 1 daughter, leaving 10 children (including 3 sets of twins).

John Bell Hood.

20. Give the full name of the Union commander who became president after the war.

Hiram Ulysses Grant a.k.a. Ulysses S. Grant

Brig. Gen. Lawrence Joshua Chamberlain

Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain

Lawrence Joshua Chamberlain was born on September 8, 1828 to Joshua Chamberlain and Sarah Dupree in Brewer, Maine. As a young man he attended Major Whiting’s military academy. When considering career choices for their son, his mother wanted him to be a minister and his father wanted him to join the military. Ultimately he decided to enter the ministry if he could become a foreign missionary.

In 1848, Lawrence entered Bowdoin College where he began to use the name Joshua. He taught himself ancient Greek and was a part of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. He was also the college chapel organist. After graduating from Bowdoin he studied three more additional years at Bangor Theological Seminary in Bangor, Maine. He married Fanny Adams in 1855. Obviously his plans at becoming a minister didn’t work out because after his graduation from Bangor he went on to become a professor.

In 1856, Chamberlain was elected professor for Bowdoin College. He was a professor of rhetoric. Eventually he began teaching every subject besides math and science. He was fluent in 9 languages, excluding English. These being: Greek, Latin, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Arabic, Hebrew, and Syriac. In 1861, he became Professor of Modern Languages at Bowdoin.

Unbeknownst to his family or Bowdoin, Joshua enlisted in the United States Army in 1862. He was appointed Lieutenant Colonel of the 20^th Maine. He was offered a higher position of Colonelcy of the 20^th but refused, reportedly wanting to learn the ropes first.

The 20^th Maine marched to Antietam but did not participate in the fighting. There first action was not until September at Shepherdstown Ford. Their first major battle was on Dec. 13^th, 1862 at Fredericksburg. The Confederates had arrived first and gained control of Marye’s Heights which had a long stonewall on the sides of the road. The Confederates had an almost unbreakable line and plenty of fortification; the charges of the Union troops were basically fool-hardy. During the night Chamberlain crawled around to check on his troops. The Federals had attempted a total of 14 charges, all of which failed. The battle was so gruesome and the dead were so many that during the night Chamberlain and his men had  to use dead bodies as shields. The rest of the year until and the beginning of the next were uneventful for the 20^th. They missed Chancellorsville because of small pox in the ranks caused by bad vaccines.

In June 1863, Chamberlain was promoted to Colonel of the regiments. July 1-3 found the 20^th Maine at Gettysburg. Joshua received two small wounds at this battle: one when a bullet hit his sword scabbard and bruised his thigh and the other when a piece of shrapnel bit his right foot. He was suffering from malaria dysentery and was eventually taken out of active duty until he recovered.

Chamberlain returned to the 20^th and received the promotion of brigade commander. During the Siege of Fredericksburg he received a bullet through the thigh that was considered mortal. Nonetheless, he continued fighting by pushing his sword into the ground and holding himself up until he collapsed from loss of blood. It was so bad that Maine falsely received word that he was dead. After this he was promoted to Brigadier General.

He was given command of the 1^st Brigade of the 1^st division of the V corps in 1865. During a skirmish on Quaker road he received a wound in the left arm and chest and was almost captured. He received the rank of Major General after this.  After General Lee gave word of wanting to surrender Chamberlain received word that he would be in charge of the parade of men to the court house at Appomattox. During this parade Chamberlain, of his own initiative, did something for which he gained my respect. His action is detailed in this account from his book “The Passing of the Armies”: “Gordon, at the head of the marching column, outdoes us in courtesy. He was riding with downcast eyes and more than pensive look; but at this clatter of arms he raises his eyes and instantly catching the significance, wheels his horse with that superb grace of which he is master, drops the point of his sword to his stirrup, gives a command, at which the great Confederate ensign following him is dipped and his decimated brigades, as they reach our right, respond to the 'carry.' All the while on our part not a sound of trumpet or drum, not a cheer, nor a word nor motion of man, but awful stillness as if it were the passing of the dead” ^1. After this General Gordon referred to him as “one of the knightliest soldiers of the federal army.”  His “knightly” deed was not appreciated by many Northern people and he defended his action, also in his book ³“The Passing of the Armies”, this way: “The momentous meaning of this occasion impressed me deeply. I resolved to mark it by some token of recognition, which could be no other than a salute of arms. Well aware of the responsibility assumed, and of the criticisms that would follow, as the sequel proved, nothing of that kind could move me in the least….My main reason, however, was one for which I sought no authority nor asked forgiveness. Before us in proud humiliation stood the embodiment of manhood: men whom neither toils and sufferings, nor the fact of death, nor disaster, nor hopelessness could bend from their resolve; standing before us now, thin, worn, and famished, but erect, and with eyes looking level into ours, waking memories that bound us together as no other bond;–was not such manhood to be welcomed back into a Union so tested and assured?” ²

After the war Chamberlain became governor of Maine and won the office four years in a row. In 1866 he set a record for the most votes and highest percentage of any governor. He would break his own record in 1868. After he left his office as governor he went back to Bowdoin where he was appointed president of the college until 1883 when he had to leave because he was having health problems as a result of old war wounds.

In 1893 he received the Medal of Honor for his deeds as Gettysburg. He was in constant pain from the wound he received during the Siege of Petersburg.

In 1898, when the Spanish- American war was going on Chamberlain volunteered for duty as an officer but was rejected. He called it one of the greatest disappointments of his life.

He died in 1914 at 85 years old as a result of his war wounds. It is said that he was the last Civil War veteran to die as a result of wounds received during the war. Lawrence Joshua Chamberlain was a man of deep honor. He ultimately gave his life for what he believed in, and was honorable enough to pay respect to others who did the same, even though he had fought against them.

¹⁼Taken directly from Wikipedia.        ²- A direct quote from his book “The Passing of the Armies”

General Thomas J."Stonewall" Jackson

Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson

Here I begin my report on Thomas Jonathan Jackson, known famously and throughout this report as Stonewall Jackson. I want to focus mainly on his military career in the C.S.A. and his spiritual life, but in doing so I must also include some of his early child hood and life before 1861. ­­­­­­­­

Stonewall Jackson was born on Jan. 21, 1824, to Jonathan and Julia Jackson in Clarksburg, WV (then VA). Stonewall’s father died in March, 1826 leaving his mother a widow. Julia Jackson married in Mr. Woodson, a lawyer, in 1830. Because her second husband was not a rich man she was forced to send her children away to relatives. The only time Thomas ever saw his mother again was on her death bed. He lived most of his young life with his uncle, Cummins Jackson.  Even then, Cummins realized that at a young age, Thomas was extremely noble.

In 1842, Jackson was accepted to West Point. As a soldier Thomas was a genius in military tactics, but as a student he had to work hard. He refused to move onto the next lesson until he had mastered the last one which always left him behind the other students. But when he put his mind to something he determined to master it. While he was at West Point he wrote for himself a book of maxims. The most notable one being, “You may be whatever you resolve to be.” Proving this very point is the fact that in his four years as a student in VMI, he went from ranking 51 in his class, to graduating at 17^th out of 59. Jackson graduated in 1846 when he was 22 years old.

Immediately after his graduation, he joined the United States army, with the rank of Second Lieutenant of Artillery. Jackson was then sent to Mexico to serve under General Scott. Jackson was a part of the siege of Vera Cruz and several more. He was a good soldier and was later recognized by Winfield Scott with a supper in his honor for receiving the most promotions of any other officer, ending with Major. It was in Mexico that Jackson beginning thinking about the God and the Bible. On May 26, 1848 the USA signed a peace treaty with Mexico and ended the fighting. After the end of the Mexican war, Jackson was sent to two different forts. The first being Fort Hamilton, and the second, Fort Meade. It was while he was at Fort Meade that he received word that he was elected professor at VMI for natural and experimental philosophy as well as artillery tactics.

While being at VMI as a professor, Jackson used his old method of study. He would often stay after one class and study the next day’s lesson so he could be prepared. He was always punctual and usually arrived early for class so he could spend time praying for the students and classes of the day. He wasn’t always a popular professor because he was sometimes strict and stern, but they respected him. During the time he was a professor, he met Eleanor Junkin, the daughter of a preacher, and they were married Aug 4, 1853. Sadly, she died around a year later. On July 16, 1857, he married Mary Anna Morrison, also the daughter of a preacher. Although a strict professor and military commander he was a gentle, kind husband.

On April 21, 1861, Jackson was called to the join the Confederate forces and take charge at Harpers Ferry. Jackson assembled his brigade which would become known as the “Stonewall Brigade”. It was formed from the 2^nd, 4^th, 5^th, 27^th, and 33^rd Virginia Infantry Regiments. The first major battle took place on July 21, 1861. The battle is called the “First Manassas”. It is reported that Barnard Bee seeing Jackson and his men holding the hill that they were on strongly said “There stand Jackson like a stone wall. Rally behind the Virginians!” Another author (who rode with Stonewall Jackson) quotes it as “Look! There is Jackson’s brigade standing behind you like a stone wall!” And way it is written, that is how Jackson and his brigade earned their nicknames. After this battle he was promoted to major general.

Despite the fame he gained at the First Manassas, arguably the most famous is his Valley Campaign. He was only defeated once during the whole campaign at Kernstown, but it became a great tactical victory because it made Lincoln to believe that Jackson had a much larger force than he really did. After several victories and tactical defeats the Union forces were withdrawn from the Valley. As written in in John w. Jones’ book “Christ in the Camp”, during the times where the troops were at rest in their camps Jackson did his best to retain services on Sunday and sometimes ordered prayers of thanksgiving to God for different victories.

In 1862, Anna Jackson had a daughter which they names Julia Laura. She was the only child of Jackson’s that survived. She was born only a year or less before her father’s death.

On April 30- May 6 the battle of Chancellorsville was fought. In this battle Lee’s strategic move to divide his forces to overcome the foe resulted in a decisive victory. Jackson and his men were sent on a flanking attack. Jackson appointed Fitzhugh Lee’s cavalry to spy out the enemies’ position. When he returned he had the triumphant report that the enemy’s right side of their lines were only guarded by two guns and the men were not in attention but playing games, etc. Here is a quote from Fitzhugh Lee about his dealings with Jackson: So impressed was I with my discovery, that I rode rapidly back to the point on the Plank road where I had left my cavalry, and back down the road Jackson was moving, until I met "Stonewall" himself. "General," said I, "if you will ride with me, halting your column here, out of sight, I will show you the enemy's right, and you will perceive the great advantage of attacking down the Old turnpike instead of the Plank road, the enemy's lines being taken in reverse. Bring only one courier, as you will be in view from the top of the hill." Jackson assented, and I rapidly conducted him to the point of observation. There had been no change in the picture. I only knew Jackson slightly. I watched him closely as he gazed upon Howard's troops. It was then about 2 P.M. His eyes burned with a brilliant glow, lighting up a sad face. His expression was one of intense interest, his face was colored slightly with the paint of approaching battle, and radiant at the success of his flank movement. To the remarks made to him while the unconscious line of blue was pointed out, he did not reply once during the five minutes he was on the hill, and yet his lips were moving. From what I have read and heard of Jackson since that day, I know now what he was doing then. Oh! "beware of rashness," General Hooker. Stonewall Jackson is praying in full view and in rear of your right flank! While talking to the Great God of Battles, how could he hear what a poor cavalryman was saying. "Tell General Rodes," said he, suddenly whirling his horse towards the courier, "to move across the Old plank road; halt when he gets to the Old turnpike, and I will join him there." One more look upon the Federal lines, and then he rode rapidly down the hill, his arms flapping to the motion of his horse, over whose head it seemed, good rider as he was, he would certainly go. I expected to be told I had made a valuable personal reconnaissance—saving the lives of many soldiers, and that Jackson was indebted to me to that amount at least. Perhaps I might have been a little chagrined at Jackson's silence, and hence commented inwardly and adversely upon his horsemanship. Alas! I had looked upon him for the last time.” ¹

On May 2, Jackson and his men pursued the enemy until dark. As they were returning home Jackson and his men were mistaken for the enemy and fired upon by the 18^th North Carolina Infantry. Jackson was wounded by three bullets, one in the right hand and two in the left arm. Because of the darkness he was dropped from his place in the stretcher several times and couldn’t receive immediate care. His left arm was amputated by his doctor, Hunter McGuire. Jackson complained of pain in his chest and it was mistaken as pain from being dropped. Unbeknownst to the doctors it was signs of pneumonia.  On Sunday May 10, Jackson upon hearing he was most likely would enter into the presence of the Lord that day replied "It is the Lord's Day; my wish is fulfilled. I have always desired to die on Sunday."² Later that day he entered a state of delirium from his condition. His last few moments and words were reported by Dr. Hunter McGuire in this way:  A few moments before he died he cried out in his delirium, "Order A.P. Hill to prepare for action! Pass the infantry to the front rapidly! Tell Major Hawks"—then stopped, leaving the sentence unfinished. Presently a smile of ineffable sweetness spread itself over his pale face, and he said quietly, and with an expression, as if of relief, "Let us cross over the river, and rest under the shade of the trees."³

Upon hearing of Jackson’s death Lee said “I have lost my right arm” and was also reported as saying “I’m bleeding at the heart.” His words were probably the sentiments of the entire south. The death of Jackson was one of the hardest blows the Confederacy took.  I don’t believe Lee ever recovered from the loss. Jackson’s widow, Anna Jackson, never again married.

“My religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time for my death. I do not concern myself about that, but to be always ready, no matter when it may overtake me. ... That is the way all men should live, and then all would be equally brave.”- Jackson lived this way until the end.

 ^{1, 2, & 3-} Direct quotes take from Wikipedia.com

A letter from Sullivan Ballou

I wanted to share a video I had seen awhile back that really touched me. It is a letter narrated by Phil Coulter from a man named Sullivan Ballou to his wife Sarah. Such eloquence and so different from today's society. The side he fought on I personally disagree with, but the letter will melt your heart. A beautiful, heart wrenching letter you probably won't forget for a long time!

Shenendoah

"Oh, Shenendoah" also called "Across the Wide Missouri". One of my favorite songs! Played beautifully. It wasn't in existence during the Civil War, but it has a very somber tune and would have been perfect for that time. It was reportedly published in the 1880's. Enjoy! :) 

Ashokan Farewell

This song is called the "Ashokan Farewell" and is played here by Jay Unger and Molly Mason. It was not written during the Civil War period but was used in Ken Burns Civil War documentary. Enjoy!

General Robert E. Lee

Robert Edward Lee was born on January 19, 1807 at Stratford Hall Plantation (Westmoreland County, VA) to Henry Lee III and Anne Hill Carter Lee. His father was the famous “Light horse Harry” Lee that served in the revolutionary war. Unfortunately, there aren’t many details on his early life except his father was sent to debtors prison. Soon after his release he was injured in a political riot and James Madison arranged for him to travel to the West Indies. He died while he was there. Robert was only 11 years old. In 1825 Lee entered West Point and upon his graduation he was 2^nd in his class.

Lee married Mary Anna Randolph Custis, great-granddaughter of Martha Washington, on June 30, 1831. They had 7 children: George Washington Custis Lee, Mary Custis Lee, William Henry Lee Fitzhugh Lee, Annie Carter Lee, Eleanor Agnes Lee, Robert Edward Lee, Jr., and Mildred Childe Lee. All of them outlived their father except Annie who died in 1862. Custis Lee became president of Washington and Lee College for 26 years after his father’s death. Fitzhugh Lee was president of the VA Agricultural society. In 1887 he was elected to Congress. Robert loved children and animals. He had a horse named Grace Darling that he purchased in Texas on his way to Mexico for the war; she was said to be his favorite mare. Also a dog named Spec who stayed with him while he was stationed at different forts. During the Mexican War he was one of General Winfield Scott’s chief aides. During this time Lee met U.S. Grant and they even worked together. The highest promotion he received due to the Mexican war was Colonel. In 1859, Lee along with Jeb Stuart participated in capturing John Brown at Harper’s Ferry.   

 In February, 1861 General Lee was ordered to report to General Scott commanding the United States Army. In April 20^th he wrote a letter to Gen. Scott stating his wish of resignation and requested that the General to recommend it for acceptance. He sent in his resignation from the United States Army the same day. He wrote several other letters around the same time and in all of them he expressed his wish that “Save in the defense of my native State, I never desire again to draw my sword.”¹ On April 22, 1861 he was requested to command the forces from Virginia, which he accepted.

After stating a few facts, concerning his actions during the war, I will not try to go in depth into all of his campaigns and movements but rather focus on General Lee as a person, a Christian and father. But to start, General Lee was unable to be at Manassas because President Davis wouldn’t allow him to go. General Lee encouraged Mary and the children to leave Arlington because he didn’t know how the war would affect Richmond and didn’t think it was “prudent” for them to stay. Throughout the war they stayed with several family members but eventually found a place in town. Mary never saw Arlington again. To make sure the Lee’s never got to live there again, Union troops buried their dead in the yard making it unlivable.

In 1861, General Lee bought Traveller in the mountains of Virginia. He had a total of five horses throughout the war: Richmond, Brown Roan, Ajax, Lucy Long and Traveller. The first two died and he next two “failed”². Traveller alone “retained his vigor”³ and was a lifelong friend to General Lee. His had an immense faith in God and never failed to mention him in victory. He often sent orders naming a specific day for fasting and prayer to God because he believed they relied on their own strength to much for victory.

At the beginning of the war Lee’s troops suffered several losses and the presses blamed Lee for them. He was appointed military advisor to Jefferson Davis. On June 1, 1862 General Lee was appointed commander of the Army of Northern Virginia. In the early stages of the war he was called “Granny Lee” because they didn’t think he was aggressive enough with the enemy. After the Seven Days Battles and as a result McClellan being driven back they called him “Marse Robert” as a term of respect. All of the General’s sons served in the Confederacy. For most of the war Custis Lee served as Aide-de-camp to President Jefferson Davis. Fitzhugh Lee was a Colonel in the 9^th VA Cavalry until he was promoted to command of a brigade in the same arm of service. Robert, Jr. was a Private in the Rockbridge Artillery under Stonewall Jackson until he was promoted to Lieutenant and Aide-de-camp to his brother Fitzhugh. 

                                               

He participated in the battle of Antietam, the bloodiest day in the war. He also took a part on the victories at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. The beginning years of the war were mostly Confederate high tides. When General Lee received General Jackson’s note about being wounded he sent him a reply saying, “I cannot express my regret at the occurrence. Could I have directed events, I should have chosen for the good of the country to have been disabled in your stead. I congratulate you on the victory, which is due to your skill and energy.”⁴ When Jackson received this reply he said, “Better ten Jacksons should fall than one Lee.”⁵ When General Lee was told later on that General Jackson was doing better he teasingly wrote and said, “You are better off than I am, for while you have only lost your left, I have lost my right arm.”⁶ After learning of Jackson’s death, he wrote to his wife, “I know not how to replace him.”⁷ General Jackson once said about the General “… He is the only man whom I would follow blindfolded.”⁸

                                        

In 1863, Lee decided to invade the North once again. The fighting that started a 3 day battle, at Gettysburg, began on July 1^st. The Confederacy suffered a terrible loss when Jeb Stuarts Cavalry was unable to participate in the battle until the 2^nd day, Lee not being in good health, and several other factors that turned those 3 days for the worse. At the close of the battle the Confederates and their Commander had to retreat. They never fully recovered from the loss at Gettysburg. Most of the battles afterwards were losses. But despite his loss I want to tell a story that shows that even in defeat the General was always a heroic gentleman: “A Union soldier, wounded and laying on the battlefield at Gettysburg, saw General Lee and his men retreating. As they passed by he yelled ‘Hurrah for the Union, Hurrah for the Union!’ General Lee got off his horse and walked over to him. The soldier at first he thought he was going to be killed. Instead, the General bent down and grabbed his hand and said “My son, I hope you will soon be well.” He then got on his horse and left. The soldier was so shocked that a man would be so kind as to stop and say such words especially to his enemy, not to mention a man who had taunted him.” This story tells of General Lee’s ever kind spirit. General Lee also issued an order throughout the ranks that no soldier should burn, harm or bother any person or their belongings in the north, despite Sherman ravaging the south from South Carolina to Georgia.

In early 1865, General Lee was made general-and-chief of the Confederate army. The General wrote to his wife concerning his thoughts that Grant would attack and the possibility that they could be overwhelmed: “I shall, however, endeavor to do my duty and fight to the last.” The Battle of Petersburg was the final straw in the Confederacy. General Lee had only a small force of men, having lost thousands to battle, disease, capture, and possibly some due to starvation. They were running out of rations and supplies. Many men had no blankets or shoes to withstand the cold weather. Here is an account given by General Early concerning the retreat after Petersburg: "...The retreat from the lines of Richmond and Petersburg began in the early days of April, and the remnant of the Army of Northern Virginia fell back, more than one hundred miles, before its overpowering antagonists, repeatedly presenting front to the latter and giving battle so as to check his progress. Finally, from mere exhaustion, less than eight thousand men with arms in their hands, of the noblest army that ever fought 'in the tide of time,' were surrendered at Appomattox to an army of 150,000 men; the sword of Robert E. Lee, without a blemish on it, was sheathed forever; and the flag, to which he had added such luster, was furled, to be, henceforth, embalmed in the affectionate remembrance of those who remained faithful during all our trials, and will do so to the end."⁹

And here is also a quote from Colonel Archer Anderson: "...Of the siege of Petersburg, I have only time to say that in it for nine months the Confederate commander displayed every art by which genius and courage can make good the lack of numbers and resources. But the increasing misfortunes of the Confederate arms on other theatres of the war gradually cut off the supply of men and means. The Army of Northern Virginia ceased to be recruited, it ceased to be adequately fed. It lived for months on less than one-third rations. It was demoralised, not by the enemy in its front, but by the enemy in Georgia and the Carolinas. It dwindled to 35,000 men, holding a front of thirty-five miles; but over the enemy it still cast the shadow of its great name. Again and again, by a bold offensive, it arrested the Federal movement to fasten on its communications. At last, an irresistible concentration of forces broke through its long thin line of battle. Petersburg had to be abandoned. Richmond was evacuated. Trains bearing supplies were intercepted, and a starving army, harassed for seven days by incessant attacks on rear and flank, found itself completely hemmed in by overwhelming masses. Nothing remained to it but its stainless honour, its unbroken courage. In those last solemn scenes, when strong men, losing all self-control, broke down and sobbed like children, Lee stood forth as great as in the days of victory and triumph. No disaster crushed his spirit, no extremity of danger ruffled his bearing…”¹⁰

Finally to state the respect the Army of Northern Virginia had gained from friend and foe alike, I insert an excerpt from “History of the Army of the Potomac” by William Swinton: We had, I was satisfied, sacred principles to maintain and rights to defend, for which we were in duty bound to do our best, even if we perished in the endeavour."¹¹

                                              

On April 10, 1865, General Lee surrendered his forces at Appomattox Court House to General Grant.  The General said only a few words to his men, "Men, we have fought through the war together; I have done my best for you; my heart is too full to say more."¹² General Long describes who the men reacted when they realized that surrender was inevitable: "It is impossible to describe the anguish of the troops when it was known that the surrender of the army was inevitable. Of all their trials, this was the greatest and hardest to endure. There was no consciousness of shame; each heart could boast with honest pride that its duty had been done to the end, and that still unsullied remained its honour. When, after this interview with General Grant, General Lee again appeared, a shout of welcome instinctively went up from the army. But instantly recollecting the sad occasion that brought him before them, their shouts sank into silence, every hat was raised, and the bronzed faces of thousands of grim warriors were bathed in tears. As he rode slowly along the lines, hundreds of his devoted veterans pressed around the noble chief, trying to take his hand, touch his person, or even lay their hands upon his horse, thus exhibiting for him their great affection. The General then with head bare, and tears flowing freely down his manly cheeks, bade adieu to the army."¹³ On the same day of the surrender General Lee wrote this farewell address to the troops: "After four years' of arduous service, marked by unsurpassed courage and fortitude, the Army of Northern Virginia has been compelled to yield to overwhelming numbers and resources. I need not tell the survivors of so many hard-fought battles, who have remained steadfast to the last, that I have consented to this result from no distrust of them; but, feeling that valour and devotion could accomplish nothing that could compensate for the loss that would have attended the continuation of the contest, I have determined to avoid the useless sacrifice of those whose past services have endeared them to their countrymen. By the terms of the agreement, officers and men can return to their homes and remain there until exchanged. You will take with you the satisfaction that proceeds from the consciousness of duty faithfully performed; and I earnestly pray that a merciful God will extend to you his blessing and protection. With an increasing admiration of your constancy and devotion to your country, and a grateful remembrance of your kind and generous consideration of myself, I bid you an affectionate farewell.”   "R. E. Lee, General."¹⁴

His final thoughts on the war can be described this way: “… We had, I was satisfied, sacred principles to maintain and rights to defend, for which we were duty bound to do our best, even if we perished in the endeavor.”¹⁵ I must also add that even in surrender his troops never lost their love for the General. After the signing of the terms of surrender, General Lee rode Traveller back towards camp. When his men saw him they cheered but became solemn when they remember the severity of the occasion. As he rode back into camp one of his soldiers yelled “We still love you General Lee!” That was the way, I trust, the whole army felt.

The men in the Confederate forces were sent home on parole. General Lee rode Traveller back to be with his wife and children. He received numerous callers in the weeks following his return to Richmond. Old friends, Confederate and Union soldiers alike. He received them all graciously.  One in particular I wish to tell you about, so, I enter it here; describing a man who came to see the General: The man was Irish all over, and showed by his uniform and carriage that he was a "regular," and not a volunteer. On our asking him what he wanted, he replied that he wanted to see General Lee, that he had heard down the street the General and his family were suffering for lack of something to eat, that he had been with "the Colonel" when he commanded the Second Cavalry, and, as long as he had a cent, his old colonel should not suffer. My father, who had stepped into another room as he heard the bell ring, hearing something of the conversation, came out into the hall. The old Irishman, as soon as he saw him, drew himself up and saluted, and repeated to the General, with tears streaming down his cheeks, what he had just said to us. My father was very much touched, thanked him heartily for his kindness and generosity, but told him that he did not need the things he had brought and could not take them. This seemed to disappoint the old soldier greatly, and he pleaded so hard to be allowed to present the supplies to his old colonel, whom he believed to be in want of them, that at last my father said that he would accept the basket and sent it to the hospital, for the sick and wounded, who were really in great need. Though he was not satisfied, he submitted to this compromise, and then to our surprise and dismay, in bidding the General good-bye, threw his arms around him and was attempting to kiss him, when "Dan" and I interfered. As he was leaving, he said: "Good-bye, Colonel! God bless ye! If I could have got over in time I would have been with ye!"¹⁶

 Eventually, General was elected president of Washington College, later re-named Washington and Lee. General Lee came home one day and could not speak. The doctors were immediately called and he was put in bed. When his son General Custis Lee spoke of his getting well Gen. Lee only shook his head no and pointed towards Heaven. He died on Oct, 12, 1870.  Neither, Custis Lee nor Robert, Jr. was able to be with the General at his death but Colonel Johnston who was a very close friend of the General, and was present when he died and reports his last words as being: “Strike the tent. Tell Hill he must come up.” Besides this he spent most of his sick time quietly, and apparently resigned to God’s will in the matter. General Lee’s favorite song, “How Firm a Foundation”, was sung at his funeral. His old war companion, Traveller, was led behind the casket. He was buried in the Chapel at Washington and Lee University along with his wife and children who followed after him. Traveller died not long after him in, 1871 and is buried outside of the chapel, only a few feet away from the family crypt. Before I conclude I have to enter these two quotes by General Lee: I have fought against the people of the North because I believed they were seeking to wrest from the South its dearest rights. But I have never cherished toward them bitter or vindictive feelings, and have never seen the day when I did not pray for them. -Robert E. Lee

I can only say that I am nothing but a poor sinner, trusting in Christ alone for salvation.”- Robert E. Lee

                                   

            Footnotes ^1-16 are direct quotes from “Reminiscences and letters of General Robert E. Lee”

The Purpose of Traveller's Journal

Hey all! I decided to begin this blog because of my interest in the Civil War. I wanted a place to put all of my writings on the different Generals, and battles, ect. I named it "Traveller's Journal" after General Lee's horse, Traveller, who was a trusted friend and companion of his all throughout the war.  I hope you enjoy reading my posts as we explore different battlefields and walk the foot steps of legends!

NOTE: Most of the reports published on this blog I have personally written and are not copies of someone else's writing.