Lee the American

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ISBN: 9780486433684 | 0486433684
Cover: Paperback
Copyright: 6/18/2004

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Sympathetic portrait of an enigmatic man who was a model of decorum and honor, a moderate on the issue of secession, a fierce fighter in battle, and a chivalrous soldier even in defeat. Exceptional sourcebook for students of American history, Civil War buffs, and admirers of the Southern general. 10 black-and-white illustrations.

1. LEE BEFORE THE WAR

(14)

Lee's descent and indifference to it

his father

his mother

his childhood education

West Point

marriage and Virginia surroundings

life until the Mexican War

service in Mexico

Scott and others praise him

domestic correspondence

professional life during the fifties

superintendent at West Point

service on the plains

political and personal details in letters

arrest of John Brown

Lee's personal appearance.

II. THE GREAT DECISION

(16)

Growth of a Lee legend to be deplored

his strong sense of duty

his views before the war

approach of the struggle

offered command of U.S. Army

interview with Scott

resigns his commission

discussion of his course

Rawle on West Point

general excuse of secession

does not apply to Lee

his state loyalty

a natural sentiment

has also a deeper political significance

Lee thus felt he was fighting for liberty

but also fighting for slavery, the real cause of the war

Lee did not believe in slavery and this makes tragedy of his position

absolute constancy to decision once made

no thought of personal advantage.

III. LEE AND DAVIS

(18)

Material for study of Davis

his character

an orator

practical qualities

a nervous sensitive

his general relations with military subordinates

Lee's tact and deference to Davis

instance of this in offer to resign after Gettysburg

yet Lee does not hesitate to assert himself, when necessary

and, in spite of all his tact, finds Davis difficult

Davis's estimate of Lee

Lee's estimate of Davis

their relations grow more critical towards the close

Davis's unpopularity

how far he himself was responsible for this

public disposition to set up Lee as dictator

he refuses

friendly relations between him and Davis consequently preserved to the end.

IV LEE AND THE CONFEDERATE GOVERNMENT

(18)

Lee takes command of Virginia forces

then enters service of Confederacy

his subordination to civil power

limits of this subordination and assertion of authority in various directions

as to retaliation

as to negro military service

his great influence shown in this and in the desire to make him dictator

could he as such have saved the Confederacy?

Motives of his refusal

not preference of state to national allegiance

rather, modesty and unwillingness to assume responsibility that did not belong to him

also a consciousness of the uncertain political future of the Confederacy

leaves this future to God

his attitude towards peace negotiations

believes to the end that success is possible, if the people will make sacrifices

loyal and lofty acceptance of the result

dies a true American.

V LEE AND HIS ARMY

(18)

Lee's relations to his army as showing his character

his organizing ability

his discipline, lenient, but productive of good results

discipline of officers

tact and sympathetic suggestion

difficulties as to promotion

disputes of the officers with each other

largely as to share of blame for failure

Lee's example and influence in this regard

personal relation with officers

no familiarity, but always kindliness

his accessibility

his relations with the common soldiers

memory for names and faces

simplicity of his habits

his armys love for him

cause of this his love for them

illustrative anecdote.

VI. LEE AND JACKSON

(20)

Character of Jackson

a fighter, sensitive and kindly, but full of devouring energy

and able to inspire others with the same

was he ambitious?

his religion

did it destroy his ambition?

what he might have accomplished

his devotion to Lee

his opinion of Lee

Lee's opinion of Jackson

their military relations

Jackson's subordination to Lee

his insubordination to others

his relations to his own inferiors

his soldiers love him

with his officers some friction which Lee has to remove

their relations as to generalship

which deserves the glory?

especially at Chancellorsville

Lee's superiority in luminousness.

VII. LEE IN BATTLE

105

(12)

Amount of Lee's direction in actual conflict

how much had he of the soldier's passion for fighting?

quality of his courage

exposure to danger

was he unbalanced in great crises?

his heroic combativeness at Antietam

his bearing and manner in battle

picture of him after defeat

Lee and his soldiers in battle

triumph

failure, the surrender

Lee and Grant.

VIII. LEE AS A GENERAL

117

(18)

Difficulty of estimating greatness

especially military greatness

brief outline of Lee's military career

partial judgments in his favor

Southern enthusiasm

partial judgments against him

Badeau, Grant

impartial Northern judgment

recognition of Lee's difficulties

discussion of mistakes

but enthusiastic praise

foreign judgment

mistakes again

but high and discriminating commendation

verdict of expert member of U.S. general staff

summary of Lee's great qualities

organizing ability

boldness or rashness?

energy and rapidity

independence

knowledge of adversaries

his character even more important than his generalship.

IX. LEE'S SOCIAL AND DOMESTIC LIFE

135

(18)

Lee's manner in general society

his fondness for the society of women

his jesting and quiet fun

his courtesy and kindness in business intercourse

had he intimate friendships?

a letter of Johnston's

illustrative anecdotes

domestic relations

with his servants

with his children

advice and guidance

affection

generosity

playful enjoyment

Lee and his wife

always isolated

three social motives

with Lee only kindness, human fellowship

love of children

of animals

still always isolated

one friend only, God.

X. LEE'S SPIRITUAL LIFE

153

(18)

Lee's education

his style as a writer

shows little love for intellectual pursuits

little taste for aesthetic pleasures

mild enjoyment of nature

eminently practical

not cold, however, quick temper, well-controlled

his purity and general self-control

order and system

New England conscience

reserve of speech

sometimes misinterpreted

thoroughly democratic

had he ambition?

domesticity and religion

his religion not sectarian

not dogmatic

essentially humble

and largely practical

public worship

forgiveness and Christian spirit

missionary tendencies

prayer

Lee's indifference to its inconsistencies

personal relation to God

God the cardinal fact in his life.

XI. LEE AFTER THE WAR

171

(18)

Withdraws immediately into private life

attitude towards U.S. government

refuses to take part in politics

avoids war topics, but loves and is loved by old soldiers

his few recorded opinions on the war

avoids all publicity

affectionate relations with neighbors and family

refuses lucrative positions and accepts presidency of Washington College

his labors and aims as an educator

management of his faculty

discipline of students

as to conduct

as to scholarship

influence in college and through whole South

greatness in failure

value of this for all times and especially for twentieth century America.

APPENDIX

189

(12)

Psychography and its difficulties

partiality

from general prejudices

from the desire for rhetorical effect

from personal sympathy

from laziness

objective difficulties

difficulty of accuracy as to fact

actions

words written and reported

greater difficulty of deducing motive from action

still greater difficulty of generalizing motives into qualities of character

in spite of these difficulties character-study to be pursued for its fascination

also for its practical value

choice of great men as subjects

their common humanity

danger of psychography degenerating into gossip

remedy for this, love

Lee lovable

his influence and desirability of extending it.

TITLES OF BOOKS MOST FREQUENTLY CITED

201

(2)

NOTES

203

(22)

INDEX

225

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Lee the American

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