"Alexander the Great, when he conquered a world, never got the tribute which Lee is receiving from those men. There's not one in their ranks who wouldn't die for him."
Louder and louder rolled the cheers mingled now with the pet name his soldiers loved.
"Marse Robert! Marse Robert!"
Alexander's eyes flashed.
"The hour of his surrender, the supreme triumph of his life."
Lee rode slowly into view on Traveler's gray back. The men were crowding close. They cried softly. They touched his saddle, his horse and tried to reach his hands.
He lifted his right arm over their heads and they were still.
"My heart's too full for speech, my men. I have done for you all that was in my power. You have done your duty. We leave the rest to God. Go quietly to your homes now and work to build up our ruined country. Obey the laws and be as good citizens as you have been soldiers. I'm going to try to do this. Will you help me?"
"That we will!"
"Yes."