His name and heroism gave hope to the Nation,
And his presence among the soldiers caused an ovation,
When the fatal shot was fired that struck the hero down,
The cause of Southern independence waned and gloom did abound;
The sad news of his wound gave to Lee alarm,
And he mournfully said, I have lost my right arm.
General Robert E. Lee, commander of the army of Northern Virginia, was in many respects superior to any military chieftain the world has ever produced. He was a patriot, statesman, scholar, military hero and consecrated christian gentleman. On one occasion a portion of the Southern army was facing the enemy in full view of the line of battle. Dark threatening clouds were near and pelting hailstones and fleaks of snow were beginning to fall. The soldiers were shivering with cold, obeying orders issued not to move from their position or build any fires. The general in a soft tender voice so characteristic of the man ordered the officers to allow the soldiers to build temporary shelters with pine brush to shelter them from the hail and snow and to build fires. In a very short time they were protected from the storm and fairly comfortable by the blazing fire prepared. He lead the grand army to victory in battles, and when at last overpowered by superior numbers he was obliged to surrender, he went down not in disgrace but glorious in defeat, and when history gives a true record comparing him with the greatest of military heroes his name will be emblazoned on the brightest page outshining them all.
In our country’s broad arena no generation ever will see
A military chieftain—an equal of the immortal Lee;
He could have commanded armies backed by wealth and display,