Project Gutenberg's A Life of Gen. Robert E. Lee, by John Esten Cooke

This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net

Title: A Life of Gen. Robert E. Lee

Author: John Esten Cooke

Release Date: January 12, 2004 [EBook #10692]

Language: English

*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A LIFE OF GEN. ROBERT E. LEE ***

Produced by Dave Maddock, Josephine Paolucci and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team.

[Illustration]

A LIFE OF GEN. ROBERT E. LEE.

BY JOHN ESTEN COOKE.

  "Duty is the sublimest word in our language."
  "Human virtue should be equal to human calamity."

LEE.

1876

CONTENTS.

PART I.

LEE'S EARLY LIFE.

I.—Introduction

II.—The Lees of Virginia

III.—General "Light-Horse Harry" Lee

IV.—Stratford

V.—Lee's Early Manhood and Career in the United States Army

VI.—Lee and Scott

VII.—Lee resigns

VIII.—His Reception at Richmond

IX.—Lee in 1861

X.—The War begins

XI.—Lee's Advance into Western Virginia

XII.—Lee's Last Interview with Bishop Meade

PART II.

IN FRONT OF RICHMOND.

I.—Plan of the Federal Campaign

II.—Johnston is wounded

III.—Lee assigned to the Command—his Family at the White House

IV.—Lee resolves to attack

V.—Stuart's "Ride around McClellan"

PART III.

ON THE CHICKAHOMINY.

I.—The Two Armies

II.—Lee's Plan of Assault

III.—The Battle of the Chickahominy

IV.—The Retreat

V.—Richmond in Danger—Lee's Views

VI.—Lee and McClellan—their Identity of Opinion

PART IV.

THE WAR ADVANCES NORTHWARD.

I.—Lee's Protest

II.—Lee's Manoeuvres

III.—Lee advances from the Rapidan

IV.—Jackson flanks General Pope

V.—Lee follows

VI.—The Second Battle of Manassas

PART V.

LEE INVADES MARYLAND.

I.—His Designs

II.—Lee in Maryland

III.—Movements of the Two Armies

IV.—The Prelude to Sharpsburg

V.—The Battle of Sharpsburg

VI.—Lee and McClellan—their Merits in the Maryland Campaign

VII.—Lee and his Men

VIII.—Lee passes the Blue Ridge

IX.—Lee concentrates at Fredericksburg

X.—The Battle of Fredericksburg

XI.—Final Movements of 1862

XII.—The Year of Battles

XIII.—Lee in December, 1862

PART VI.

CHANCELLORSVILLE AND GETTYSBURG.

I.—Advance of General Hooker

II—The Wilderness

III.—Lee's Determination

IV.—Jackson's Attack and Fall

V.—The Battle of Chancellorsville

VI.—Flank Movement of General Sedgwick

VII.—Lee's Generalship and Personal Demeanor during the Campaign

VIII.—Personal Relations of Lee and Jackson

IX.—Circumstances leading to the Invasion of Pennsylvania

X.—Lee's Plans and Objects

XI.—The Cavalry-fight at Fleetwood

XII.—The March to Gettysburg

XIII.—Lee in Pennsylvania

XIV.—Concentration at Gettysburg

XV.—The First Day's Fight at Gettysburg

XVI.—The Two Armies in Position

XVII.—The Second Day

XVIII.—The Last Charge at Gettysburg

XIX.—Lee after the Charge

XX.—Lee's Retreat across the Potomac

XXI.—Across the Blue Ridge again

PART VII.

LAST CAMPAIGNS OF THE YEAR 1863.

I.—The Cavalry of Lee's Army

II.—Lee flanks General Meade

III.—A Race between Two Armies

IV.—The Fight at Buckland

V.—The Advance to Mine Run

VI.—Lee in the Autumn and Winter of 1863

PART VIII.

LEE'S LAST CAMPAIGNS AND LAST DAYS.

I.—General Grant crosses the Rapidan

II.—The First Collision in the Wilderness

III.—The Battle of the 6th of May

IV.—The 12th of May

V.—From Spottsylvania to the Chickahominy

VI.—First Battles at Petersburg

VII.—The Siege of Richmond begun

VIII.—Lee threatens Washington

IX.—The Mine Explosion

X.—End of the Campaign of 1864

XI.—Lee in the Winter of 1864-'65

XII.—The Situation at the Beginning of 1865

XIII.—Lee attacks the Federal Centre

XIV.—The Southern Lines broken

XV.—Lee evacuates Petersburg

XVI.—The Retreat and Surrender

XVII.—Lee returns to Richmond

XVIII.—General Lee after the War

XIX.—General Lee's Last Years and Death

APPENDIX.

I.—The Funeral of General Lee

II.—Tributes to General Lee

A LIFE

OF

GENERAL ROBERT EDWARD LEE.

PART I.

LEE'S EARLY LIFE,

I.

INTRODUCTION.

The name of Lee is beloved and respected throughout the world. Men of all parties and opinions unite in this sentiment, not only those who thought and fought with him, but those most violently opposed to his political views and career. It is natural that his own people should love and honor him as their great leader and defender in a struggle of intense bitterness—that his old enemies should share this profound regard and admiration is due