Mas' Robert

[revwardoc]

October 12, 1870, General Robert E. Lee died in Lexington, Virginia, at age 63.

[Tamaroa]

A Fine man, he was too. As great a soldier that he was, In my opinion, the remaining 5 years of his life at Lexington truly defined him. He worked hard to educate the young men of Washington college and heal the country's wounds.

Bill

[Jerry D]

to Marse Robert and his descendants for the service rendered to his Country. In all the Wars he served in, against enemies both foreign and domestic .I read today also that Washington and Lee university's Fight Song made the Top Ten Collegiate Fight Songs along with Army and Navy

If only he had remembered his Hat when he walked home and got caught in the rain and caught his death of Pneumonia. Maybe he would have lived long enough to secure his citizenship before he Died. It took a great President like Gerald Ford to return it in the late 70's. please remember to join in celebrating the Bicentennial of his Birth next Jan 19th 2007. Whether one was a Union or Confederate you had to respect a General as Great as General Lee

the following are from Newspapers after Robert E Lee's Death:

Richmond in Mourning--Message of Gov. Walker to the Virginia Legislature--The General's Remains to be Buried by the State--

Richmond, Oct. 13--Richmond presents today a scene of mourning hardly witnessed in this generation. The stores and public buildings are all closed. The bells in all parts of the city are tolling. On many doors are pictures and photographs of Gen. Lee, draped in crape, with evergreen. The citizens are standing in groups on the principal thoroughfares and talking in subdued tones of the sad event. The feeling that he ought to be buried here, at the State's expense, is universal, and the Legislature, in making this request of his family, reiterated the public desire. The City Council met this afternoon, at the call of the Mayor. Gov. Walker sent the following Message to the General Assembly:

"It is with unaffected grief that I announce to you the painful intelligence of the death of Gen. Robert E. Lee at Lexington, yesterday morning. He died as he had lived, a noble example of the sublime principles and teachings of the Christian religion. He goes down to the tomb amid the lamentations of an affectionate and sorrowing people. Of exalted public and private virtue in his life and career, he filled up the full measure of our conception of a man. A stricken family, a bereaved State and an afflicted people bow with reverence and humility before this visitation of Divine Providence. It is fitting that you, the representatives of the people, should take such appropriate action as the melancholy occasion suggests, and I believe you would but give expression to the universal desire of the people should you solicit the interment of the remains upon the grounds owned by the State of Hollywood Cemetery, where hereafter they may raise a monumental shaft commemorative alike of their sincere and lasting affection for the man and their profound appreciation of his greatness and goodness."

After the reading of Gov. Walker's message, a joint resolution was unanimously passed expressive of the deep sorrow of both Houses at the sad event, and requesting that the body be turned over to the State for interment at Hollywood Cemetery, near this city. A joint committee, consisting of five members of the House and two of the Senate, and their presiding officers, was appointed to go to Lexington and escort the remains here, if the request be granted.

The Tobacco Association met today, and suspended its session for the day as a mark of respect to the memory of Gen. Lee. The City Council also met, and adopted a series of appropriate resolutions, and appointed a committee to act in concert with the Legislative Committee to ask that, in deference to the wishes of our people, that the remains be brought to Richmond for interment. The Committee will leave for Lexington tomorrow morning. The flags of the shipping and all public buildings, except the Custom-house, were at half-mast. All places of amusement were closed tonight, and general quiet and gloom pervades the city. He will be buried on Saturday, Oct. 15, at 12 o'clock. The place selected for his interment is a vault beneath the College chapel, which stands in the midst of the College grounds. This was the first building he had erected after his removal to Lexington, having declared that it was proper that the first thing the College did should be to dedicate a house to the services of religion. Here he will rest, surrounded by the monuments of his latter years. The corpse was removed today from his residence to the chapel, where it will lie in state until midday on Saturday next. Today the Faculty of Washington College, the Faculty of Virginia Military Institute and the students of Washington College held meetings, and passed appropriate resolutions of condolence and respect to the illustrious deceased, who asserted at the surrender of Appomattox Court-house that "human virtue should be equal to human calamity."

Washington, Oct. 13--The following was received today, by Secretary Boutwell, from Collector Robb, of Savannah, Ga., dated today:

"I have just this moment learned that the flag on the Custom-house was at half-mast for the death of Gen. Lee. It was ordered by my deputies without my knowledge. I have ordered the flag at full mast. Much public feeling is manifested at my action. Shall the flag be lowered again? Answer immediately."

In response to the above, Secretary Boutwell has telegraphed to Mr. Robb approving his action.

Memphis, Oct. 13--The news of the death of Gen. Lee causes profound sorrow here. The bells will be tolled today, and some public expression of sorrow of the citizens will be made.

Wilmington, N. C., Oct. 13--The intelligence of Gen. Lee's death created a profound sensation in this community, and calls vividly to mind many associations connected with his visit here in April last. Today, flags on the shipping were generally at half-mast, also on the British and Danish Consulate. The annual meeting of the Chamber of Commerce adjourned today, out of respect to the memory of the dead hero, and they appointed a Committee to make arrangements for the suspension of business and the tolling of bells on the day of the funeral, and for a public meeting of the citizens to take suitable action in the matter. The universal feeling among all classes and parties here is that a great and good man has fallen.

New Orleans, Oct. 13--The death of Gen. Lee casts a gloom over this community. The morning papers are dressed in mourning, and flags on the shipping, both foreign and domestic, are displayed at half-mast, and many are draped in mourning. The Board of Brokers adjourned last evening out of respect to Gen. Lee, and Judge Dibble this morning adjourned the Eighth District Court as a tribute of respect to the deceased. In the course of his remarks, Judge Dibble said that his purpose was to honor a heroic and honorable citizen, who, by his bearing, had won the admiration and affection of every heart in the land. The motion to adjourn was made by John H. New, who delivered a touching tribute to his memory. The following card has been signed by many of the most prominent merchants and business firms in the city: "We, the undersigned merchants, suggest to our fellow-citizens that all business be suspended tomorrow, (Friday,) out of respect to the memory of Gen. R. E. Lee."

Selma, Ala., Oct. 13--The city has been in mourning all day in honor of Gen. Lee. All business houses are closed. The church bells tolled, and a public address was delivered at the Opera-house to a great crowd, by Gen. John T. Morgan. The grief of the people is deep and universal.

Atlanta, Ga., Oct. 13--Both houses of the Legislature have adopted a resolution to adjourn tomorrow, until Monday, to attend the obsequies, on Saturday, of Gen. Lee. The citizens are arranging for imposing ceremonies. Gen. John B. Gordon is expected to deliver a eulogy.

Grief at Washington College--The General's Last Sickness and Death

Lexington, Va., Oct. 13--This community was plunged into profound sorrow upon the announcement of the death of Gen. Lee. There was a general suspension of the duties of Washington College, the Virginia Military Institute, and the minor schools, and they will not resume again until after the final interment of the great chieftain. Every business house in the community was closed, and crape affixed to the doors, and a general expression of deep grief was visible in every face. Washington College, the College Chapel, the Virginia Military Institute, and the Episcopal Church, of which Gen. Lee was a communicant, were draped in mourning a few hours after his death. Gen. Lee had been almost entirely unconscious since Monday night last, and he expired very peacefully and quietly at 9-1/2 o'clock Wednesday morning.. He was first taken sick on Wednesday evening, Sept. 28, while just about to set down to tea, when he suddenly sank in his chair insensible. A reaction soon followed, and in the course of the next ten days he steadily improved, until it was hoped that he was out of danger, but on Monday evening he became suddenly and rapidly worse, and continued to sink until Wednesday morning. During the early part of his sickness he slept much and spoke but little, but was rational when he awoke, and always recognized those who approached him. At times his mind seemed, for a little while, to wander, and on several occasions reverted to the army. He once ordered his tent to be struck, and at another time desired that Hill should be sent for. He suffered but comparatively little pain during his whole sickness.