Ruth Hill

“ They also are my countrymen. General, there is a good old book which says, "Love your enemies." What a cruel thing is war; to separate and destroy families and friends, and mar the purest joys and happiness God has granted us in this world; to fill our hearts with hatred instead of love for our neighbors and to devastate the fair face of the beautiful world.
STARKE—But think of our men who have laid down their lives so bravely.
LEE—The loss of our gallant officers and men throughout the army causes me to weep tears of [48] blood and to wish that I might never hear the sound of a gun again. ”

“ Finally with all supplies cut off, General Lee saw all further fighting was useless, and he accepted arrangements for surrender. One of his officers told him that history would blame him for surrendering. He replied that it did not matter if he knew it was right.
So at the courthouse at Appomattox, Lee proved himself as great as ever he had been in victory. It is easy enough to be great in the midst of victory, but the truly great man is the one who remains great in spite of defeat. That is the test. ”

“ Even as poor a soldier as I am can generally discover mistakes after it is all over. But if I could only induce these wise gentlemen, who see [46] them so clearly beforehand, to communicate with me in advance, instead of waiting till the evil has come upon us—to let me know what they knew all the time—it would be far better for my reputation, and, what is of more consequence, far better for the cause.
HILL—Don't let those waspish editors annoy you. The South is behind you to a man. They know what General Lee cannot accomplish, no man can. ”

“ You know what sort of country that is, how easy it is for Mexicans to hide in the mountains, and how hard it is for Americans to find them.
So successful was Lee as a scout, however, that first he was made major, then lieutenant-colonel, and finally colonel, all in one year. General Scott declared years afterward that Lee was the very best soldier he had ever seen.
Early in the war, he started out with a single Mexican guide whom he forced to serve at the point of a pistol. The Americans had received a report that the Mexicans had crossed the mountains and were near, ready to attack. ”

“ Judge Brockenborough, Trustee of Washington College
PAT— (Bursting through door with a huge basket of provisions, salutes.) Sure, sir, you're a great soldier and it's I that knows it. I've been fighting against you all these years, and many a hard knock we've had. But, General, I honor you for it, and now they tell me you are poor and in want, and I've brought you this basket. Please take it from a soldier.
LEE—I thank you comrade, but I'm glad to tell you I am not in need. But there are plenty of poor fellows over at the hospital who would be only too glad to get food from so generous a foe. ”

“ BROWN—But, General, you will not be expected to do any work, what we wish is the use of your name.
LEE—My name is not for sale. I thank you, sir. Good morning. (Exit BROWN. Enter Judge Brockenborough.)
GEN. LEE—Good morning, Judge, what a pleasure to see an old friend!
JUDGE—Good morning, General, I should [58] not have dared to call on so busy a man if I did not have a special mission. I have come to offer you the presidency of Washington College, at a salary of $1,500 a year. I am sorry we can offer no more, but the war has left the college in a wretched condition. ”

“ No doubt little Robert got in and out of as many scrapes as any other active little boy, but all the time he was hard at work learning to control his temper. I started to say he was learning to be a gentleman, but that was something he did not have to learn. A gentleman he was by nature, as the Lees of Virginia had been for generations.
He did not have a very happy boyhood. His [10] father died when Robert was only eleven. His mother was an invalid and Robert was the one who did all the thoughtful little things that mean so much when one is sick. ”

“ Now, General, we five men have got about two hundred and fifty acres of land in Roanoke—very good land, too, it is, sir—and if you'll come up there and live, I've come to offer you our land, all of it and we five men will work as your field hands, and you'll have very little trouble in managing it with us to help you. ”

“ PAT—Just as you say, sir, but if ever you are in need just let Pat Murphy know, that's all. (Exit.)
(Enter MRS. JACKSON.)
LEE—How do you do, Mrs. Jackson.
MRS. JACKSON—Good morning General, and how are all the family? [54]
LEE—We are all as usual, the women of the family very fierce and the men very mild.
MRS. JACKSON—I think every woman of the South is fierce now. I am bringing up all my sons to hate the Yankees.
LEE—Madam, don't bring up your sons to detest the United States Government. Recollect that we form one country now. Abandon all this local hatred and make your sons Americans. ”

“ Even their captain said his men were fighters, not moles. Lee simply showed his orders and made them keep on. When the firing began, the marines found their trenches very useful. The captain apologized to Lee saying, "I suppose after all, your work helped the boys a good deal. But the fact is, I never did like this land fighting—it ain't clean."
After the fall of Mexico when the American officers were celebrating with a banquet in the palace, a health was proposed to the gallant young captain of engineers who had found a way for the army into the city. ”

“ BUD—Don't judge everybody by yourself. Rob always does everything for himself and a lot of things for other people, and you know it, unless your head's too fat.
SLATS—Well, aren't you going to ask her Rob? ”