Field Marshall Viscount Sir Garnet Wolseley On Lee

THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR: AN ENGLISH VIEW
Field Marshall Viscount Sir Garnet Wolseley

Before I delve into what the great Wolseley wrote about General Lee, let me first tell you about Sir Garnet Wolseley and establish with you his credibility both for greatness in his own right and as an individual who could recognize greatness in others from the lofty perch of his own character and accomplishments.

Let me begin by saying that Wolseley is generally given credit for the transformation of the British army from a gentleman's army to a modern fighting force. He was the one who prepared the Brits to play a key role in the winning of the First World War.

He was attracted to the military at an early age and followed in the footsteps of his military father. From the beginning he was destined for greatness. His first action was in the Crimean War where he was elevated to the rank of captain at age 21. Because of his youth there was opposition to his holding this rank. When he threatened resignation if the rank were taken away, his superior officers recognized greatness and allowed him to maintain the rank. Just three years later he became the youngest lieutenant colonel in the British army.

Wolseley served in India and China before being sent to Canada in 1861 to help plan for possible war against the Union forces of the United States after northern forces had illegally removed two Confederate diplomats from a British ship.This was the famous Trent Affair. He traveled in secret to Virginia to study the organization and effectiveness of the Confederate army since it was primarily a volunteer army. He spent much time with generals Lee, Jackson and Longstreet and was highly impressed by all three. It was Robert E. Lee, however, who most impressed Wolseley.

Based on this time with the Confederates he wrote "A Month's Visit to the Confederate Headquarters" which was published in Blackwood's magazine and is still well-known today.

Garnet Wolseley later served in Cyprus as the first high commissioner of that island after it came into the empire and as governor and commanding general in South Africa Natal Province. In 1880 he returned to England and was made adjutant general which gave him authority over military training. In 1882 he was sent to Egypt to quell a nationalist uprising where his brilliant tactics led to suppression of the revolt. To show the gratitude of the British government, Wolseley was made a baron and paid a reward of 30,000 pounds. In 1884 he was made viscount and in1894 was made field marshall. In 1895 he was promoted to commander-in-chief of the British army.

Viscount Wolseley also found time to author THE LIFE OF MARLBOROUGH, THE DECLINE AND FALL OF NAPOLEON and SOLDIERS POCKET BOOK FOR FIELD SERVICE, the bible of the British army.

This is only a brief portrait of the brilliant Wolseley - a man of great honor, accomplishment and intelligence. How would a man of his stature describe Robert E. Lee? Let me list just a few direct quotes from the pen of this great man:

" I desire to make known to the reader not only the renowned
soldier, whom I believe to have been the greatest of his age,
but to give some insight into the character of one whom I
have always considered the most perfect man I ever met."
Wolseley on Lee
========
" He was opposed to secession, and to prevent it he would
willingly sacrifice everything except honor and duty, which
forbid him to desert his State... Nothing would induce him
to have any part in the invasion of his own State, much as
he abhorred the war into which he felt she was rushing. His
love of country (Virginia), his unselfish patriotism, caused
him to relinquish home, fortune, a certain future, in fact
everything for her sake."
Wolseley on Lee turning down the offer
of command of the Union army to side
with Virginia and the Confederacy
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" He spoke bitterly of none - a remarkable fact, as at that
time men on both sides were wont to heap the most
violent terms of abuse upon their respective enemies."
Wolseley on the character and
Christian nature of Lee
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" Where else in history is a great man to be found whose
whole life was one such blameless record of duty nobly
done? ... The most perfect gentleman of a State long
celebrated for its chivalry, he was just, gentle, and
generous, and child-like in the simplicity of his
character."
Wolseley on the character of Lee
========
" I have met many of the great men of my time, but Lee
alone impressed me with the feeling that I was in the
presence of a man who was cast in a grander mould,
and made of different and of finer metal than all other
men. He is stamped upon my memory as a being apart
and superior to all others in every way: a man with whom
none I ever knew, and very few of whom I have read, are
worthy to be classed."
Wolseley on the greatness of Lee
========
" When all the angry feelings roused by Secession are
buried with those which existed when the Declaration of
Independence was written, when Americans can review
the history of their last great rebellion with calm impartiality,
I believe that all will admit that General Lee towered
far above all men on either side of that struggle: I believe
he will be regarded not only as the most prominent figure
of the Confederacy, but as the great American of the
nineteenth century, whose statue is well worthy to stand
on an equal pedestal with that of Washington, and whose
memory is worthy to be enshrined in the hearts of all his
countrymen."
Wolseley on Lee's rightful place in history
========

BOB HURST

Excerpt from a longer article on SHNV
========
Field Marshall Viscount Sir Garnet Wolseley On Lee