A Person I Admire
By Dixie Townsend
Nine Years Old
Rocky Mount Telegram
March 3, 2006
The person I admire is Robert E. Lee, the general of the
Confederate Army. He's my Dad's favorite person. Mr. Lee
was an excellent horseman. He, and his horse Traveller,
led the Confederate soldiers to fight against the Yankees.
His four daughters admired his courage, bravery and his
Southern accent. Later in life, Lee's hair turned white. His
beard was always trimmed neatly. He presented a commanding
appearance, straight, alert and intelligence. He was never known
to smoke, drink alcoholic beverages or use profane language.
General Lee was an American hero. Perhaps one day, I can be like him.
Fourth grade,
Tarboro-Edgecombe Academy,
Jamie Baker, teacher
By Dixie Townsend
Nine Years Old
Rocky Mount Telegram
March 3, 2006
The person I admire is Robert E. Lee, the general of the
Confederate Army. He's my Dad's favorite person. Mr. Lee
was an excellent horseman. He, and his horse Traveller,
led the Confederate soldiers to fight against the Yankees.
His four daughters admired his courage, bravery and his
Southern accent. Later in life, Lee's hair turned white. His
beard was always trimmed neatly. He presented a commanding
appearance, straight, alert and intelligence. He was never known
to smoke, drink alcoholic beverages or use profane language.
General Lee was an American hero. Perhaps one day, I can be like him.
Fourth grade,
Tarboro-Edgecombe Academy,
Jamie Baker, teacher
============================
Robert Edward Lee, in my estimation, was the
greatest man this nation has ever produced. He graduated from the United
States Military Academy without a single demerit, a feat that has been
unequaled to this day. He also was second in his class and achieved the
coveted cadet rank of Adjutant. He served over thirty years in the
United States Army and General Winfield Scott stated that Lee's exploit
before the Battle of Contreras in Mexico was "the greatest feat of
physical and moral courage" he had ever known. General Scott marked him
for high command and thought the cost would be cheap if the United
States could absolutely insure Lee's life at the cost of five million
dollars a year. He proclaimed that Lee "was the very best soldier I ever
saw in the field."
In 1856, as dark clouds loomed, Lee stated that "There are few, I believe, in this enlightened age, who will not acknowledge that slavery as an institution is a moral and political evil."
When war finally came General Scott offered him command of the Union Army, but Lee, after pacing the floor all night, decided he could not fight against his own people. Lee's final written words to General Scott were "Save in defense of my native state, I never desire again to draw my sword."
After leading the Army of Northern Virginia to many victories against overwhelming odds, he surrendered and asked his men to go home and be good citizens. A while later he was offered $50,000 for the use of his name by a northern insurance company, but Lee politely informed them "Sirs, my name is the heritage of my parents. It is all I have, and it is not for sale." He also stated that concerning his previous actions "I could have taken no other course without dishonor, and if it were all to be done over again, I should act in precisely the same manner."
In 1868, the New York Herald proposed nominating Lee for President, but Lee was by then President of Washington College where he had but one rule and that was "every man must be a gentleman."
Theodore Roosevelt characterized Lee as "the very greatest of all the great captains that the English-speaking peoples have brought forth." Winston Churchill stated that Lee was "one of the noblest Americans who ever lived."
In closing, I think the words of General/President Eisenhower would be appropriate concerning a question as to why he kept a picture of Lee in his office. He stated that Lee "was noble as a leader and as a man, and unsullied as I read the pages of our history......From deep conviction I simply say this: a nation of men of Lee's calibre would be unconquerable in spirit and soul."
Brock Townsend
In 1856, as dark clouds loomed, Lee stated that "There are few, I believe, in this enlightened age, who will not acknowledge that slavery as an institution is a moral and political evil."
When war finally came General Scott offered him command of the Union Army, but Lee, after pacing the floor all night, decided he could not fight against his own people. Lee's final written words to General Scott were "Save in defense of my native state, I never desire again to draw my sword."
After leading the Army of Northern Virginia to many victories against overwhelming odds, he surrendered and asked his men to go home and be good citizens. A while later he was offered $50,000 for the use of his name by a northern insurance company, but Lee politely informed them "Sirs, my name is the heritage of my parents. It is all I have, and it is not for sale." He also stated that concerning his previous actions "I could have taken no other course without dishonor, and if it were all to be done over again, I should act in precisely the same manner."
In 1868, the New York Herald proposed nominating Lee for President, but Lee was by then President of Washington College where he had but one rule and that was "every man must be a gentleman."
Theodore Roosevelt characterized Lee as "the very greatest of all the great captains that the English-speaking peoples have brought forth." Winston Churchill stated that Lee was "one of the noblest Americans who ever lived."
In closing, I think the words of General/President Eisenhower would be appropriate concerning a question as to why he kept a picture of Lee in his office. He stated that Lee "was noble as a leader and as a man, and unsullied as I read the pages of our history......From deep conviction I simply say this: a nation of men of Lee's calibre would be unconquerable in spirit and soul."
Brock Townsend
Dixieland
2007
"If any American father were asked which of our great men he would most want his own son to resemble, the father, if he were wise, would be compelled to answer, 'Robert E. Lee.'"
--Benjamin Andrews, President Brown University, 1880.
"If any American father were asked which of our great men he would most want his own son to resemble, the father, if he were wise, would be compelled to answer, 'Robert E. Lee.'"
--Benjamin Andrews, President Brown University, 1880.
" Raise up a child in the way they should go , and when they are old they will not depart from it ".I see no problem with the first female American President being a young lady of Asian / American ancestry . Good Job !.
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