"The Last Gentle Knight"

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"Do Your Duty in All Things...You Cannot Do More; You Should Never Wish to Do Less."

Robert E. Lee's Home - Arlington House

The Custis - Lee Home

(National Park Service Photo)

Quotations from Robert E. Lee

On the subject of Slavery:

"(The War was)...so far (removed) from engaging in a war to perpetuate Slavery...I am rejoiced that Slavery is Abolished"

On the South in the War

"All that the South has ever desired was that the Union - as established by our forefathers - should be preserved, and that the government - as originally organized - should be administered in Purity and Truth."

On turning down the Command of the Union Army and Joining the Confederacy

"I did only what my duty demanded. I could have taken no other course without dishonor. And if it all were to be done over again. I should act in precisely the same manner.

On The War Between the States

"It was an unnecessary condition of affairs, and might have been avoided if forbearance and wisdom had been practiced on both sides."

On the Constitution

"I trust that the Constitution may undergo no change, but that it may be handed down to succeeding generations in the form we received it from our forefathers.

On States Rights

"I consider it as the chief source of stability to our present system; whereas the consolidation of the states into one vast republic, sure to be aggressive abroad and despotic at home, will be the certain precursor of that ruin which has overwhelmed all those that have preceded it."

"But 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 this beautiful world."

On History and The South

"The reputation of individuals is of minor importance (compared) to the opinion posterity may form of the motives which governed the people of the South in their late struggle for the maintenance of the principles of the Constitution. I hope, therefore, a true history will be written, and justice done them."

"I can only say that I am nothing but a poor sinner,

trusting in Christ alone for salvation."

"There is True Glory and True Honor,

the Glory of Duty Done and the Honor of Integrity and Principles."

19 January 1807 - 12 October 1870

(Above Lee's Marble recumbent statue carved larger than life; Washington College, Va)

Photo public domain Washington College

We Honor Ourselves When We Honor Our Heritage

Over the years it has become increasingly difficult for the descendants of Confederate Families to celebrate their heritage or to honor the sacrifice of their relatives.

It is important that every culture hold onto their heroes, their traditions, and their memories of the past. When we honor our fallen relatives we honor ourselves.

All people's of the South have due pride in their family history; regardless of race or creed or color...this is part of the Southern Tradition in every household; and this is how it should be.

We should work to insure avenues of Peace among all cultures in the South which allow for the Equal Rights of Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Expression, and the Freedom to celebrate diverse historic family cultures, our separate family heritage and our common Southern Citizenship, once bonded to one another through a Confederation of Thirteen States; which sought for the most part to protect and preserve the

Sovereignty of States Rights and Individual guarantees under the Constitution; as it was presented to them when those States willingly joined The Union of American States.

A Constitution that indeed should have been Amended; but never taken away from; A Constitution that did not in itself recognize the legitimate status of Slavery; but stated in its foundational ideas the Rights of Man of all Race, Creeds, and Colors; Free and Equal Men empowered by God, The Grand Master of the Universe, Men opposed to Despotism and Kings, formed in Devine Trust without a National Religion; established with the Right to Bear Arms; and the Responsibility to Oppose any National Breech of Faith.

We are now bonded together as Americans; unique in the history of the world working together to preserve our Constitution; its mandates; and our heritage which should instruct us on the true meaning of our Pledge of Allegiance...An Allegiance to One Flag, One God, One Nation;

Indivisible, with the promise of Liberty and Justice for All...

Let us look to our past to remind us of the precious price of being Americans without losing sight of our integrity, honor and principles.

Robert E. Lee's Request for Clemency & Citizenship

and Lee's Pledge of Allegiance were Accepted

By President Gerald R. Ford

more than 100 years after it was submitted

The Conquered Banner

A stanza from the poem

written by - Father Abram Joseph Ryan

Confederate Chaplain 1865

To Our Southern Family...

Price, James, Moore, Russell, Enochs, Williams, Lusk, Steen, McDaniel, Austin, Choate, Brazell, Mizzell, Bradley, Cunningham

A Confederate Brotherhood

Who Served and Sometimes

Died on distant Fields

of Honor and Sacrifice

Defiant Enduring Prisoners of War

Declared Missing in Action

Gone But Never Forgotten

Patriotic, Loyal, and Persevering

Fathers, Sons, and Brothers in Arms

Alabama * Tennessee * Mississippi * Missouri * Georgia * Texas

(1) TOP PAGE PHOTOS: Left to Right: Robert E. Lee Statue Commissioned by the State of Virginia, Matthew Brady Photo; Lee after the War, Lee; Library of Congress Photo; all photos public domain sources

Visit our 'other' World War II Website:

Stepping Stone to Victory

Torii Beach; Sobe Okinawa - Yomitan Pennisula