The military genius of General Robert E Lee is conceded by all; but this does not account for the fact that his very enemies love the man. His private character is the origin of this sentiment. The soldier was great, but the man himself was greater. Those who knew him best loved him the most. The crowning grace of this man, who was thus not only great but good, was the humility and trust in God, which lay at the foundation of his character. He had lived, as he died, with this supreme trust in an overruling and merciful Providence. His faith and humble trust sustained him both through, and after the war. The writer of this biography attempts to present an accurate likeness of Lee, and to narrate clearly the incidents of his career, the aim of the author is to measure out full justice to all-not to arouse old enmities, which should be allowed to slumber, but to treat his subject with the judicial moderation of the student of history.
