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Lee the Soldier
A collection of writings by and about Lee examines his leadership ability, commenting on specific campaigns
648 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
About the author
Gary W. Gallagher
111 books99 followersGary W. Gallagher, the John L. Nau III Professor of History at the University of Virginia, is the author or editor of many books in the field of Civil War history, including The Confederate War; Causes Won, Lost, and Forgotten: How Hollywood and Popular Art Shape What We Know about the Civil War; and The Union War.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 22, 2016
Robert E. Lee is an historical paradox, (or an enigma, take your pick), to me. A lifelong member of the U.S. military including being a West Point Graduate and later its superintendent, Lee resigned from the army to join the Confederacy soon after his home state of Virginia seceded. By all descriptions Lee was a courteous restrained gentleman except when caught up in the heat of battle, most notably when he was escorted from the field – several times – during the Overland Campaign of 1864 and when he ordered Pickett’s Charge on the third day of Gettysburg. Considered a brilliant military strategist by many historians Lee fought tactically – again at times brilliantly - with a level of battle casualties that he knew the Confederacy couldn’t afford or sustain in the long term. When he lost the initiative to Grant early on in The Wilderness he continued to fight against all odds until he had no choice but to surrender almost a year later at Appomattox. Upon his surrender he made it explicitly clear to both his generals and troops the war was over for him and them. There was to be no guerilla warfare and all should return to civilian life – an order he was uniquely qualified to give.
Being one of the top military commanders in American history it is difficult not to come to the conclusion that he did more to prolong the Civil War than any other individual - soldier or civilian. Which begs the question to what end was he fighting for – a separate country? The continuation of slavery? - A difficult reconciliation to make.
That being said I read this book hoping that it would shed some light on my dilemma. Unfortunately that didn’t happen. Mr. Gallagher has edited a series of books, (ranging from excellent to so-so), on the Civil War – specifically concerning its battles and leaders – most of which are a collection of essays on said topics. Lee The Soldier follows the same format presenting both sides of the paradox I outlined above – Lee’s resignation from the US Army, Antietam and the Lost Orders 191, Gettysburg and JEB Stuart, Lee’s defensive strategy using offensive tactics, General Ewell’s recalcitrance to follow Lee’s orders to attack at Gettysburg and the Spotsylvania Court House, his differences with Longstreet and Lee’s life as a civilian post-Civil War – with chapters written by leading historians as well as by men who served with Lee, i.e. Jubal Early and James Longstreet.
This isn’t a bad book by any means; there just wasn’t anything new in it for me.
Understanding Lee as a brilliant Confederate general in the context of US history was summed up best by noted historian Shelby Foote who wrote, "Gettysburg was the price the South paid for having Robert E. Lee as commander.” Unfortunately this book didn’t help me in the further understanding of that paradox.
Being one of the top military commanders in American history it is difficult not to come to the conclusion that he did more to prolong the Civil War than any other individual - soldier or civilian. Which begs the question to what end was he fighting for – a separate country? The continuation of slavery? - A difficult reconciliation to make.
That being said I read this book hoping that it would shed some light on my dilemma. Unfortunately that didn’t happen. Mr. Gallagher has edited a series of books, (ranging from excellent to so-so), on the Civil War – specifically concerning its battles and leaders – most of which are a collection of essays on said topics. Lee The Soldier follows the same format presenting both sides of the paradox I outlined above – Lee’s resignation from the US Army, Antietam and the Lost Orders 191, Gettysburg and JEB Stuart, Lee’s defensive strategy using offensive tactics, General Ewell’s recalcitrance to follow Lee’s orders to attack at Gettysburg and the Spotsylvania Court House, his differences with Longstreet and Lee’s life as a civilian post-Civil War – with chapters written by leading historians as well as by men who served with Lee, i.e. Jubal Early and James Longstreet.
This isn’t a bad book by any means; there just wasn’t anything new in it for me.
Understanding Lee as a brilliant Confederate general in the context of US history was summed up best by noted historian Shelby Foote who wrote, "Gettysburg was the price the South paid for having Robert E. Lee as commander.” Unfortunately this book didn’t help me in the further understanding of that paradox.
November 22, 2015
The book began before the start of the Civil War when General Lee was thought to be the perfect commander for the Union. Lee had other ideas and resigned from the army the next day. Lee was an intelligent man and knew that the Southern secession was foolish, that upcoming war was wrong and he hated slavery. Lee believed slavery to be morally and political evil. Lee even went as far as saying if he owned every slave in the south he would give them all up to preserve the Union. He fought against the North because the North was taking away the South's dearest rights.
As an intelligent man Lee knew how difficult it would be to supply the South's militia, volunteer forces and army. West Point provided many generals on both sides of the war . Lee had some of the best West Point graduates on his side and gave those men huge responsibilities. Lee's men were his greatest concern and it showed - his men loved him. A criticism of Lee was his ability to read his soliders and generals weakness and strengths to weld them into an efficient instrument of command. Another complaint of Lee was also of his obsession with his home state Virginia. Lee surrounded himself with Virginian soliders and believed his alliance was to Virginia first.
The South was at a disadvantage throughout the entire war - it had to be invaded and conquered for the Union to assert itself. The North produced more, had more railway to move troops and supplies and of course more men and money. Lee also had to contend with the Confederacy. Many Southern governors withheld large numbers of men for their own state instead of letting them fight for the Confederate Army. President Jefferson Davis also was responsible for the general strategy of the war - another West Point graduate. Lee's hands were often tied and may have never had true power over the army because of Davis. Lee was beloved by the Southern people and the South loved him for his efforts for the Confederacy. Lee was also greatly respected by the Northern generals and was treated in the upmost respect and admiration from General Grant and the rest of the Northern army.
As an intelligent man Lee knew how difficult it would be to supply the South's militia, volunteer forces and army. West Point provided many generals on both sides of the war . Lee had some of the best West Point graduates on his side and gave those men huge responsibilities. Lee's men were his greatest concern and it showed - his men loved him. A criticism of Lee was his ability to read his soliders and generals weakness and strengths to weld them into an efficient instrument of command. Another complaint of Lee was also of his obsession with his home state Virginia. Lee surrounded himself with Virginian soliders and believed his alliance was to Virginia first.
The South was at a disadvantage throughout the entire war - it had to be invaded and conquered for the Union to assert itself. The North produced more, had more railway to move troops and supplies and of course more men and money. Lee also had to contend with the Confederacy. Many Southern governors withheld large numbers of men for their own state instead of letting them fight for the Confederate Army. President Jefferson Davis also was responsible for the general strategy of the war - another West Point graduate. Lee's hands were often tied and may have never had true power over the army because of Davis. Lee was beloved by the Southern people and the South loved him for his efforts for the Confederacy. Lee was also greatly respected by the Northern generals and was treated in the upmost respect and admiration from General Grant and the rest of the Northern army.
March 15, 2008
This type of book is not my cup of tea, but I bought it on a whim for a dollar because I hoped it would talk about Robert E. Lee as a man. This is a collection of essays by various prominent scholars with diverse and divergent opinions. The first section talks about Lee the man and general, and the last section talks about his campaigns.
The first section was very informative and somewhat interesting. I garnered a lot of information about the Civil War that was new to me. (I am not well read on the Civil War.) It was not the clear cut good/bad that I've heard from both sides of the debate. Lee is truly to be admired in many aspects, and his weaknesses were thoroughly explored from a variety of perspectives. I was surprised to read well formulated arguments supportive and critical of various aspects of General Lee as a man and a general.
The last section on the campaigns I skimmed. Not that interesting to myself on the whole as my purpose in buying the book was to learn about Lee the man, and not as much about the campaigns.
Those who are interested in the Civil War might rate this book much higher. My rating is so-so since, as I mentioned at first, this type of book just doesn't catch my fancy.
The first section was very informative and somewhat interesting. I garnered a lot of information about the Civil War that was new to me. (I am not well read on the Civil War.) It was not the clear cut good/bad that I've heard from both sides of the debate. Lee is truly to be admired in many aspects, and his weaknesses were thoroughly explored from a variety of perspectives. I was surprised to read well formulated arguments supportive and critical of various aspects of General Lee as a man and a general.
The last section on the campaigns I skimmed. Not that interesting to myself on the whole as my purpose in buying the book was to learn about Lee the man, and not as much about the campaigns.
Those who are interested in the Civil War might rate this book much higher. My rating is so-so since, as I mentioned at first, this type of book just doesn't catch my fancy.
December 19, 2008
You can't hope to understand the U.S. Civil War without coming to some kind of an understanding of Robert E. Lee. The South's preeminent commander was a larger-than-life figure in his own time, and continues to occupy a very prominent place in the American imagination. He is seen as the personification of the Southern aristocrat, the Christian gentleman, and the brilliant military commander. To some extent, all those characterizations are true; but they hardly tell the full story. The essays in this volume serve as a fine introduction to the ongoing debate about the true meaning of Robert E. Lee to us as Americans. Contributors like Douglas S. Freeman portray him as a godlike, awesome figure; revisionists like Alan T. Nolan brilliantly reexamine the traditional view, suggesting that Lee had flaws, both as a man and a commander. The most recent essays, such as Gary Gallagher's contribution, suggest that although the revisionists are to some extent correct, Lee was nevertheless a source of strength, not weakness, to the Confederacy. The debate will doubtless continue to rage, and if you want to get brought up to speed, this is the place to start.
October 26, 2014
This is a collection of essays about the life of Robert E. Lee, many written by his contemporaries. While almost everyone recognizes Lee as a military leader and much has been written about that period, after the Civil War he was president of Washington University until his death.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews