The Character of Lee
by John Williams Jones
He possessed every virtue of the great commanders, without their vices. He was a foe
without hate; a friend without treachery; a
private citizen without wrong; a neighbor
without reproach; a Christian without hypocrisy, and a man without guilt.
He was a Caesar without his ambition; a
Frederick without his tyranny; a Napoleon
without his selfishness; and a Washington
without his reward.
He was obedient to authority as a servant,
and loyal in authority as a true king.
He was gentle as a woman in life; modest
and pure as a virgin in thought; watchful as a
Roman vestal in duty; submissive to law as
Socrates, and grand in battle as Achilles.
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