Lee Death of General Robert E. Lee

[CSA Today]

"Lexington, Va., Oct. 13, 1870 --"This community was plunged into profound sorrow upon the announcement of the death of Gen. Lee. There was a general suspension of the duties of Washington College, the Virginia Military Institute, and the minor schools, and they will not resume again until after the final interment of the great chieftain. Every business house in the community was closed, and crape affixed to the doors, and a general expression of deep grief was visible in every face. Washington College, the College Chapel, the Virginia Military Institute, and the Episcopal Church, of which Gen. Lee was a communicant, were draped in mourning a few hours after his death. Gen. Lee had been almost entirely unconscious since Monday night last, and he expired very peacefully and quietly at 9-1/2 o'clock Wednesday morning.. He was first taken sick on Wednesday evening, Sept. 28, while just about to set down to tea, when he suddenly sank in his chair insensible. A reaction soon followed, and in the course of the next ten days he steadily improved, until it was hoped that he was out of danger, but on Monday evening he became suddenly and rapidly worse, and continued to sink until Wednesday morning. During the early part of his sickness he slept much and spoke but little, but was rational when he awoke, and always recognized those who approached him. At times his mind seemed, for a little while, to wander, and on several occasions reverted to the army. He once ordered his tent to be struck, and at another time desired that Hill should be sent for. He suffered but comparatively little pain during his whole sickness."

 

[ErnieMac]

View attachment 49349At times his mind seemed, for a little while, to wander, and on several occasions reverted to the army. He once ordered his tent to be struck, and at another time desired that Hill should be sent for. He suffered but comparatively little pain during his whole sickness."

I've read recently that Lee's final words had been invented, that his physical condition as a result of the stroke would not have permitted him to speak. See this report written so shortly after his death makes me think it more likely that he did speak of Hill and striking the tent in his final hours.

 

[pamc153PA]

Well, keeping with the idea of the time period of "making a good death," people would expect to hear what his last words were, and they'd have to be something Civil War-related, of course . . . Even if he didn't voice them himself.

 

[glenhunter]

Thank you for sharing this post about a great man!



gh

 

[ErnieMac]

Well, keeping with the idea of the time period of "making a good death," people would expect to hear what his last words were, and they'd have to be something Civil War-related, of course . . . Even if he didn't voice them himself.

I can understand that thought, but if you were going to create something along those lines why not Jackson or Stuart who were a little higher in the hierarchy of Confederate heroes.

 

[War Horse]

View attachment 49349

"Lexington, Va., Oct. 13, 1870 --"This community was plunged into profound sorrow upon the announcement of the death of Gen. Lee. There was a general suspension of the duties of Washington College, the Virginia Military Institute, and the minor schools, and they will not resume again until after the final interment of the great chieftain. Every business house in the community was closed, and crape affixed to the doors, and a general expression of deep grief was visible in every face. Washington College, the College Chapel, the Virginia Military Institute, and the Episcopal Church, of which Gen. Lee was a communicant, were draped in mourning a few hours after his death. Gen. Lee had been almost entirely unconscious since Monday night last, and he expired very peacefully and quietly at 9-1/2 o'clock Wednesday morning.. He was first taken sick on Wednesday evening, Sept. 28, while just about to set down to tea, when he suddenly sank in his chair insensible. A reaction soon followed, and in the course of the next ten days he steadily improved, until it was hoped that he was out of danger, but on Monday evening he became suddenly and rapidly worse, and continued to sink until Wednesday morning. During the early part of his sickness he slept much and spoke but little, but was rational when he awoke, and always recognized those who approached him. At times his mind seemed, for a little while, to wander, and on several occasions reverted to the army. He once ordered his tent to be struck, and at another time desired that Hill should be sent for. He suffered but comparatively little pain during his whole sickness."

Yes, to many accounts offer the same statement. I believe it wasn't at the time of his death but was spoken a day to two prior to it. Thank you for sharing.

 

[Patrick H]

I'm almost always as impressed with the way these newspaper accounts were written, as with what they actually say. It's interesting that the article mentions "strike the tent" and "send for Hill" are mentioned. Notice that they are not given here as Lee's last words. Rather, as times when his mind wandered.

 

[pamc153PA]

I can understand that thought, but if you were going to create something along those lines why not Jackson or Stuart who were a little higher in the hierarchy of Confederate heroes.

Okay, so more of a mind-wandering death than a good one, but still.

 

[screnshaw]

If they were going to invent something, couldn't they come up with something better than 'Strike the tent'?

Something like, 'Let us pass over the rive.....' oh, wait. never mind.

 

[Rebforever]

Quite a few dying statements.

Jesse Reno
Union General
Date of Death: September 14, 1862
Age at Death: 39
Last Words:
"Hallo, Sam, I'm dead. . . .Yes, yes, I'm dead.
Tell the boys if I can't be with them in body I shall be with them in spirit."

 

[Rebforever]

John Reynolds
Date of Death: July 1, 1863
Age at Death: 42
Last Words:
"Forward! For God's sake, Forward!"

 

[diane]

Thanks for the post! I'm of the school of thought that suggests Lee didn't say anything - Freeman and others say he definitely did. My take is like Pam says - last words in those days were considered the summation of one's life, they were very important. Lee's saying, "Strike the tent!" was suitable for a military man and calling for Hill rather than someone else was lining him up with Stonewall Jackson. Lee and Jackson were the patron saints of the South! When a relation of mine was dying of a similar type of stroke, he made a lot of noises that sounded like words but they couldn't be made out well - I suspect that's what happened with Lee. Not that anyone fibbed, just that perhaps they heard what they needed to hear. Frankly, I believe something happened to him on the way home from a meeting at the church on raising money - they were a little short and dragging out the meeting, but Lee was hungry and supper was on the table at home! So he said, "I will give that sum." To me, those are the words that were fitting indeed.

 

[Patrick H]

The PBS program "Death and the Civil War" explained the point about a 'good' death in those days, and that a good death often included last words recorded by loved ones or comrades. I think that's actually quite a nice concept. It provides a bit of closure for the survivors to hear final instructions or wishes or words to be given to a loved one.

With that in mind, I just want to clarify that my earlier post wasn't meant to argue one way or the other about whether Lee said last words. I just found it interesting that the newspaper article didn't quote those statements as his last words. Rather, the article stated that at times his mind appeared to wander. When I read that, it seemed as if the newspaper was trying to protect all of us from the fact that Lee might have been delirious, confused--or even made senile by his illness. It was as if they were saying the great General would never have suffered those infirmities--only that his mind might perhaps have wandered. I thought it was a very nice and sensitive way to report on Lee's last days or moments.

 

[diane]

The PBS program "Death and the Civil War" explained the point about a 'good' death in those days, and that a good death often included last words recorded by loved ones or comrades. I think that's actually quite a nice concept. It provides a bit of closure for the survivors to hear final instructions or wishes or words to be given to a loved one.

With that in mind, I just want to clarify that my earlier post wasn't meant to argue one way or the other about whether Lee said last words. I just found it interesting that the newspaper article didn't quote those statements as his last words. Rather, the article stated that at times his mind appeared to wander. When I read that, it seemed as if the newspaper was trying to protect all of us from the fact that Lee might have been delirious, confused--or even made senile by his illness. It was as if they were saying the great General would never have suffered those infirmities--only that his mind might perhaps have wandered. I thought it was a very nice and sensitive way to report on Lee's last days or moments.

There was certainly a thought that great men, particularly generals, couldn't have anything unpleasantly wrong with them like the rest of us mere mortals. Grant didn't have any last words, either, but by the time he died that belief in a need for summation statements seemed to be fading away. Forrest, too, was wandering all around as well and his last words were quite clear and distinct, and also disappointing for the roomful of people present. "Call my wife." Not what you'd chisel on a monument! But he had increasingly come to rely on his wife as his health failed and wanted her with him at that moment - it's certainly an understandable thing for him to say.