No other American has had such a tremendous popularity in the south as Robert E. Lee. Born into one of the best families of Virginia in 1807, nurtured from infancy in the strong traditions of loyalty to his family and his state, Lee was doomed from the beginning to the tragic role he played in the great Civil War. Who can say, had his conscience permitted him to stand by his country rather than by his state, what a different outcome there might have been in the bitter conflict, both for himself and the country.

Without doubt Lee was one of the greatest modern soilders. A younger son of an intimate friend of George Washington, "Light Horse Harry" Lee, a famous calvary officer in the Revolution, Robert E. Lee was born and bred in the military tradition.

Even as a boy, Lee showed the gracious and princely bearing which was to distinguish and dignify as a man. Tall, broadshoulderd, statley as a soilder and a soilder's son should be. Ever a diligent student, young Robert had ability amounting to his genius in his favorite subject-mathmatics.