The Mysterious Mr. Lee

They Mysterious Mr. Lee

Suzanne Marsh

Professor Kent McMaster glanced around the classroom. He sighed, he was lecturing on General Robert E. Lee today. He had done a great deal of research for this lecture. He thought how statues were being desecrated, torn down, schools renamed. General Lee appeared to be a main target, of the unrest that plagued the country in 2020.

“Today's topic is General Robert Edward Lee, CSA, a man of his time.

Lee, was first and foremost a Virginian, who chose his state over the United States.

I want to give you a little background on General Robert E. Lee.

He began his military career when at the age of eighteen he entered the US Military

at West Point. He placed second in his class, without any demerits. He graduated and

became an engineer. His first major fight was was in the Mexican War, he invaded Vera Cruz.

He was then was promoted to second in command of the 2^nd Calvary Regiment which meant

that he was the officer, responsible for commanding in combat. He served there with quite a

few others that went on to become Generals, for the union as well as the confederacy. Names

like Longstreet, Pickett and US Grant. In 1859 he laid siege at Harper's Ferry. When the war

broke out President Abraham Lincoln asked him to lead the union army. Lee, was a man of

principle, he felt he had a higher duty to Virginia. He resigned his Commission from the

Union Army. He offered his assistance to President Jefferson Davis. He advised Davis until

General “Fightin Joe” Johnston was wounded in the arm during the Seven Day's battle. Davis

gave command to Lee of the Army of Northern Virginia on June 1^st, 1862. In August of 1862

Lee won a crucial victory for the Confederacy at Second Manassas. He continued to be

victorious until he decided to do as General “Stonewall Jackson” had suggested; invade

the North. The Army of Northern Virginia carved a path of destruction through Baltimore on

to a small Pennsylvania town called Gettysburg. Here Lee fought, it was a huge mistake on

his part. Longstreet argued with him stating the: “this is not ground of our choosing.”

Longstreet was correct, Lee became stubborn: “if we stay we fight.” Lee lost quite a few

men at Gettysburg, men he could not afford to replace. Gettysburg, people, was the high water

mark of the Confederacy. Now before we get into any further discussion, are there any

questions, if not I have an appointment that I have scheduled.”

Just as in any classroom, everyone was ready to leave. Kent McMaster, headed for his office. He

received a written note earlier in the day from Anna Lee. He wondered why, she was an outstanding student, and a history major. His lecture he thought went rather well, it gave them pause to consider

all the turmoil over Lee's statues. Anna, was right on time. He heard the knock on his office door:

“Come” Anna, came in; he motioned for her to take a seat.

“Anna, I am puzzled, your an outstanding student. What can I do to help you?”

Anna shifted in her seat, she felt foolish asking:

“Professor McMaster, I have heard the rumors about your time traveling, I would like to

meet General Robert E. Lee and bring him here to our class. I am a direct descendent of his.

I have tried to stop his statutes and plaques from being removed. I hoped that if we prevailed

upon him, maybe he would want to clear his name.”

Kent, sat there thinking about what she had just proposed.

“Anna, what makes you think he would return with us. His army has just fought at

Gettysburg and lost.”

“It feels right.”

That was not quite the answer that Kent thought but a valid point.

“Anna, I have been to Gettysburg; we have to leave now, this very moment, if we want to

find General Lee.”

Kent grabbed the large blue stone that sat on his oak desk. They tumbled through time returning once again to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The bodies had all been buried before they arrived. Once again they headed for the Gettysburg Emporium to purchase clothes. Then they began to trace the Army of Northern Virginia. Renting a car they proceeded toward Maryland, over South Mountain

through Boonsborough to Martinsburg. Once they arrived in Martinsburg, they changed clothes. Kent cussed the pants he purchased, they tied in the back. Anna, muttered about the corset; she had no idea how to put in on; it required someone to pull the laces through. She came out of the bathroom with her pantelettes and camisole on and the corset in her hand. Kent could not help but chuckle.

“Professor how does this thing a mabob work? I know it goes on front to back. Could

you possibly pull the strings, so I can finish dressing. You know, I don't think I would

have wanted to be a lady in the eighteenth century.”

“Anna, that thing you are protesting about is a corset. It was used to make your waist

small, I believe it was supposed to be seventeen inches.”

Anna rolled her eyes and headed back to the bathroom. If they had to get rooms for the night she was ready to stay. She had to convince Lee to return with them to repair the damage that was being done.

Once she finally was dressed, they borrowed two horses for the encampment outside of Martinsburg.

They approached the encampment; sentries were posted. They saw under a crab apple tree, a distinguished gray haired gentleman sitting there. Kent pointed out: “there is Robert E. Lee”.

Anna felt a shiver go down her spine. They asked to speak with the General. The sentries knew better but when Anna turned on the charm; it was very difficult to say no. The sentry pointed to where General Lee was seated. Kent and Anna walked over; Lee motioned them to sit.

“What can I do for ya'll, did my boys tear up your farm or steel meat?”

“Neither sir” Kent replied:

“We are from the future...” Before he could finish his sentence, Anna burst out:

“You are my great great great Grandfather, would you please come with us to

defend your actions and your way of life.”

Kent, shook his head. General Lee seemed puzzled. Kent then explained that he was a Professor

of History at William and Mary College and was indeed a time traveler.

“General Lee, my American History class is studying you. There have been a great many

protests; statues of you are being torn down and schools changing their names. If you would

consent to speak, we were hoping you could help us change these protestors minds.”

General Robert E. Lee, sat quietly for several minutes:

“I am but a humble man, politics was never my intention. I will go with the two of you if

it will aide your cause, sir.”

General Lee, felt himself whirling through time and space. They arrived back in 2020. General Lee was amazed at the changes he saw. Stunned by cars and clothing, electricity.

“This is the twenty first century? My good heavens! Where are we bound for?”

Kent replied:

“Back to my apartment, where we can change clothes. Class is at ten o'clock in the morning.”

Lee nodded as he stared at houses. He asked how far they were from Manassas, Virginia, he wished to see the battlefield. Kent promised they would do that and if the General would like, they could also go to Chancellorsville. Lee smiled a wan smile.

Once they arrived at the apartment building where Kent lived, Lee stared at the height:

“My goodness do folks live here?”

Kent and Anna both chuckled as Kent replied:

“General, this is an apartment building, it has fifteen floors.”

“Folks actually live here? There must be over a thousand steps.”

“No General there are elevators to take you up and down.”

They walked over to the elevator, this time of day people were at work so it was to their advantage. They stepped into the elevator. Lee grabbed hold as it rose.

“I think sir, this contraption is very good and quick.”

They stepped out of the elevator. Lee saw the television:

“what kind of tomfoolery is that?”

“That General is a television, we can show you after we change clothes and I return Anna to

to her dorm.”

Kent laid out slacks, shoes, under ware and socks and shirt for the General. He hoped they would fit. Kent hurried and changed as did Anna. Kent knocked on the General's door, there he found Lee sitting on the bed and examining each article of clothing;

“Sir, would it not be better if I wore my uniform, these clothes are strange, they are not wool.”

Kent, helped him dress. Stating that tomorrow he would wear these clothes, and bring his uniform with him just in case. He just did not tell the General in case of what.

The following morning, Kent and Lee drove to the dorm. Anna was ready and waiting. Kent drove toward his office. Once there, Kent informed Lee that this lecture could change history in the twenty first century, hopefully for the better. Lee began to form in his mind what he thought needed to be said. He was defending his way of life. Kent and Anna entered the classroom as General Lee waited in his office. Twenty minutes later Kent returned for the General.

“Today class, I would like to introduce Mr. Robert Lee, he is going to speak about the Civil

War.”

Lee, walked to the podium, silence fell upon the entire lecture hall. The gray hair and beard, his posture and command called for immediate quiet.

“It is my pleasure to be here today, I am here as y'all know to give you a better understanding

of General Robert E. Lee CSA commander of the Army of Northern Virginia. My mission

today is to clear the General's name of any wrong doing that you folks think he did.

Yes, he resigned his commission in the United States Army, he felt he had a higher duty

to Virginia. His first victory was due to General Johnston's injuries. That was the Seven

Days battle. Next came Second Manassas, his last victory was perhaps his greatest. He split

his command and sent “Stonewall” to circle around at Chancellorsville to keep Hooker from

victory. Gettysburg was Lee's fault no one else.”

The students began to boo, Lee stalked out of the room returning in his Confederate uniform. He walked back in, taking a deep breath. The students in Kent's class stopped booing:

“I came here today to set several wrongs right. I am sorry that I could not please you. I am

General Robert E. Lee CSA. It broke my heart when Virginia seceded from the Union.”

Silence pervaded the room as he continued:

“It is time to set these matters right. I came here because I wanted to set things straight. I am

from the eighteenth century. People had more respect for their elders and decisions that the

governments made. Today, you people had no respect for me. You thought I was odd, old

fashioned. For my time I was progressive. I drew up a will before I left for the Mexican

War, stating the our Arlington slaves were emancipated. When the war broke out, some stayed

to keep Arlington safe. Yes, at times I was harsher than I really needed to be with them. I

saw them as children who needed guidance. I am a humble man, who simply loved his

country. Yes I did turn down Mr. Lincoln I had a higher duty to Virginia. Perhaps you

don't understand but the crux is that Arlington Virginia was my home. I defended her

to the best of my abilities. Don't judge me to harshly, I pray of you. The mysterious Mr. Lee that had entered the lecture hall, returning as General Robert E. Lee; both scared and fascinated Kent's students. One of the students stood:

“Can you tell us something only General Lee would know, if you really are General Lee.”

The General cleared his throat:

“How about the failure at Gettysburg. I told you before that I was the one totally responsible.

I should have pulled out on the second day instead of arguing. General Longstreet was

very much correct. It is a regret I will always live with. I wrote a letter to my wife the

following night. I told her I was broken hearted, that all the confederacy had been there.

I also told her that I loved her and the children. You may believe me or not. If you look

among my papers I am sure that someone saved that letter.”

That being said, he placed his gray planters hat on his head, turn about leaving the students and professor staring at the back of their mysterious guest Robert E. Lee. The following day, Kent and Anna took him to see Manassas battle ground:

“It is much as I remember it but where is the battlefield?”

“General, they term this progress, this is all that is left.”

Lee turned then:

“Please return me now to my home. I have done all I could. I hope someday the hate ends.”