ost idolatrous. He suggested the uniform of quiet gray on
account of its protective coloring and against all the army traditions
of ages, that an army should march into action in gaudy and glittering
attire. It was not until the great World War of a later century, that
wise military leaders followed his example and dressed their troops as
inconspicuously as possible.

It is not the province of this short sketch to trace General Lee's
campaigns step by step to the final meeting with Grant at Appomattox.
Army after army was sent to meet him from the North's far greater
resources, only to be baffled or defeated in the South. And it was not
until he forsook his successful tactics of the defensive, and assumed
the offensive on his invasion of Pennsylvania, that he encountered
serious defeat at Gettysburg.

But, after all, the great foe to whom his troops had finally to
succumb, was General Starvation. The resources of the South were
literally exhausted.

"My men are starving," said Lee tersely to Grant; and back of them lay
a suffering land that had literally been "bled white."

It was indeed a bitter lesson that the South had learned, but the
verdict of history is that it was salutary. The Union was greater than
any State or any group of States. It had required a War to rectify
that fatal flaw in the Constitution, but out of the fires of that
terrible conflict was fused a Union "strong and great," that should be
far better fitted to withstand the shock of Time.

Since that bygone day when Lee laid aside his sword forever, and his
men went straggling back to their plowshares, America has become
engaged in two other wars. And among the first to respond to the bugle
call and line up behind "Old Glory" have been the sons and grandsons of
that staunch line of Gray--the men who followed Lee.

If the souls of great soldiers ever come back to earth, we can imagine
no finer picture than the Leader of a Lost Cause again looking up to
the Stars and Stripes and pledging it his silent allegiance. We can
seem to see him on his familiar gray charger at the head of his forces,
fighting again for his beloved country. We can seem to hear his voice
ringing in command:

"On, men of Virginia! On, men of the South! We are Americans all!"

IMPORTANT DATES IN LEE'S LIFE

1807. January 19. Robert Edward Lee born.
1825. Entered West Point.
1829. Graduated second in his class. Made second-lieutenant
in e