Gettysburg is my hometown, i.e., not where I was born (Myrtle Point, OR) but where I grew up from age nine onward. As an adult, the yearly winter lecture series by the Gettysburg National Military Park was one of my favorite things to attend. I am pleased to see a presentation on RUclips of this series, as I no longer live in Gettysburg. Ranger Matt Atkinson has a terrific personality, clearly knows his subject, and provides us with an exemplary presentation. I am grateful for it. We need more people like him to keep history accurate.
As a student of history regarding Robert E. Lee and grandson of a Francis Pendleton Gaines a 29 year President of Washington and Lee University,I can only applaud this presentation. It was so well thought out and delivered. I do no know why I did no find it sooner. VERY WELL Done.Thank you. Edwin M. GAINES Jr.
I can't say enough about how mesmerizing this lecture was. I literally felt like I was in the presence of the late general's insights. Sadly our history has taken a backseat to lies, deception and the desire to forget it. I am so glad that no matter what we think about history, it always remains to remind us of the folly of man and ideas that we may forever be mindful of the future.
Nah. The United Daughters of the Confederation made it their #1 goal to get ahold of Souther textbooks to keep the lie of the Confederacy going. Look like it worked reading these comments.
The only lies and deception has been “The Lost Cause” myth by the South. They are the ones trying to create a false narrative of history. The only difference now is that a lot of people aren’t accepting it anymore and are trying to establish the true history.
The unassuming, humorous and highly informed Matt Atkinson is a joy to watch. I don't know where the National Park Service finds people like him but the fact that people like Matt are to be found is a great source of inspiration.
@@louisunderwood4243 Lee's better judgement didn't show up that day. Pickett's charge was not a calculated risk it was a gamble; a squandering of lives with a wild throw of the dice against an enemy that held the high ground and had the newest and latest artillery. Still, the actual number of Pickett's KIA's was 498 killed and when the wounded and/or captured is added it comes to 2,655. Over the course of the three days Confederate casualties numbered more than 28,000 so the charge was only a small part of the humiliation.The war went on for another 21 months. In my view the battle didn't mean that Lee had lost the war that day but it did mean that the eventual outcome became obvious to nearly everyone. Lee would never again invade the North and threaten Washington. European powers had been on the verge of recognizing the Conferderacy but changed their minds.The aura of invincibility that once accompanied him was lost and gone forever. Sometimes I wonder if Lee lost it on purpose because in the proverbial 20/20 hindsight he did something dumb.
This lecture here is among the best I've heard. I'm relistening it for the 2nd or 3rd time. It really transfers you in that tragic, yet fascinating, era.
“My experience of men has neither exposed me to think worse of them, nor indisposed me to serve them, nor in spite of failures I now lament, of errors I now see and acknowledge or of the present aspect of affairs do I despair of the future. The truth is this: the march of Providence is so slow, our desires so impatient, the work of progress so immense and our means of aiding it so feeble, the life of humanity is so long, that of the individual so brief, that we often only see the ebb of the advancing wave and are thus discouraged. It is history that teaches us to hope.” -General Robert E. Lee
This is so profound and I am glad I stumbled upon this quote. As we get older we intuitively realize this but not able to express it as Lee did here. Thank you
@Pennsylvania Mike I posted this on my FB and several people are sharing. I was sent this by a RUclips acquaintance. Profound. We're living in very sad, very strange times, my friend. I have a quote that captures this so prophetically it scares me: “Every record has been destroyed or falsified, every book rewritten, every picture has been repainted, every statue removed, every street and building renamed, every date has been altered. And the process is continuing day by day and minute by minute. History has stopped. Nothing exists except an endless present in which the Party is always right.” ~ George Orwell, 1984
Apparently, after his presidency, Eisenhower moved to Gettysburg, refusing to discuss WWII, but would hold forth about the Battle of Gettysburg. Fabulous lecture.
As a great great great granddaughter of Mr, Robert E. Lee Pickett I thank you for this beautiful report of my family, it was absolutely beautiful thank you, many have the wrong idea about him and what kind of man he was, it's nice to hear positive information about my great great great grandfather I'm sure he'd be proud thank you.
Best lecture on Robert E. Lee. There isn't too much out there about Lee's postwar years and this lecturer answered a lot of the questions I had been so curious about for so long. 👍🏻
Ranger Matt Atkinson is the best presentator on CW history around. The depth and passion he puts into his lectures , as well as his humorous anecdotes make the experience a very pleasant one.
I'm from the Netherlands and probably will never be visiting Gettysburg. But boy, do I like to hear this man tell the tale. Love his speaking and humor. Please keep on telling and posting on RUclips Matt!
Come on over Peter! Gettysburg awaits! Good people here to welcome you! There's a bunch of other battlefields a short drive away... Get your lily white ass over here! 8-)
Shamrockrancher I've been to Gettsyburg and found it extremely disappointing. The people from the area are basically dumb hicks who know next to nothing about the Civil War and their battle site. I found the tours to be very basic. An 8th grader could do better.
Pill Box Well I mean... it is still a functioning, modern town. I've never been and I'd like to, but that's what I would expect. Would you think the people living around Waterloo would all be French, or Coalition soldiers?
Robert E Lee never owned his own home. He did not inherit Stratford, his birthplace. As a youth, he, with his family, resided in homes rented from relations. Next, he went to West Point, graduated, and assumed various posts around the U.S. He came east to visit his family at Arlington House, VA, home of his in-laws. Mary, Lee's wife, inherited Arlington House where Lee continued to visit during various tours of duty around the U.S. Of course, during the war, he needed no fixed home, but Mary and daughters rented the Franklin Street home in Richmond, which is where Lee settled down for just a few short weeks in 1865 when he accepted the Washington College position. The college had, as a "perk" for its president, a home on-campus. There he resided until his death, dying in that fringe benefit from the college. Lee never owned his own home.
He was a traitor to the Union who defended Slavery. I find it sick, that people still see him as a hero and villify Grant who saved the Union. Its one thing to admire his skill and acknowledge that, but to see him as a hero is just not right.
I know couldn't imagine America being more divided than during that time frame but it seems like now it's not just divided but fractured into a million pieces
@@kevinbishop6582 because people are widely uneducated and have little knowledge of the subjects they hate so much. That's why it's so easy for a few to set the stage to get what tney want by using the weaker minds to do the work.
@@toddnelson7050 people choose to be uneducated the information is out there they just dont want to see it because it destroys there narrative of how things should be or was
The moment he walked through that front door for the last time with that uniform ... I think about moments like that a lot. :-) This presenter is wonderful, his mannerisms so natural and real. 🌷
As a retired solider, of 22 years, and been in combat myself. War is terrible and people do get injured or killed. The Union and the CSA both were fighting for their own beliefs at the time from 1860-65. A nation divided can not stand for long. God Bless America!
Most Southerners did not own slaves. Most Slaves did not work on plantations. They worked in shops as clerks and other things. While most Southerners ran family farms. The rich had slaves working on their corporate plantations. Also most slave owners did not abuse their slaves physically. Abuse them physically and they can't work as hard. Sure if they ran away they got it. As with anything there is always evil people that abuse people physically and that is how it was with some plantations.
The slaves in US had longer life expectancies than their fellow people in Africa. Its ignorant to blame the South for Slavery when Most people did not own slaves. Also the North had slave States even under Lincoln. Other Countries had it and for most of history. African tribal chiefs were part of the slave trade selling young strong men for money and to secure their position for life. Euros started the Transatlantic slave trade. Portugal and Spain and then later on UK and more. Native Americans had their own sins. Even cannibalism and human sacrifices or other things. I'm part Cherokee and my ancestors owned some maid slaves and they lived in the same house as us and were like grandparents to kids and spanked them. We gave the last slaves their own land and that land had a well on it. They lived right beside us and did their thing and we did ours. They continued to be adopted family.
My great (2x) fought under Lee, and was at Lee's surrender, while the same day, my great grandpa was born in Roanoke, Virginia. Thank you for making history come to life! (My 2nd son was born April 9, 1988, and his 2nd son, my 2nd grandson, was born April 9, 2008. So, April 9th is a meaningful day for me.)
@@judithbishop993 I just don't like white supremacists. Not a big fan of people owning people, whipping them, breaking up their families, chopping off limbs if they try to escape. Hey if you agree with that, that's your problem.
Thank You Ranger Atkinson, I had no idea nor had I given much thought to this time. ( after April 1865 ) I will from this time forward use General Lee's example for fueling the continual growth of my nature and spirit.
@CAT After the war, it was well documented that Northern soldiers and leaders had great respect for Lee....if the very men that fought against him had respect for the man, why can't the snowflakes of today?
This war was an embarrassment to our Country. We were at war with ourselves. Only to keep people oppressed. So why would anyone applaud a man who was cruel to people who did absolutely nothing to hurt him or our country. And about him being a christian. He was the wrong example of a Christian. Our God said love your neighbor as yourself. Know did he treat his self like he treated the slaves. Better yet would God want him to even have slaves. I hope he asked the Allmighty to forgive him for the way he oppressed God's people Before he died because it's going to come up judgement day. Everything we ever done without repenting. So please people don't follow after what was done by this man. Follow what God wants us to do. Who side are you on God's side or Robert E. Lee?
@@henryosborne7052 especially the way he liked to break up slave families so they would never see their loved ones again. www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/06/the-myth-of-the-kindly-general-lee/529038/
This was an incredible lecture. Thank you Matt Atkinson for your scholarship. I wish that they still published Freeman's R.E. Lee which was an equally incredible history in 4 volumes.
My dear friend it is so refreshing to find someone in this day and age who has the ability to effectively communicate knows the subject matter in a personal manner and take the ability and time To investigate it. I would say that in his time 1865 to 1870. No other American work harder to reconcile this country than General Robert E Lee.
@@russellkandalaft1381will my friend it wasn't a war over slavery. It was no more war over slavery than the invasion of Iraq was over weapons of mass destruction. That was a political Ploy just like invading Iraq was for weapons of mass destruction the reason that it is so hard for us in the South to forgive that war is what was done off the battlefield. Losing the battles is not hard for a southerner to swallow it is what was done to our women folk and our families during Sherman's ride to the ocean and during the reconstruction with the carpetbaggers. A lot of people don't know the raping the pillaging the stealing and the all-out murder that took place against the Innocents in the South by the Yankee invader. Also what really pisses me off is here we are 161 years later about to do the same goddamn thing again and no one in government is standing up to stop it
@Brad Watson It is ironic that you call him a traitor because one of the reasons he left the Union army and joined the Confederacy was because of two things. First, although he believed in the Union, he recognized the importance of the 10th Amendment. Second, (and this is why it is ironic) is because back then, people identified with their States more than the country, and he could not live with being a traitor against his fellow Virginians. Slavery was vile and nothing can ever justify it, and although Lee "owned" slaves, slavery was not his motivation.
@@marcushoward6560 I have often wondered how much shorter the war would have been, and thus lives saved, even Southern lives, if Lee had not become the confederate general.
@@mikeharper3459 Of course I'm serious, because historical fact backs up what I said. You, on the other hand, are spouting off lies because you care more about what you want to be the truth than the actual truth. You refuse to learn so you will persist in your false beliefs.
Matt your lecture is humorous, sentimental, and makes my heart grow even larger for the Country I love: the U.S. A.. You have done a great service Matt, as have those who helped you to share the story of a key figure: Robert E. Lee and the fuller story of his life in helping to heal the nation after the Civil War. Thank you.
I have just about read everything out there that has ever been written on REL. It wasnt till now that my 40 year search to find the real REL, where I can say I understand him a whole lot better. Thank you Matt!
@jan osovsky BTW the Lord Jesus Christ is my top passion that I still read and study about.. Lee was one of the key players in a national nightmare. Shelby foote put it best. To understand where we are today as a prople you mut understand the American Civil War. It was the cross roads of our being as a prople and it was a hell of a cross roads. Lee has to be one of the most complex people from that time.
@@jukeysimmons3589 Lincoln was the traitor. secession is an American right. He invaded the south without congressional approval suspended the writ of Habeas Corpus. Suspended the constitution. Lincoln was a dictator and an affront to the founders.
@jan osovsky Because Hitler's grandfather never founded Israel, nor did Hitler hold the belief that it was God's divine will that the Jews should eventually be free there, so that their mistreatment didn't continue to leave an evil stain on the souls of his countrymen. Keyword there being "eventually"; Lee wasn't a perfect man and bears many disgraces of his age, including his paternalistic racism, and sometimes violent hypocrisy (e.g. Wesley Norris). At the same time, he was a man who considered himself honor-bound to fight a war he knew was doomed and deeply misguided. In the same way, he utterly opposed his own mythologizing and commemoration, aptly predicting that it would leave scars of division on a country he loved, but felt forced to oppose. From a historical point of view, I believe Lee is far more complex emotionally, philosophically and morally than any of the figures you've listed. They often lacked the internal conflict and vulnerability displayed by Lee. Even Jesus is exempt, due to virtually all accounts of him being later additions, invented decades, or sometimes centuries, after his death.
I’ve enjoyed Matt Atkinson’s informative and entertaining presentations. Matt obviously likes his obsession with history. Those that don’t know history are destined to repeat it. Thanks Matt! Your cousin, Ross Atkinson.
Unfortunately you forgot the Fantastic Story of Lee kneeling in the church at Richmond after the war next to a black former slave, taking communion alongside him. A beautiful moment for interracial peace....Lee was what we don't have enough, a kind, wise .gentleman. Peace
@angus4463 what would you have done? Would you have given the order to fire upon your father? Your mother? Your own son? Have you researched the Civil War?
No. There was no trail purely be cause there were fears that a jury would rule secession legal. Since a Souther Sympathizer straight up murdered Lincoln and slashed the hell out of the Secretary of State, they were not to take a chance a Booth like minded juror would vote that they would give the Confederacy legitimacy. Which it never had. Plus, it would have made reunification more difficult. But it was NOT because he wasn't a traitor. They all were. If the Revolutionary war had been lost all of the founding fathers would have been shipped to London, dragged through the streets and hanged for treason as well.
Oh there were plenty of low caliber folks back then. Keep reading to learn more. There are some high caliber folks around now. The trick is to recognize, train, encourage & support those who are better & not just slam all politicians or other aspiring leaders.
What a fantastic lecture and presentation, interesting and extremely informative, with some beautiful moments. Robert E Lee acted with great nobility and generosity in defeat towards the victors, a true gentleman of the State of Virginia, who did much to heal the wounds of civil war
Wonder if they are still giving this talk. Here in Dallas we have Lee park , has been then for one hundred years. There was a statue of Lee on Traveler. It is now gone , very sad this is our history both the good and bad.
Yes, do to our very crooked and stupid Politicians, these great reminders of our own History, both good and bad, are being removed just to please a very violent 1% ! It is lunacy to try and erase the great truths of History.
Remember the confederacy fought to preserve slavery while the men that fough on its side fought for their state (btw most common soldiers also fought to preserve slavery on the confederate side)
@@jonme225 BS read your history. Most Confederate Soldiers and Officers didnt own Slaves, and had no sympathy for those who did. Even Lincoln stated that he wouldnt interfere with Slavery when War broke out. Lincolns Emancipation Act later in the War, only applied to the Southern States. Are you aware that it was SLAVES who completed Washingtons White House Dome and extensions AFTER the Wars end ?
You shouldn't. Lee was a rich slaver owner who fought for his own wealth and social standing. His post war period is filled with stories about how "noble" he was, but he also put his name on a document that swore to the North that the South had come to terms with the Civil War and all the white people would never, ever think about abusing the former slaves. And that right there is what you really should know about Lee - He was either a fool who believed what everyone around him said, or a willful conman scrambling for his state's power while lying through his teeth.
@@ardshielcomplex8917 Read what the South wrote prior to and during the Civil War. They did it to keep owning people and to stay rich, and they rabble roused the non-slave owners by threatening race riots, a promise that abolition would devalue labor, and the promise of the poor one day owning slaves too.
John F. Kennedy Jr: "As a New englander, I recognize the south is still the land of Washington, who made our nation, of Jefferson who shaped its direction, and of Robert E. Lee who, after gallant failure urged those who had followed him in bravery to reunite America in purpose and courage." President Eisenhower was questioned why the president of the united states and former Supreme commander of the allied forces of western Europe during World War 2 would have a photograph of General Robert E. Lee in his presidential office and he said this: "General Robert E. Lee was, in my estimation, one of the supremely gifted men produced by our Nation. He believed unswervingly in the Constitutional validity of his cause....through his many trials, he remained selfless almost to a fault and unfailing in his faith in God...he was noble as a leader and...unsullied as I read the pages of our history...a nation of men of Lee's caliber would be unconquerable in spirit and soul...such are the reasons I proudly display the picture of this great American on my office wall." And once again for good measure, Winston Churchill: "Robert E. Lee is the greatest American who's ever lived. I hope every American can learn to be as brave and honorable as he was."
Im from Canada and enjoy very much reading about the civil war. I have a small statue of him on his horse. He was incredible. What bothers me is how it was allowed to disgrace him with spray can paint. He was a true icon of military mastery.
... you can say they were wrong, you can say that they lost, but you can’t say they were all bad or evil, and you can’t say they were undeserving of respect, empathy, and reunification ... I’ll always have the deepest respect and admiration for General Lee - not for everything he symbolized, but for everything he was ... he was an honorable man, and I will remember him as such ...
My family has been in Virginia for 200+ years, and I was born there . Lee and his cohorts were traitors and all should be put on trial. for the carnage and death they unleashed on this country to preserve the economic advantages of free labor. Slavery is a birth defect of this country’s founding that plagues us to this day. A lot of the constitutional flaws were added to insure the south would join the union, and we are still paying for it. I am particularly struck by how quick lee shifts to the forgive and forget mode. Using this model there would statues of hitler all over Germany, These people were creeps and no amount of time will change that . It’s not well known but a lot of southerners had no use for the confederacy, slavery or the war and were victims of geography. It’s amazing how doing the wrong thing can haunt you forever
@Abel D Bunker @CAT Have either of y'all ever studied why he finally chose to fight against the North. How long he struggled with what to do because he was torn between the Union and his home country of Virginia? The reasons for his decision? You have both made it abundantly clear, the answers to my questions.
Thank you Ranger Matt for a very thorough lecture. I enjoy listening to these in my spare time while reading through Shelby Foote's three volume Civil War Narrative.
Clinton never went to war against her own country Clinton never had black slavery whipped Clinton never invaded PA or MD And captured 1000 black Americans and marched then South to be sold as slaves When people call the Clinton's "corrupt" they seem to forget that the Clinton'sactually by choice live rather modestly They own 2 homes one bought fir 1,5 million in NY And one bought for 4.5 million in DC Money is really not something that they have ever cared about
lee had a great skill of picking out the best people for the job . this added to his great record in the war . i think this skill of his is the best in our nation's history , his pure military skill was not all that bad . but had gaps which were filled by the people he picked to be around him . mind you the lost of these men hurt the range of lee late in the war . lee was a Washington with out french war aid
Lee was a phenomenal tactician, but a terrible strategist. He didn't really concern himself with logistics and what to do AFTER winning a battle and like Hannibal Barca before him, he learned that is no way to win a war. A quote from one of Hannibal's officers was "You know how to win victories, Hannibal, but you do not know what to do with them." The exact same can be said for Lee. Carthage was basically in a similar position to the Confederates. Fighting a military force of superior numbers, but largely poorly led (at the outset). Hannibal won battle after battle in Italy, but what did he actually achieve? He was no closer to submitting Rome. All the while in the west (not unlike the civil war) the Romans were winning with Scipio at the helm, just like in the West the union was winning with Grant at the helm. Then Scipio set his sights in the east at Carthage itself, just like Grant did so on Richmond. Hannibal and Lee then lost.
Very good presentation, much appreciated! Robert E Lee has always been a personal hero. Whenever I am near DC, I make a special trip to Arlington House and admire its beauty.
I honor the man, and your personal vendetta against him, will always be stood up against and fought for. People like you, are just out of touch with honor and reality.
Yep, I guess you could call it that, but to him, it's more than an opinion...it's hatred!! I have a hard time dealing with his kind and his hatred, but I will NEVER give in to it or to those like him.
FSU Truckess - Hapless more like. Arlington National Cemetery is a United States military cemetery and resting place of JFK & war dead. You absolute piece of fucking shit.
Wow, just found this. Big Matt fan, and RE Lee ! Go to all his anniversary battlefield walks, Thank you for this. Lee was a great General and great human.
Bravo and thanks for this wonderful piece on the greatest military leader ever produced by this land. Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant and their contemporaries certainly sparked an interest in me as a school child and changed my life for the better long after they were dead and gone in physical person. Kevin J. Best, Capt. USMC (Ret.), U.S. Naval Academy, Class of 1985
@@OO-nb2kt You're not helping. Your obnoxious screeds make the position you're championing weaker by association. Learn to engage your fellow man with a sense of decorum or don't do so at all.
Woodie Thompspn when his rich father in law died he said he wanted his slaves freed, instead Lee decided to keep them all and had them whipped when they tried to escape I do not consider that "honorable"
@@jrjohnryanjr I'm not familiar with that but of Information what is your source of it ? From I've read there were two that actually belo ged to his wife he freed them!
@@jrjohnryanjr he did defend it o. More than one occasion was in fact a hero . The story is anti deeper as I'm sure you k now , dont want to ad mit. He was no traitor
vvery interesting lecture. much of lee's humanity was displayed making him come more alive as a historical figure. frankly, i'm surprised comments haven't been disabled.
"The War was a unnecessary condition of affairs and might of been avoided if forbearance and wisdom had been practiced on both sides." General Robert E. Lee
@TMWSITY Not at all. He himself said that if every slave in America belonged to him, he would free them to prevent the war. Rather, he was advocating compromise, wisdom, and forbearance on *both* sides. Both sides agitated for war and stomped on the other side, and he clearly and rightly sees this as a mutual failure.
@Chris Davis The US Constitution didn't forbid secession, nor had the courts ever interpreted to until years after the war. In fact, the Chief Justice even discouraged the war department from attempting to try the Confederates for treason, explaining that they would win and secession would essentially have to be declared legal. So no, the Confederates were not violating any law.
@TMWSITY He wasn't a radical abolitionist, he rather passively disapproved of slavery, and thought ending slavery was a much better alternative to civil war and the Union breaking apart. As for marrying into a slave owning family, what is the problem? Slavery had always existed, if you lived there at that time or pretty much anywhere before the 19th century,, you wouldn't have had a problem marrying into a slave owning family either.
Enjoying this lecture about my ancestor. My great-great grandmother, Ann Lee, is a descendant of Robert E. Lee. There is a church field trip planned for July 23, 2022 to Lexington, VA to visit the church from which our organ came. Not long before my grandmother passed away, she told me that we're related to John S. Mosby aka The Grey Ghost. Viewer from Roanoke, VA
I am so impressed by this man and his attempt to explain history instead of re-writing it..also, his knowledge of Lee and his admiration of a Truly Great Southern Gentleman..
I've been to most of those places, but to stand there next to the General's desk as he left it that day was most moving of all, it was as if I might turn around and see him coming back in....
gojobuddy Yes he did inheritate slaves but he still did fight a war to own them. And in a letter to his wife he said Slaves had a better life in america socially, physically than in africa. He also punished slaves that ran away. So stfu
Green Master They did have a better life here. And so do you. My father had to work twice as hard as I did, his father fought wars and worked twice as hard as my father did. We are all comfortable off of our ancestors backs. Sometimes criminals would be sold so that they could no longer commit crimes. other slaves were obtained from kidnappings, or through raids that occurred at gunpoint from Africa and BRITAIN joint ventures along with other European nations. Slaves came in every color, not just black. Irish slaves were brought by the ship and sold over and over again. Get over it!
@@GreenMaster1 Yes, he did inheritate a few but certainly didn't have any with him, while he was away working for the Union. He was away so much in fact, that his wife had to take her children and go back and live with her family. His wife and mother-in-law were also anti slavery and used to teach them to read and write. His wife and Robert E. Lee even paid for some to return back Liberia. Then his wife conversed with them through letters. If you think Robert E Lee warred to keep slavery then you're obviously off your biffy. He decided to join the South because he was a Virginian first as well as his entire family and friends. He was not going to war them, end of story. It had absolutely nothing to do with slavery.
As they should. The good deeds in life don't necessarily overwrite your largest one. This man led an army of traitors, as a traitor, to try to destroy the country in the name of slavery. over 300,000 union troops perished during the American civil war from the hands of traitors like Lee and the traitor soldiers who served under him. Too many these days forget about the absolute turmoil and wreckage our country went through over 150 years ago because revisionists want to only focus on the good rather than the absolute horrors and cruelty of a band of traitors. Too many of the problems we face in the US are still directly related to our inaction to traitors such as Lee during the reconstruction era.
@@frizzykid100 The war only became about slavery when Lincoln realized many enlistments were up and he had an election coming up. The war was about states rights versus the role of the federal government in our lives, genius.
@@borninvincible Uh-huh. Washington owned slaves, too. Without him in the saddle you would be speaking with an effeminate (in your case) British accent.You're a different kind of man from Lee, that's for sure.
@@frizzykid100 Name one white person ANYWHERE in the US in 1861 that would be thrilled his White daughter was involved, sexually, with a Black man. I'll wait. While you're searching for that, name one in 1961. I'll wait. Let's move to today. Name one Black sister that is thrilled to see a Black man with a White girl. Waiting. Robert E. Lee was a God-like figure that loved his state more than his country.He led men into battle, something you could never do. Was Lincoln, the Great Emancipator, racist? There are several papers of his that disparage the intellectual capacity of Black people especially related to voting. You're a self-righteous turd that harbors his own racist secrets and you try to cover it by slamming others.
What a awesome lecture, my mom is from Mi my dad is from Panama 🇵🇦. I gre up in NC I recall watching North and South while my mom decorated the tree. I have Been a civil war addict since then grew up 45 Mims from New Bern. Nest lecture ever!
Thank you for an enriching historical speech on Robert E Lee. I have heard some of the best historical lectures over the years from gentleman like this. National Park Rangers are 1st class.
Fantastic lecture! I’ve recently read empire of the summer moon by S. C. Gwynne and then as a result of his brilliant writing read hymns of the republic. Does anyone have any suggestions on other books on the same subject?
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Gettysburg is my hometown, i.e., not where I was born (Myrtle Point, OR) but where I grew up from age nine onward. As an adult, the yearly winter lecture series by the Gettysburg National Military Park was one of my favorite things to attend. I am pleased to see a presentation on RUclips of this series, as I no longer live in Gettysburg. Ranger Matt Atkinson has a terrific personality, clearly knows his subject, and provides us with an exemplary presentation. I am grateful for it. We need more people like him to keep history accurate.
What an interesting lecture. Teachers like Matt Atkinson make history come alive. We need more like him teaching in schools and universities.
It would never happen it done fit the narrative. They will paint the whole south and all our generals in a bad light.
. LEE Was a Racist Traitor- fought to preserve slavery- ownership of human beings- resulting in rape, and lynchings - celebrate that????
why am I still receiving this crap again - I do not want to receive this crap
@@pierrerochon7271 💩
As a student of history regarding Robert E. Lee and grandson of a Francis Pendleton Gaines a 29 year President of Washington and Lee University,I can only applaud this presentation. It was so well thought out and delivered. I do no know why I did no find it sooner. VERY WELL Done.Thank you.
Edwin M. GAINES Jr.
100%
I can't say enough about how mesmerizing this lecture was. I literally felt like I was in the presence of the late general's insights. Sadly our history has taken a backseat to lies, deception and the desire to forget it. I am so glad that no matter what we think about history, it always remains to remind us of the folly of man and ideas that we may forever be mindful of the future.
Nah. The United Daughters of the Confederation made it their #1 goal to get ahold of Souther textbooks to keep the lie of the Confederacy going. Look like it worked reading these comments.
The only lies and deception has been “The Lost Cause” myth by the South. They are the ones trying to create a false narrative of history. The only difference now is that a lot of people aren’t accepting it anymore and are trying to establish the true history.
Sadly human nature doesn't change. Look at today.
The unassuming, humorous and highly informed Matt Atkinson is a joy to watch. I don't know where the National Park Service finds people like him but the fact that people like Matt are to be found is a great source of inspiration.
Lees ignorance lost the war at gettysburg
@@louisunderwood4243 Lee's better judgement didn't show up that day. Pickett's charge was not a calculated risk it was a gamble; a squandering of lives with a wild throw of the dice against an enemy that held the high ground and had the newest and latest artillery.
Still, the actual number of Pickett's KIA's was 498 killed and when the wounded and/or captured is added it comes to 2,655. Over the course of the three days Confederate casualties numbered more than 28,000 so the charge was only a small part of the humiliation.The war went on for another 21 months. In my view the battle didn't mean that Lee had lost the war that day but it did mean that the eventual outcome became obvious to nearly everyone. Lee would never again invade the North and threaten Washington. European powers had been on the verge of recognizing the Conferderacy but changed their minds.The aura of invincibility that once accompanied him was lost and gone forever. Sometimes I wonder if Lee lost it on purpose because in the proverbial 20/20 hindsight he did something dumb.
Yawn
He’s too silly. Too many jokes. Annoying.
Matt is great. Yes Lee should of listened to Longstreet though. Lee did make a huge mistake but he was great.
I can watch this lecturer all day long. He's the best in the business. 👍🏻
Absolutly
This lecture here is among the best I've heard. I'm relistening it for the 2nd or 3rd time. It really transfers you in that tragic, yet fascinating, era.
What a tremendous lecture. The presenter made history come alive. Thanks for having this available.
“My experience of men has neither exposed me to think worse of them, nor indisposed me to serve them, nor in spite of failures I now lament, of errors I now see and acknowledge or of the present aspect of affairs do I despair of the future. The truth is this: the march of Providence is so slow, our desires so impatient, the work of progress so immense and our means of aiding it so feeble, the life of humanity is so long, that of the individual so brief, that we often only see the ebb of the advancing wave and are thus discouraged. It is history that teaches us to hope.” -General Robert E. Lee
This is so profound and I am glad I stumbled upon this quote. As we get older we intuitively realize this but not able to express it as Lee did here. Thank you
@Pennsylvania Mike I posted this on my FB and several people are sharing.
I was sent this by a RUclips acquaintance. Profound.
We're living in very sad, very strange times, my friend. I have a quote that captures this so prophetically it scares me:
“Every record has been destroyed or falsified, every book rewritten, every picture has been repainted, every statue removed, every street and building renamed, every date has been altered. And the process is continuing day by day and minute by minute. History has stopped. Nothing exists except an endless present in which the Party is always right.”
~ George Orwell, 1984
Yee yee
Pennsylvania Mike I blame the FakeNews and infotainment. Great book
@CAT you subscribe to TYT, you were saying?
I'm so glad these lectures are available on RUclips. They're such a treat. Thank you
Be a good idea to ARCHIVE this. It'll be scrubbed, you betcha.
re: so glad these lectures are available on RUclips...
They won't be available much longer
For now...
@@angelsaltamontes7336 !
Robert Lee my son was named after him
@Old timer hot shot Great reply!
I never get tired of Civil War History/Gettysburg History, and given by Matt Atkinson, thank you Matt!
how about a lecture on NAT TURNER????
PLEASE Stop SENDING ME- This CONFEDERATE BS-I am not subscribed to it - delete it -thks
Apparently, after his presidency, Eisenhower moved to Gettysburg, refusing to discuss WWII, but would hold forth about the Battle of Gettysburg. Fabulous lecture.
As a great great great granddaughter of Mr, Robert E. Lee Pickett I thank you for this beautiful report of my family, it was absolutely beautiful thank you, many have the wrong idea about him and what kind of man he was, it's nice to hear positive information about my great great great grandfather I'm sure he'd be proud thank you.
Whatever you say about Lee, you have to begin with he was a traitor to the United States.
Hi cousin!!
Best lecture on Robert E. Lee. There isn't too much out there about Lee's postwar years and this lecturer answered a lot of the questions I had been so curious about for so long. 👍🏻
Most senior Confederate officers died in the war or shortly after. Very few survived many years later.
I end up listening to this talk every once in a while on youtube and it always gives me something worth hearing. Perfect!
Ranger Matt Atkinson is the best presentator on CW history around. The depth and passion he puts into his lectures , as well as his humorous anecdotes make the experience a very pleasant one.
Thank you Mr. Atkinson for all of the details you have researched and brought forth about Robert E. LEE and the scenarios in history.
Ranger Matt's lectures are outstanding! He is a bright star in the NPS universe :-)
I'm from the Netherlands and probably will never be visiting Gettysburg. But boy, do I like to hear this man tell the tale. Love his speaking and humor. Please keep on telling and posting on RUclips Matt!
Come on over Peter! Gettysburg awaits! Good people here to welcome you! There's a bunch of other battlefields a short drive away... Get your lily white ass over here! 8-)
Shamrockrancher I've been to Gettsyburg and found it extremely disappointing. The people from the area are basically dumb hicks who know next to nothing about the Civil War and their battle site. I found the tours to be very basic. An 8th grader could do better.
Pill Box That's sad to read! It's still on my list though. And if it's as you say, the Walmart must be spectacular to behold!
Pill Box Well I mean... it is still a functioning, modern town. I've never been and I'd like to, but that's what I would expect. Would you think the people living around Waterloo would all be French, or Coalition soldiers?
Peter Heeringa I am from Poland and and I have the same impressions about Matt and his tales, I love them and his sense of humor
Excellent History Lesson about Robert E Lee and after the Civil War 👍🏼
Robert E Lee never owned his own home. He did not inherit Stratford, his birthplace. As a youth, he, with his family, resided in homes rented from relations. Next, he went to West Point, graduated, and assumed various posts around the U.S. He came east to visit his family at Arlington House, VA, home of his in-laws. Mary, Lee's wife, inherited Arlington House where Lee continued to visit during various tours of duty around the U.S. Of course, during the war, he needed no fixed home, but Mary and daughters rented the Franklin Street home in Richmond, which is where Lee settled down for just a few short weeks in 1865 when he accepted the Washington College position. The college had, as a "perk" for its president, a home on-campus. There he resided until his death, dying in that fringe benefit from the college. Lee never owned his own home.
I love American history. Thank you, Ranger Atkinson, for humanizing such a major American historical figure.
@CAT Youre not right bright are ya?
@Brad Watson 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
@CAT
"then you"?
Hahahaha
...than you ( yes, you CAT).
Americaaa....fuck yeah ... comin thru to save the motherfuckin day yeaahh.
He was a traitor to the Union who defended Slavery. I find it sick, that people still see him as a hero and villify Grant who saved the Union. Its one thing to admire his skill and acknowledge that, but to see him as a hero is just not right.
Thank you Mr.Atkinson! Much appreciation.Thank you also for making history come alive every time you give a talk.🤠🐴🐎
I am glad that we still have the freedom to talk about things in an unbiased conversation
I know couldn't imagine America being more divided than during that time frame but it seems like now it's not just divided but fractured into a million pieces
After listening to this, I find little rationale in people that want to remove monuments to this man.
@@kevinbishop6582 because people are widely uneducated and have little knowledge of the subjects they hate so much. That's why it's so easy for a few to set the stage to get what tney want by using the weaker minds to do the work.
@@toddnelson7050 people choose to be uneducated the information is out there they just dont want to see it because it destroys there narrative of how things should be or was
You clearly dont know the meaning of the word bias
The moment he walked through that front door for the last time with that uniform ... I think about moments like that a lot. :-)
This presenter is wonderful, his mannerisms so natural and real. 🌷
Good presentaion. Like finding a little treasure on the internet.
As a retired solider, of 22 years, and been in combat myself. War is terrible and people do get injured or killed. The Union and the CSA both were fighting for their own beliefs at the time from 1860-65. A nation divided can not stand for long. God Bless America!
@Nobody Knows and that is how the west was won,,, Crappyforincator,,, Oregone,, Washiton,,,,
Donnie 65 (not your average guy) a sad part of our history. Half the country fighting to support the immoral conduct of slavery.
@Nobody Knows Fighting for a failed cause pushed on them by the plantation owners running the South.
Most Southerners did not own slaves.
Most Slaves did not work on plantations.
They worked in shops as clerks and other things.
While most Southerners ran family farms.
The rich had slaves working on their corporate plantations.
Also most slave owners did not abuse their slaves physically. Abuse them physically and they can't work as hard.
Sure if they ran away they got it.
As with anything there is always evil people that abuse people physically and that is how it was with some plantations.
The slaves in US had longer life expectancies than their fellow people in Africa.
Its ignorant to blame the South for Slavery when Most people did not own slaves.
Also the North had slave States even under Lincoln.
Other Countries had it and for most of history.
African tribal chiefs were part of the slave trade selling young strong men for money and to secure their position for life.
Euros started the Transatlantic slave trade.
Portugal and Spain and then later on UK and more.
Native Americans had their own sins. Even cannibalism and human sacrifices or other things.
I'm part Cherokee and my ancestors owned some maid slaves and they lived in the same house as us and were like grandparents to kids and spanked them.
We gave the last slaves their own land and that land had a well on it. They lived right beside us and did their thing and we did ours. They continued to be adopted family.
My great (2x) fought under Lee, and was at Lee's surrender, while the same day, my great grandpa was born in Roanoke, Virginia. Thank you for making history come to life! (My 2nd son was born April 9, 1988, and his 2nd son, my 2nd grandson, was born April 9, 2008. So, April 9th is a meaningful day for me.)
That’s really cool, do you have any photos of him or anything?
Your family fought in a war so that they could continue own people. They're despicable and hopefully frying in the afterlife ♥
🏆📄🎗𝙖𝙢𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜
@@alexanderbarrera9906 YOU ARE A VERY MEAN SPIRITED PERSON. GOD FORGIVES BUT YOU CAN NOT. THINK ABOUT THAT FOR A WHILE.
@@judithbishop993 I just don't like white supremacists. Not a big fan of people owning people, whipping them, breaking up their families, chopping off limbs if they try to escape. Hey if you agree with that, that's your problem.
I just watched and I'm very thankful for these types of educational lectures. Thanks for putting this together and presenting it so well!
Thank You Ranger Atkinson, I had no idea nor had I given much thought to this time. ( after April 1865 ) I will from this time forward use General Lee's example for fueling the continual growth of my nature and spirit.
CAT maybe he wants to enslave people
Thank you , Ranger Atkinson for this great presentation on General Lee.
@CAT Wow, you are completely ignorant of actual history.
@CAT You can't fix stupid, I'm sorry, but continue to live in your delusional fairy tail.
@CAT After the war, it was well documented that Northern soldiers and leaders had great respect for Lee....if the very men that fought against him had respect for the man, why can't the snowflakes of today?
This war was an embarrassment to our Country. We were at war with ourselves. Only to keep people oppressed. So why would anyone applaud a man who was cruel to people who did absolutely nothing to hurt him or our country. And about him being a christian. He was the wrong example of a Christian. Our God said love your neighbor as yourself. Know did he treat his self like he treated the slaves. Better yet would God want him to even have slaves. I hope he asked the Allmighty to forgive him for the way he oppressed God's people Before he died because it's going to come up judgement day. Everything we ever done without repenting. So please people don't follow after what was done by this man. Follow what God wants us to do. Who side are you on God's side or Robert E. Lee?
Brett Tinder He’s only considered a traitor because the south lost the war. Would you consider Washington or Madison traitors?
This is one of the best lectures I have seen about the last years of Robert E. Lee's life, Thank you, Matt!
Wayne Vaughan I agree. I dint admire Lee but Ranger Atkinson’s lectures are excellent
Mary Moriarity
General Lee is one of the greatest Americans to have ever lived.
Hello Wayne hope you’re having a wonderful day?
@@henryosborne7052 especially the way he liked to break up slave families so they would never see their loved ones again. www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/06/the-myth-of-the-kindly-general-lee/529038/
@@henryosborne7052 oh he is? I didn't realize trailer parks have internet.
This was an incredible lecture. Thank you Matt Atkinson for your scholarship. I wish that they still published Freeman's R.E. Lee which was an equally incredible history in 4 volumes.
Why? I have it…it’s full of horse shit.
Also "Lee's Lieutenants" (3 volumes.)
@@iflick7235 I have it plus the Freeman book!
Jokester
My dear friend it is so refreshing to find someone in this day and age who has the ability to effectively communicate knows the subject matter in a personal manner and take the ability and time To investigate it. I would say that in his time 1865 to 1870. No other American work harder to reconcile this country than General Robert E Lee.
I’m sure he did, but why are we still so divided. A war over slavery.
@@russellkandalaft1381 because of racist people like these confederate simpatizases
@@russellkandalaft1381will my friend it wasn't a war over slavery. It was no more war over slavery than the invasion of Iraq was over weapons of mass destruction. That was a political Ploy just like invading Iraq was for weapons of mass destruction the reason that it is so hard for us in the South to forgive that war is what was done off the battlefield. Losing the battles is not hard for a southerner to swallow it is what was done to our women folk and our families during Sherman's ride to the ocean and during the reconstruction with the carpetbaggers. A lot of people don't know the raping the pillaging the stealing and the all-out murder that took place against the Innocents in the South by the Yankee invader. Also what really pisses me off is here we are 161 years later about to do the same goddamn thing again and no one in government is standing up to stop it
Today is July 14, 2020 Oh, How I needed to Hear this right now...it is Food for my Heart and Soul! Thank You!
Because you do or do not want him into proverbial Sainthood, please elaborate?
@Brad Watson It is ironic that you call him a traitor because one of the reasons he left the Union army and joined the Confederacy was because of two things. First, although he believed in the Union, he recognized the importance of the 10th Amendment. Second, (and this is why it is ironic) is because back then, people identified with their States more than the country, and he could not live with being a traitor against his fellow Virginians. Slavery was vile and nothing can ever justify it, and although Lee "owned" slaves, slavery was not his motivation.
@@marcushoward6560 I have often wondered how much shorter the war would have been, and thus lives saved, even Southern lives, if Lee had not become the confederate general.
Marcus Howard are you serious? Slavery was THE reason for the war - you fight in the war to preserve it and support it
@@mikeharper3459 Of course I'm serious, because historical fact backs up what I said. You, on the other hand, are spouting off lies because you care more about what you want to be the truth than the actual truth. You refuse to learn so you will persist in your false beliefs.
Matt your lecture is humorous, sentimental, and makes my heart grow even larger for the Country I love: the U.S. A.. You have done a great service Matt, as have those who helped you to share the story of a key figure: Robert E. Lee and the fuller story of his life in helping to heal the nation after the Civil War. Thank you.
I have just about read everything out there that has ever been written on REL. It wasnt till now that my 40 year search to find the real REL, where I can say I understand him a whole lot better. Thank you Matt!
@jan osovsky BTW the Lord Jesus Christ is my top passion that I still read and study about.. Lee was one of the key players in a national nightmare. Shelby foote put it best. To understand where we are today as a prople you mut understand the American Civil War. It was the cross roads of our being as a prople and it was a hell of a cross roads. Lee has to be one of the most complex people from that time.
@jan osovsky Because the civil war is the most lied about event in American history.
All you really need to know is that they were all traitors.
@@jukeysimmons3589 Lincoln was the traitor. secession is an American right. He invaded the south without congressional approval suspended the writ of Habeas Corpus. Suspended the constitution. Lincoln was a dictator and an affront to the founders.
@jan osovsky Because Hitler's grandfather never founded Israel, nor did Hitler hold the belief that it was God's divine will that the Jews should eventually be free there, so that their mistreatment didn't continue to leave an evil stain on the souls of his countrymen. Keyword there being "eventually"; Lee wasn't a perfect man and bears many disgraces of his age, including his paternalistic racism, and sometimes violent hypocrisy (e.g. Wesley Norris). At the same time, he was a man who considered himself honor-bound to fight a war he knew was doomed and deeply misguided. In the same way, he utterly opposed his own mythologizing and commemoration, aptly predicting that it would leave scars of division on a country he loved, but felt forced to oppose.
From a historical point of view, I believe Lee is far more complex emotionally, philosophically and morally than any of the figures you've listed. They often lacked the internal conflict and vulnerability displayed by Lee. Even Jesus is exempt, due to virtually all accounts of him being later additions, invented decades, or sometimes centuries, after his death.
Always like to hear Matt's lectures. Lots of good information I had not heard before in this talk. Thanks!
These lectures lecturers are fantastic,an absolute joy to listen to.
I’ve enjoyed Matt Atkinson’s informative and entertaining presentations. Matt obviously likes his obsession with history. Those that don’t know history are destined to repeat it. Thanks Matt! Your cousin, Ross Atkinson.
So, where are you from?
Unfortunately you forgot the Fantastic Story of Lee kneeling in the church at Richmond after the war next to a black former slave, taking communion alongside him. A beautiful moment for interracial peace....Lee was what we don't have enough, a kind, wise .gentleman. Peace
Was a traitor! Period
@@angus4463 no he wasn’t. Notice there was no trial. That’s because he was not a trader.
@angus4463 what would you have done? Would you have given the order to fire upon your father? Your mother? Your own son?
Have you researched the Civil War?
@@drewbear17 of course he wasn't a trader. He was a general.
No. There was no trail purely be cause there were fears that a jury would rule secession legal. Since a Souther Sympathizer straight up murdered Lincoln and slashed the hell out of the Secretary of State, they were not to take a chance a Booth like minded juror would vote that they would give the Confederacy legitimacy. Which it never had. Plus, it would have made reunification more difficult. But it was NOT because he wasn't a traitor. They all were. If the Revolutionary war had been lost all of the founding fathers would have been shipped to London, dragged through the streets and hanged for treason as well.
Great Lecture! Thank You from a fellow, history-loving, retired ranger!
keep up the wonderful work!
”A nation which does not remember what it was yesterday, does not know where it is today!”
This chapter has never been forgotten.
Its pretty clear where we are today
You are supposed to learn about horrible shit like this so it doesnt happen again but conservatives like to use it as a guideline.
Or what they might become tomorrow.
@@jaredadams5748 you do realize the left is literally pushing for segregation again😳
Thank you Matt Atkinson for the fine lecture. I might not admire Lee but all NPR lectures are worthwhile.
I am a big Robert E. Lee fan, and this presentation makes me appreciate the man even more. Than you Ranger Atkinson.
Lee was a traitor
@@TM-vq1bf and a great general :)
@@TM-vq1bf and you're a chronic underachiever SJW. You'll never amount to shit
Slaver- and a terrible general- blew it at GETTYSBERG
Compare the caliber of men during that time with the clowns we have in politics today. It makes you weep.
Bad times create strong men, strong men create good times, good times create weak men, weak men create bad times.
This is anachronistic BULLSHIT. People are people. Leaders of people are people.
You mean the slave owners and the traitors?
INDEED.
Oh there were plenty of low caliber folks back then. Keep reading to learn more. There are some high caliber folks around now. The trick is to recognize, train, encourage & support those who are better & not just slam all politicians or other aspiring leaders.
What a fantastic, informative lecture. Thank you so much for this wonderfully evocative telling of Lee's later years. I enjoyed that so much tonight.
Myself as Well.
What a fantastic lecture and presentation, interesting and extremely informative, with some beautiful moments. Robert E Lee acted with great nobility and generosity in defeat towards the victors, a true gentleman of the State of Virginia, who did much to heal the wounds of civil war
Wonder if they are still giving this talk. Here in Dallas we have Lee park , has been then for one hundred years. There was a statue of Lee on Traveler. It is now gone , very sad this is our history both the good and bad.
Too many African American crybabies
Why do you want a statue of a traitor and loser?
Yes, do to our very crooked and stupid Politicians, these great reminders of our own History, both good and bad, are being removed just to please a very violent 1% !
It is lunacy to try and erase the great truths of History.
@@OO-nb2kt
LEARN THE HISTORY FIRST!
Then you "might" be able to offer intelligent comments!
@@OO-nb2kt it represents half the country
We have so much to be proud of in our Country...and so much to be hopeful for. We discover this by first respecting, then learning, from our history.
LOL- Proud of that job training program for the slaves?- haha
Atkinson is an amazing lecturer!....dude keeps it's engaging from start to finish.
Great lecture. Compassionate, informative, cultured and educated. Watched it many times. Thanks!
Six years old, and I'm so glad it's been preserved for us to view.
What a gift of story telling Matt Atkinson has. A congenial man. Lee would approve.
Thanks Matt another great lecture!
Wonderful lecture, there are many of us in Australia who admire R E Lee.
Too right
Remember the confederacy fought to preserve slavery while the men that fough on its side fought for their state (btw most common soldiers also fought to preserve slavery on the confederate side)
@@jonme225 BS read your history. Most Confederate Soldiers and Officers didnt own Slaves, and had no sympathy for those who did. Even Lincoln stated that he wouldnt interfere with Slavery when War broke out. Lincolns Emancipation Act later in the War, only applied to the Southern States. Are you aware that it was SLAVES who completed Washingtons White House Dome and extensions AFTER the Wars end ?
You shouldn't. Lee was a rich slaver owner who fought for his own wealth and social standing. His post war period is filled with stories about how "noble" he was, but he also put his name on a document that swore to the North that the South had come to terms with the Civil War and all the white people would never, ever think about abusing the former slaves. And that right there is what you really should know about Lee - He was either a fool who believed what everyone around him said, or a willful conman scrambling for his state's power while lying through his teeth.
@@ardshielcomplex8917 Read what the South wrote prior to and during the Civil War. They did it to keep owning people and to stay rich, and they rabble roused the non-slave owners by threatening race riots, a promise that abolition would devalue labor, and the promise of the poor one day owning slaves too.
John F. Kennedy Jr: "As a New englander, I recognize the south is still the land of Washington, who made our nation, of Jefferson who shaped its direction, and of Robert E. Lee who, after gallant failure urged those who had followed him in bravery to reunite America in purpose and courage."
President Eisenhower was questioned why the president of the united states and former Supreme commander of the allied forces of western Europe during World War 2 would have a photograph of General Robert E. Lee in his presidential office and he said this: "General Robert E. Lee was, in my estimation, one of the supremely gifted men produced by our Nation. He believed unswervingly in the Constitutional validity of his cause....through his many trials, he remained selfless almost to a fault and unfailing in his faith in God...he was noble as a leader and...unsullied as I read the pages of our history...a nation of men of Lee's caliber would be unconquerable in spirit and soul...such are the reasons I proudly display the picture of this great American on my office wall."
And once again for good measure, Winston Churchill: "Robert E. Lee is the greatest American who's ever lived. I hope every American can learn to be as brave and honorable as he was."
What if a civil war had not happened in Robert Lee's lifetime...would he have been a great American statesman...even President?
Im from Canada and enjoy very much reading about the civil war. I have a small statue of him on his horse. He was incredible. What bothers me is how it was allowed to disgrace him with spray can paint. He was a true icon of military mastery.
A great talk Matt. We were sorry that we missed you when we were at Gettysburg December 2014.
... you can say they were wrong, you can say that they lost, but you can’t say they were all bad or evil, and you can’t say they were undeserving of respect, empathy, and reunification ... I’ll always have the deepest respect and admiration for General Lee - not for everything he symbolized, but for everything he was ... he was an honorable man, and I will remember him as such ...
My family has been in Virginia for 200+ years, and I was born there . Lee and his cohorts were traitors and all should be put on trial. for the carnage and death they unleashed on this country to preserve the economic advantages of free labor. Slavery is a birth defect of this country’s founding that plagues us to this day. A lot of the constitutional flaws were added to insure the south would join the union, and we are still paying for it. I am particularly struck by how quick lee shifts to the forgive and forget mode. Using this model there would statues of hitler all over Germany, These people were creeps and no amount of time will change that . It’s not well known but a lot of southerners had no use for the confederacy, slavery or the war and were victims of geography. It’s amazing how doing the wrong thing can haunt you forever
Edwin Wise amen
Christopher Cochran he was a white supremacist
@Abel D Bunker
@CAT
Have either of y'all ever studied why he finally chose to fight against the North. How long he struggled with what to do because he was torn between the Union and his home country of Virginia? The reasons for his decision? You have both made it abundantly clear, the answers to my questions.
Very good points.
Awesome story and presentation. Thank you sir!
Great lecture I have listened to it 7 times Matt always brings interest to the topics on the war between the states
Matt Atkinson is hands down the best park ranger at Gettysburg. Good stuff!
He's damn good. He doesn't always get it right in my opinion but he certainly has a way of presenting a narrative.
Fantastic lecture. I can listen to this guy all day long. Thanks for posting this.
I have to say, that was absolutely fantastic. Such a great lecture delivered in that great befitting accent. Most enjoyable!
Thank you Ranger Matt for a very thorough lecture. I enjoy listening to these in my spare time while reading through Shelby Foote's three volume Civil War Narrative.
this is one of the greatest lecture's i have ever seen . our total gratitude for sharing.
Robert E . Lee ; " I am responsible ! "
Compare his statement with , " What difference does it make ? "
Exactly.
Donald Miller Donnie is still obsessed with Hillary Clinton
He just can't suit her !
Clinton never went to war against her own country
Clinton never had black slavery whipped
Clinton never invaded PA or MD
And captured 1000 black Americans and marched then South to be sold as slaves
When people call the Clinton's "corrupt" they seem to forget that the Clinton'sactually by choice live rather modestly
They own 2 homes one bought fir 1,5 million in NY
And one bought for 4.5 million in DC
Money is really not something that they have ever cared about
@jrjohnryanjr
What kind of toxic glue have you been sniffing to cause such widespread brain damage ?
@@jrjohnryanjr no, power
Nicely done, Matt Atkinson!
Very nice lecture. I would have liked to been fortunate enough to have met both General Grant and Lee, along with President Lincoln.
It's nice to hear a lecture that isn't filled with hate and propaganda. Well done.
copykon no but the comments are. Jesus
@CAT Where do you hang your poster of Che Guevara?
@CAT Pirate? Who taught you how to troll? My god, you even fail at that. Now you are boring me.
@CAT Ok Boomer =)
Great history lecture!
lee had a great skill of picking out the best people for the job . this added to his great record in the war . i think this skill of his is the best in our nation's history , his pure military skill was not all that bad . but had gaps which were filled by the people he picked to be around him . mind you the lost of these men hurt the range of lee late in the war . lee was a Washington with out french war aid
Lee was a phenomenal tactician, but a terrible strategist. He didn't really concern himself with logistics and what to do AFTER winning a battle and like Hannibal Barca before him, he learned that is no way to win a war. A quote from one of Hannibal's officers was "You know how to win victories, Hannibal, but you do not know what to do with them." The exact same can be said for Lee. Carthage was basically in a similar position to the Confederates. Fighting a military force of superior numbers, but largely poorly led (at the outset). Hannibal won battle after battle in Italy, but what did he actually achieve? He was no closer to submitting Rome. All the while in the west (not unlike the civil war) the Romans were winning with Scipio at the helm, just like in the West the union was winning with Grant at the helm. Then Scipio set his sights in the east at Carthage itself, just like Grant did so on Richmond. Hannibal and Lee then lost.
Thank you for the great Presentation, Mr Atkinson.
My GG Grandfather was in Co. G 42nd Miss. at
G-Burg- & captured at Falling Waters
Very good presentation, much appreciated! Robert E Lee has always been a personal hero. Whenever I am near DC, I make a special trip to Arlington House and admire its beauty.
NiteRider Band Arlington was turned into a graveyard to remind Bobby of his failure! He was a coward piece of shit!!
FSU Truckess Like the old saying says, everybody has an opinion.
I honor the man, and your personal vendetta against him, will always be stood up against and fought for. People like you, are just out of touch with honor and reality.
Yep, I guess you could call it that, but to him, it's more than an opinion...it's hatred!! I have a hard time dealing with his kind and his hatred, but I will NEVER give in to it or to those like him.
FSU Truckess - Hapless more like.
Arlington National Cemetery is a United States military cemetery and resting place of JFK & war dead.
You absolute piece of fucking shit.
a very well researched lecture, by a man passionate - and delightfully captured - by the subject. My compliments.
He mentions Ann and Mary without explaining who they are. Thank you for this interesting program !
Wow, just found this. Big Matt fan, and RE Lee ! Go to all his anniversary battlefield walks, Thank you for this. Lee was a great General and great human.
Great human - is your white sheet with you? meeting night?
The most fabulous lecture I have ever heard, thanks so much for the effort.
I love hearing the words of General Lee about being patient, especially during these times.
Mystery Surrounds Time Capsule Found Beneath Robert E. Lee Statue
Yes, he had to be patient. He was spared a hanging for treason.
@@jtfike🙄
Nice presentation Matt. It was quite informative. Hope to see you this summer.
Awesome...just AWESOME!!! That you to all the people whom keep history alive!!! God bless!!!
Bravo and thanks for this wonderful piece on the greatest military leader ever produced by this land. Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant and their contemporaries certainly sparked an interest in me as a school child and changed my life for the better long after they were dead and gone in physical person. Kevin J. Best, Capt. USMC (Ret.), U.S. Naval Academy, Class of 1985
Grant gets points for not being a traitor.
Grant beat the best.
@@MrChuck365 lol how is the he best if he lost? You poor delusional simpleton lol
@@OO-nb2kt
You're not helping. Your obnoxious screeds make the position you're championing weaker by association.
Learn to engage your fellow man with a sense of decorum or don't do so at all.
This is the best lecture ever. Bravo Matt and Gettysburg National Park. I’ve watched this twice all the way thru.
This was a wonderful lecture.
@Brad Watson uh oh buddy. Looks like you forgot to take your meds again. You've ridden long and far on the crazy train.
My grandma was a direct descendant of Robert E Lee was very cool seeing the family tree
that makes you a direct descendant as well
@george washington Robert E Lee's wife was the great grand daughter of George and Martha Washington as well.
GENERAL LEE SAID HE WOULD SACRIFICE EVERYTHING BUT HONOR. A true gentleman !
Woodie Thompspn honor? He broke a solemn oath he made asan officer to DEFEND the USA
Woodie Thompspn honor? He broke a solemn oath he made asan officer to DEFEND the USA
Woodie Thompspn when his rich father in law died he said he wanted his slaves freed, instead Lee decided to keep them all and had them whipped when they tried to escape
I do not consider that "honorable"
@@jrjohnryanjr I'm not familiar with that but of Information what is your source of it ? From I've read there were two that actually belo ged to his wife he freed them!
@@jrjohnryanjr he did defend it o. More than one occasion was in fact a hero . The story is anti deeper as I'm sure you k now , dont want to ad mit. He was no traitor
vvery interesting lecture. much of lee's humanity was displayed making him come more alive as a historical figure.
frankly, i'm surprised comments haven't been disabled.
@CAT you are obviously a troll
@CAT All Slaves he inherited from his father in law.
Lee’s humanity????????? Lol!!! Dude was a slave owner and even fought to own them hahahahahhaha mouth breather
Fantastic and interesting stuff. Really glad to have come across there; what a genial and knowledgeable chap Matt seems to be!
The firewood bomb story is legendary, thanks for sharing Ranger Atkinson
I enjoy this every time I watch it . Thank you .
"The War was a unnecessary condition of affairs and might of been avoided if forbearance and wisdom had been practiced on both sides." General Robert E. Lee
@TMWSITY You have no clue and are taking everything out of context. You're a fool.
@TMWSITY Not at all. He himself said that if every slave in America belonged to him, he would free them to prevent the war. Rather, he was advocating compromise, wisdom, and forbearance on *both* sides. Both sides agitated for war and stomped on the other side, and he clearly and rightly sees this as a mutual failure.
Robertz1986 The idiot wouldn’t understand.
@Chris Davis The US Constitution didn't forbid secession, nor had the courts ever interpreted to until years after the war. In fact, the Chief Justice even discouraged the war department from attempting to try the Confederates for treason, explaining that they would win and secession would essentially have to be declared legal. So no, the Confederates were not violating any law.
@TMWSITY He wasn't a radical abolitionist, he rather passively disapproved of slavery, and thought ending slavery was a much better alternative to civil war and the Union breaking apart. As for marrying into a slave owning family, what is the problem? Slavery had always existed, if you lived there at that time or pretty much anywhere before the 19th century,, you wouldn't have had a problem marrying into a slave owning family either.
Enjoying this lecture about my ancestor. My great-great grandmother, Ann Lee, is a descendant of Robert E. Lee. There is a church field trip planned for July 23, 2022 to Lexington, VA to visit the church from which our organ came. Not long before my grandmother passed away, she told me that we're related to John S. Mosby aka The Grey Ghost. Viewer from Roanoke, VA
Robert was a black man know the truth
@@israelitehistorychannel9833, ?? Explain??
@@timothyblack3322 come to my page and the video will explain
Big whoop.
Very cool!❤ I wish that I had been able to attend.
I am so impressed by this man and his attempt to explain history instead of re-writing it..also, his knowledge of Lee and his admiration of a Truly Great Southern Gentleman..
Great lecture - very engaging and full of little asides that I always find make history become more alive. Thank you for posting this lecture.
I've been to most of those places, but to stand there next to the General's desk as he left it that day was most moving of all, it was as if I might turn around and see him coming back in....
He wanted to own slaves. Stfu he was a horrible person.
@@GreenMaster1 Obviously, you know nothing about R.E. Lee. He never bought a slave in his life. He was anti-slavery.
gojobuddy Yes he did inheritate slaves but he still did fight a war to own them. And in a letter to his wife he said Slaves had a better life in america socially, physically than in africa. He also punished slaves that ran away. So stfu
Green Master They did have a better life here. And so do you. My father had to work twice as hard as I did, his father fought wars and worked twice as hard as my father did. We are all comfortable off of our ancestors backs.
Sometimes criminals would be sold so that they could no longer commit crimes. other slaves were obtained from kidnappings, or through raids that occurred at gunpoint from Africa and BRITAIN joint ventures along with other European nations. Slaves came in every color, not just black. Irish slaves were brought by the ship and sold over and over again. Get over it!
@@GreenMaster1 Yes, he did inheritate a few but certainly didn't have any with him, while he was away working for the Union. He was away so much in fact, that his wife had to take her children and go back and live with her family. His wife and mother-in-law were also anti slavery and used to teach them to read and write. His wife and Robert E. Lee even paid for some to return back Liberia. Then his wife conversed with them through letters. If you think Robert E Lee warred to keep slavery then you're obviously off your biffy. He decided to join the South because he was a Virginian first as well as his entire family and friends. He was not going to war them, end of story. It had absolutely nothing to do with slavery.
Many today would disparage this great man. I am not one of them.Great job, Ranger Matt....
As they should. The good deeds in life don't necessarily overwrite your largest one. This man led an army of traitors, as a traitor, to try to destroy the country in the name of slavery. over 300,000 union troops perished during the American civil war from the hands of traitors like Lee and the traitor soldiers who served under him.
Too many these days forget about the absolute turmoil and wreckage our country went through over 150 years ago because revisionists want to only focus on the good rather than the absolute horrors and cruelty of a band of traitors. Too many of the problems we face in the US are still directly related to our inaction to traitors such as Lee during the reconstruction era.
He was a racist slave owning traitor. I suspect you find that reprehensible behavior acceptable.
@@frizzykid100 The war only became about slavery when Lincoln realized many enlistments were up and he had an election coming up. The war was about states rights versus the role of the federal government in our lives, genius.
@@borninvincible Uh-huh. Washington owned slaves, too. Without him in the saddle you would be speaking with an effeminate (in your case) British accent.You're a different kind of man from Lee, that's for sure.
@@frizzykid100 Name one white person ANYWHERE in the US in 1861 that would be thrilled his White daughter was involved, sexually, with a Black man. I'll wait. While you're searching for that, name one in 1961. I'll wait. Let's move to today. Name one Black sister that is thrilled to see a Black man with a White girl. Waiting. Robert E. Lee was a God-like figure that loved his state more than his country.He led men into battle, something you could never do. Was Lincoln, the Great Emancipator, racist? There are several papers of his that disparage the intellectual capacity of Black people especially related to voting. You're a self-righteous turd that harbors his own racist secrets and you try to cover it by slamming others.
What a awesome lecture, my mom is from Mi my dad is from Panama 🇵🇦. I gre up in NC I recall watching North and South while my mom decorated the tree. I have Been a civil war addict since then grew up 45 Mims from New Bern. Nest lecture ever!
This is one of the best lectures I've ever heard.
Thank you for an enriching historical speech on Robert E Lee. I have heard some of the best historical lectures over the years from gentleman like this. National Park Rangers are 1st class.
Matt is a great lecturer. Love his videos.
Fantastic lecture! I’ve recently read empire of the summer moon by S. C. Gwynne and then as a result of his brilliant writing read hymns of the republic. Does anyone have any suggestions on other books on the same subject?
Gywnne's biography on Stonewall Jackson is excellent 'Rebel Yell.'