by Brandon Dorsey

Robert Edward Lee was born January 19, 1807 to Revolutionary War hero Henry *Light Horse Harry* Lee and Anne Carter Lee at Stratford Hall.  He was an exemplary youth who later graduated second in his class from West Point without receiving a single demerit.  On June 30, 1831, at Arlington, Lee married Mary Ann Randolph Custis, the great granddaughter of Martha and George Washington.  Lee served in the U.S. Army for nearly 32 years and was offered the command of the Union Army at the outset of the War Between the States, but would chose to link his fate to his native State.  Lee would command the famed Army of Northern Virginia, leading it to many victories until succumbing to bitter defeat.  Following the collapse of the Confederacy, Robert E. Lee became the president of Washington College where he strove to instruct its youth by his example and devotion to God.  Robert E. Lee died on October 12, 1870 and lies at rest in Lee Chapel.

Thomas Johnathan ‘Stonewall’ Jackson was born January 21, 1824 in Clarksburg [West] Virginia.  His father and mother passed away while he was young which devastated him.  His mother’s dying plea to him was that he become a good Christian.  Jackson was able to attend West Point almost by divine intervention when another cadet dropped out.  Jackson participated in the Mexican War and later came to Lexington as a professor at VMI in 1851 where he fell in love with his first wife Elinor Junkin only to endure her death in childbirth which devastated him.  It was during this period that his Christian faith and reliance on God no matter what the circumstances developed which gave him the assurance that he was as safe on a battlefield as in bed if he remained in God’s will.  Jackson died on May 10, 1864 following his accidental wounding during his greatest battle, Chancellorsville.  He was survived by his second wife Mary Anna [Morrison] Jackson and an infant daughter named Julia.

The most important factor in the lives of Lee and Jackson was their Christian faith as the hope for mankind.  Both men were great warriors, but they realized that war was the result of human sin.  Jesus Christ changed these men and He can change you.  This life is just an opportunity to make change for either good or ill.  Jesus first taught us to live, then He died upon the cross of Calvary to pay for the sins of everyone who will recognize their evil nature, ask His forgiveness, and from then on seek to serve him in truth and righteous living. Through Christ you will begin to understand the greatness of their character and why they stood against tyranny to defend their God-given rights in the face of overwhelming opposition.  These men are not to be worshipped, but to be admired in the light of their savior.