Remembering Lee 2011 with Dr. James I. Robertson Jr., “Lee and the Mobilization of Forces 1861”

[@stevestringer7351]

R.I.P. Dr. Robertson. What a great man. He has shared his passion for history with so many. Thank you sir.

[@kennethterry8196]

I Did not know He had passed. What a great man and his commentary on the Gods and Generals DVD and other documentaries were absolutely great and amazing.

[@tra-viskaiser8737]

I remember him most from the civil war journal on the history channel in the 90s.. along with william c davis. I hope wherever he is, he can visit the time he knew so much about.

[@Matt-sf9ky]

I took his class in 2001. He'd walk in without notes and speak like this for almost 90 minutes straight on every aspect of the war. It was spellbinding.

[@carolbell8008]

Matthew Israelson Hi, wow, how fortunate and cool!

[@JRobbySh]

Everyththing was in his mind, then. Yes, his full course must have been great to attend.

[@garyparker828]

Same... came out of Blacksburg after 4 years and his two classes were the the best and the ones I've carried with me far into adulthood.

[@JohnnyRebKy]

Finally someone who isn’t hell bent on bashing Lee and the south. Good to see a proud Virginian! I look forward to hearing more of his lectures

[@emilysmith9048]

too many people ARE NOT bashing the south, traitors 1 and all, and not 1 day or time has this country supported all the Americans the CSA armies murdered..💯🖕

[@jamesmiller5331]

@@emilysmith9048 yawn 🥱 They should not be glorified but at the same time they are not going to fit into your little tiny black-and-white Notions. I realize that a simpleton wants it to be simple though, so try to understand.

[@carywest9256]

​@@jamesmiller5331You are simply an ass!

[@OldSchool1947]

"Don't make the mistake of looking at the past through the lense of the present." This wonderful lecture presents the true character of a now much maligned American! Thank you, Dr. Robertson.

[@carolbell8008]

Wow! Dr. Robertson is a brilliant communicator! He brings this wonderful subject to life!

[@annonmuse9509]

I was sorry to learn of his passing on Nov. 2, 2019.

[@OldSchool1947]

We need Dr. Robertson NOW!

[@carywest9256]

​@@OldSchool1947At the end of his illustrious career he tended to go liberal. But l imagine that he was pressured by the University faculty for that. Read his two books on Gens. A.P. Hill and Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson. Hard to put both down, for they would leave you spellbound. Really both were page turners!

[@xpress144]

That was an amazing watch. Thank you!

[@mckinnhe]

Always enjoy reading and listening to Dr. Robertson. Very enjoyable lecture.

[@rapwedinger]

I took his Civil War history class at Virginia Tech in 1989. He is an awesome lecturer, very engaging. It was one of the best classes I ever took.

[@stevehalverson790]

I attended his Civil War history class at Va Tech in the late 1970’s. All these decades later, I can still recall details from his lectures. My memory is he was also a college football referee for the ACC conference- long before VaTech joined.

[@nickroberts6984]

I heard Dr Robertson speak at the Knoxville Civil War Roundtable, on the evening if 9/11/2001... W😮W, he was incredible ! His encyclopedic knowledge is now silenced, but we have his books forever ! 🇺🇸

[@MeadeSkeltonMusic]

PLEASE RETAIN THE NAME!

[@diankreczmer6595]

I am a progressive, whose father was born in the south in 1906..he had told me that in his generation, all boys born in the south were given the middle name of Lee to commemorate Robert e lee My father's ancestors fought in the civil war and the revolutionary war and were proud to do do. Rip robert e lee, sir.

[@carolbell8008]

dian kreczmer Hi, mine also❤️

[@JRobbySh]

My uncle’s name was Robert Lee.

[@arlonfoster9997]

I am descended from the Lightfoots of VA who married into the family of Light Horse Harry Lee, Robert E Lee’s father 😊

[@carolbell8008]

Lee lived a life of complete sacrifice, he was a very great man. Heart disease is internally crippling.Lee is awesome, so beautiful.I consider Lee to be a general of life. This lecture was excellent.

[@icetjeff5555]

One of the very best if not the absolute best Civil war historian. RIP good man.

[@stevestringer7351]

General Lee followed his heart and accepted his consequences.

[@DylanAFSCMEFlintMI]

Well in the trial of Jefferson Davis the prosecutor was basically trying to put it all on Jefferson Davis saying lee was following orders, lee dug in his heels and stated under oath " I am responsible for my actions"! Of course I am just paraphrasing.but with that statement he incriminated himself Under oath!!! That is taking responsibility for his actions I believe. Not many politicians or important men would do that these days I feel.

[@raymondbannert9974]

Most people felt loyalty towards their state rather than DC. They fought for their state.

[@H0kieJoe]

@bob OK, ignoramus.

[@raymondbannert9974]

@bob , maybe consider the times. If Lee had been taken to Prison the war would have continued.

[@hisxmark]

The only justification to a warrior is the cause for which he fights.

[@WarrenMills-pc1gt]

On Day 1 of his VT class, that I took in 1979, the professor (RIP) declared, “This was a war caused by extremists that should never have been fought”. But clear also that, in his mind, the chief author of aggression was Abraham Lincoln with his “invasion” of the South. So it is with his gloss on the memory of the tragic R E Lee. Robertson was a formidable adherent of the revisionist “Lost Cause” school that molded Civil War history for a century or more, far before “wokesters”. By giving Lee’s betrayal of his uniform the cover of Socratic wisdom: “Better that one suffers evil than commit it” his feelings or RE Lee’s?), Robertson reveals all you need to know about his bias. It is so gratifying to see U.S. Grant reinstated to his once great historical position he occupied in the 19th century, and the proper context applied to R E Lee as the tragic Shakespearean character defending the Southern planter class’ societal views including slavery- not just his state’s. Lee’s own words, letters, and actions to that effect that have come to light, have balanced the historical record with his noted traits of valor, loyalty and honor. And too, the flawed rationalizing of Lee’s betrayal of his uniform and country will always be undone by the contrary actions many other Virginia officers took, in 1861, from Winfield Scott to David Farragut to George Thomas, to remain loyal to the Union blue. Gen. Scott’s pain from Lee’s betrayal presaged Grant’s later words: “They fought nobly for a cause, though that cause be one of the worst for which men ever fought “

[@mwduck]

"The great mistake of my life was taking a military education." Pres. Robert E. Lee, Washington College.

[@Mkundera]

Very interesting lecture.

[@JRobbySh]

Robertson reminds us of a very, ver important fact: that Lee was suffering from heart failure from the spring of 1863 onwards. The poor health of Lee along with the death of Jackson determined much of what happened at GETTYSBURG, Grant later wrote that Lee was to old to be in the field. He was certainly too ill to be as effective as he might have been.. Only his underlying physical strength allowed him to recover sufficiently to retain his command for the remain 2o months of the war. One of the crucial points of the war was at the North Anna, when Lee was confined to his cot at the crucial moment. when the Federal Army statled the river and Lee could rely on no one else to spring the trap he had laid for Grant. If a disaster had befallen Grant at that point rather than at Cold Harbor, who knows what the Northern public have said about the war.

[@italadamwest]

God bless Dr Robertson and God Bless Gen Lee.

[@jasonpearre7416]

Stonewall Jackson the man the legend READ THIS BOOK

[@cor-z8m]

Sad that a country so courageously created couldn’t solve issues without a civil war that resulted in so so many deaths. Against war of any kind.

[@carlosmedina1281]

Its cuz the Southern plantation owners just couldn't stand the thought of not being able to own human beings

[@roccosantanelli2802]

@@carlosmedina1281 you also got to remember, as wrong as it is - they paid $$ for them. I know it’s immoral by todays standards but you got to know the times. They were all raised to believe blacks were an inferior race, like we used horses and cows for many generations. Don’t get me wrong I’m not sticking up for the south but I understand the times.

[@arlonfoster9997]

@@carlosmedina1281 it was more than just that.

[@robertferguson533]

Excellent

[@richardflintii2583]

Lee had a major deficiency in that he could not recognize when the war was lost, so he continued on killing people on both sides.

[@jeepers251]

God bless Robert E. Lee

[@WarrenMills-pc1gt]

“Better to suffer evil than commit it”. Were these RE Lee’s sentiments or Robertson’s (RIP)? If you took the professor’s course at VT as I did, you would have known on Day 1. He made his biases known as an inheritor of the Southern Lost Cause tradition: “Extremists on both sides made an unnecessary war possible” he declared. And it was Abe Lincoln’s abrupt “invasion” of the South which fulfilled it, in his eyes. So it is with his continued romanticization of the tragic RE Lee, and the obscuring of Lee’s defense of Southern planter class interests and slavery - resisted in many counties throughout the South and particularly what came to be in 1861, West Virginia. The new scholarship has featured Lee’s own words, letters, actions to that effect. But a glossing over of Lee’s betrayal to his nation’s uniform will always be undone by the actions of other loyal sons of Virginia from his commander Winfield Scott to David Farragut and George Thomas who stayed loyal to the Union on 1861. Thankfully, the honor and service of US Grant has been restored to its traditional place, tarnished by the same deifiers of RE Lee, who sums up best those who served the Confederate cause: “They fought nobly for a cause, though that cause was one of the worst for which men have ever fought “.

[@raymondbannert9974]

Great lecture!

[@johncollins7062]

Even marginal movies can have enlightening scenes. Perhaps you should review the first few scenes of the movie 'The Undefeated'. In the opening, Royal Dano makes a very succinct summary of why butternuts were fighting and it had nothing to do with slavery.

[@tedosmond413]

"better to suffer evil than commit it'...and then joins a government committed to the preservation, enhancement and expansion of chattel slavery...yeah, ok...

[@davidyoung2558]

Amen

[@mwduck]

A prime example of overcoming an inpediment.

[@catherinekelly532]

Requiescat in Pace Professor

[@tedosmond413]

47:00 so when Lee was leading troops in the Mexican-American War and these troops were killing and dying, who did he think they were killing and dying for? Virginia?

[@carywest9256]

Apparently you didn't understand that Lee was a staff officer. He DID NOT lead troops in battle. COMPRENDE? That's Spanish for comprehend. Tu sabe? You know?

[@tedosmond413]

@@carywest9256 You need to work on your Spanish. And your history. Your knowledge of both is quite limited.

[@mikedesil23]

God Bless Dixie

[@mikedesil23]

@bob you're ignorant; my love for history and my Confederate ancestors has no correlation to scumbag racists trying to deny people from the liberties we're all entitled to. Kindest regards

[@roccosantanelli2802]

I think robert wasn’t a traitor mainly because when I served in the military, I was very proud to be from NY. And quiet honestly I never could have fought against my home state. If they were fighting to keep slavery an institution I think would be the only reason I might do it. (Fight against my home state) but back in those days with the firm belief that blacks were inferior in the South, I don’t know how i would react. Slavery was disgusting. And should have been abolished. But I wasn’t raised that way. But I don’t think Lee was a traitor

[@carolbell8008]

Nor do I!

[@roccosantanelli2802]

@@carolbell8008 yea He wasn’t a traitor but should have maybe resigned but he was considered a hero back then. He would have been considered a coward. He didn’t have too much of a choice

[@carolbell8008]

@@roccosantanelli2802 His dad had been a principal warrior together with Washington and Jefferson to fight against England to make the USA, quite an accomplishment and something to live up to as well. We , in this time period just cannot judge this great man with any truth.

[@carolbell8008]

Or real understanding!

[@mwduck]

Article 3 of the US Constitution states: Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. Lucky for Lee the radicals didn't prosecute him.

[@100texan2]

Northerners still don’t understand loyalty to family and community.

[@revanofkorriban1505]

Absurd nonsense. At least the North cared more than the South about bloody human rights.

[@ИринаКим-ъ5ч]

Clark Matthew Robinson Christopher Brown Cynthia

[@arlonfoster9997]

I feel like R.E. Lee was asked to be commander in chief of Virginia’s forces similar to George Washington another Virginian being asked to become commander in chief of the U.S. colonial forces during the revolution 😊

[@appnzllr]

It is disingenuous to say that Washington might have made the same choice as RELee did. That's the implication made by his answer to one of the questions Dr. Robertson fielded. "I don't know what Washington would have done." Washington fought for the nation for untold years, and during his presidency he emphasized the unity of the states and the authority of the Federal government. He may have been surprised at the current state of our nation, but he would not have sided with those who were in favor of secession. He was an ardent federalists before, during, and after the Revolution..

[@stephensdygert7600]

Washinton did make the same choice. He took up arms against his government, like Lee did. Both traitors. Washington was in the British army in the French/Indian war. Romans chapter 13 is very clear about servile insurrection, and vilolent revolution. Its always wrong, regardless of the outcome. Because God's longsuffering, he honors the new government. If a citizen disagrees with their government, civil disobedience always is the way. R.E. Lee was a traitor, he shouldn't be honerd for sin.

[@H0kieJoe]

@@stephensdygert7600 Your ignorance of history is noted.

[@stephensdygert7600]

@@H0kieJoe Great example of your reprobate mind, is noted. A evil man seeketh only rebellion; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him. Proverbs 17:11 (kjv) Your pride blinds you.

[@JRobbySh]

Secessionism came about because the South had lost the House and was about to lose the Senate. Further it had no faith in Douglas, the leading Democrat. Had the Democrats nominated Douglas in 1860, the war would; not have come in 1861. But probably JOHN BROWN’S RAID tipped the scales to secession.

[@carolbell8008]

True, he was also against taxation without representation, and tyranny.

[@brbadge]

The question remains.Why can't you stop "celebrating" the lost cause?

[@willoutlaw4971]

Here we go again with excuses for Lee's failures: Lee suffered a major undiagnosed heart attack in March of 1863. Add this excuse to: Lee had diarrhea. Lee could not see through battle smoke. Lee had no experience commanding troops in battle. Traveler, Lee's horse, was fresh out of horse shoes, hay, and oats.

[@stevestringer7351]

Blah, blah, blah

[@earlofbroadst]

Secession was neither rebellion nor treason. It was a constitutionally protected right that had been recognized since the founding of the Union. www.abbevilleinstitute.org/blog/was-secession-treason/

[@revanofkorriban1505]

@@earlofbroadst The Abbeville Institute is a neoconfederate bunch of clowns. They are not a reliable source.

[@roccosantanelli2802]

Lee was the best General in the civil war. I’m from the North (New York) and proud we ended slavery, but make no mistake about it, he was the best General in that war!! He didn’t have the manpower or the resources to win that war or I hate to say he would have succeeded to make the USA two separate nations today. (North and South) who knows if they ever would have combined to become one nation again.

[@williamstocker584]

Keep whining

[@tedosmond413]

Kind of pathetic to see an adult man like Robertson be a grovelling sycophant.

[@robertferguson533]

Did you even hear one single word that he said ?

[@robertortiz-wilson1588]

Please don't be over the top.

[@stephensdygert7600]

When will people stop honoring traitors. Romans chapter 13 and many other scriptures teach servile insurrection and revolution is wrong(sin) regardless of the outcome.

[@alswann2702]

Dickbreath.

[@stephensdygert7600]

@@alswann2702 An evil man seeketh only rebellion; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him. Proverbs 17:11(kjv)

[@earlofbroadst]

Secession was neither rebellion nor treason. It was a constitutionally protected right that had been recognized since the founding of the Union. www.abbevilleinstitute.org/blog/was-secession-treason/

[@stephensdygert7600]

@@earlofbroadst Go read Romans chapter 13. God's word teaches revolution and servile insurrection is always sin(wrong)

[@earlofbroadst]

@@stephensdygert7600 Secession was neither revolution nor servile insurrection. It was and is a Constitutionally protected right that had been recognized since the founding of the Union. Read the Tenth Amendment and the article in the link above. The voluntary nature of the Union allowed States to leave if they wished, just like countries who are in the European Union may leave if they so wish. That is not rebellion or revolution. It is the dissolution of a political agreement between equal parties. Romans 13 is not a blank cheque to tyrants. People like you who misuse Holy Scripture are worse than those who do not read it - Satan being Exhibit A. I suggest you research The Doctrine of the Lesser Magistrates.

[@appnzllr]

Stop romanticizing Lee!

[@Mkundera]

Ok, you don't like Lee. We get it. You have no idea what Washington would have done, what hubris.

[@mikedesil23]

No

[@carolbell8008]

Gary Appenzeller hi, I’m hate to say but no one else alive is fit to clean his shoes

[@revanofkorriban1505]

This guy was a historical consultant for the neoconfederate dumpsterfire Gods and Generals. That explains a lot.

[@tedosmond413]

Just another pathetic CSA Apologists. Lots of BS. Most army officers of similar rank from Virginia stayed with US Army.

[@roccosantanelli2802]

One! Who of the same rank besides Johnson?

[@tedosmond413]

@@roccosantanelli2802 there were 8 officers and graduates of West Point from Virginia of approximately equivalent rank to Lee. 7 honored their oath and stayed loyal to the USA. Only Lee of the 8 renounced his oath and joined the CSA.

[@roccosantanelli2802]

@@tedosmond413 there were 8 officers! Not 8 Generals!!! There was only one General. (that I know of) - Johnson I believe. What other generals serving for the North were Southerners???

[@tedosmond413]

@@roccosantanelli2802 go to Wikipedia and the page "Virginia in the American Civil War". It is right there. Took less than 5 minutes to find. I would include the link directly but youtube deletes links. And this is only Virginia.

[@tedosmond413]

@@roccosantanelli2802 "The man who offered Lee command of the U.S. army in 1861 was another Virginian by the name of Winfield Scott. Scott, whose military career stretched back to the War of 1812-including a failed presidential bid in 1852-was the highest-ranking general at the beginning of the war. Scott’s decision was no less difficult than Lee’s and yet he remained loyal and although too old to take command in the field, he helped formulate military policy that ultimately proved successful in subduing the rebellion. General George Henry Thomas, also from Virginia, became one of the most successful generals in the war and saved the Union army from being completely routed on September 19, 1863, earning him the nickname the “Rock of Chickamauga.” His loyalty to the nation cost him his family, who refused to speak with him ever again and even turned his picture against the wall."

[@danarose6314]

Lee the traitor