| There were two "Lees" who enrolled at
West Point in 1825: Robert E. Lee of Virginia, and William R. Lee of
Massachusetts (they were distant relatives). Only the "Southern Lee"
graduated four years later with the Class of 1829. During the Civil
War, the "Northern Lee" (William R. Lee) won respect for his early
command of the famous "Harvard Regiment", but did not rise any
further in the ranks. Needless to say, his Southern namesake became
a household name and legend.
The two acquaintances nonetheless
did have much in common. Both of these bearded patricians were West
Pointers and Mexican War veterans, and both (in their fifties) were
criticized as being too old to command (in William R. Lee's case,
the charge had some validity). Both men also shared a great respect
for the valor of their opponents. They crossed paths in
1862.
During the intense fighting of the
Peninsula Campaign in May and June of 1862, the 20th Massachusetts
was engaged heavily, meeting the enemy on May 31, 1862 at the battle
known as "Fair Oaks" or "Seven Pines". Accounts of this battle show that the 20th Mass.
fought "Hampton's Legion", wounding and capturing General Pettigrew
and Lt. Col. Augustus Bull of the 35th Georgia.
Pettigrew survived, was exchanged and went on to greater fame at
Gettysburg. The gallant Lt. Col.
Bull died while in the custody of the 20th Massachusetts. Col.
William Lee sent Bull's sword back to his family and also wrote an
account of his death in a letter dated June 15, 1862. In response,
General Robert E. Lee sent a short but elegant letter
dated July 19, 1862.
ACCOUNTS OF
THE "SEVEN PINES-FAIR OAKS" ENGAGEMENT FROM 20th MASS.
PARTICIPANTS:
RELATED LINKS
|
