Personal Reminiscences, Anecdotes, and Letters of Gen. Robert E. Lee

Book excerpt: At the death of General Lee a memorial volume was announced, and this Committee was appointed to superintend the publication. Circumstances, for which neither the Committee nor the publishers were responsible, delayed and finally prevented the publication of that work. In the mean time, Rev. John William Jones had prepared this book to aid in the completion of Valentine's beautiful sepulchral monument to General Lee. Mr. Jones was a faithful chaplain in the army of General Lee, and, subsequently, while minister of the Baptist Church in Lexington, enjoyed in an unusual degree his favor and regard. During this period, and while acting at times as chaplain of Washington College, Mr. Jones had special opportunities to observe the character of General Lee, for whom he entertained an enthusiastic devotion. The Committee, knowing the peculiar qualifications which the author brings to this work, have afforded him the fullest access to the materials in their possession, and are happy now to commend to the public the completed volume as a valuable contribution toward a biography of Robert E. Lee. -- Committee of the Faculty of Washington and Lee University.