Hillsborough (NC) Recorder

July 3, 1861

Page 2

GENERAL LEE—The people of Virginia and of the South have great reason to congratulate themselves upon the possession of such a leader of their arms as Gen. Robert E. Lee. We have learned, with sincere gratification, that by none even of our own people is this distinguished son of the Old Dominion more highly appreciated than by the eminent statesman and soldier at the head of the Confederate Government. Gen. Lee, as a scientific military commander, is at least the equal of Gen. Scott, and considering the great advantage of having a younger man, having more of robust physical health, and being the champion of a better cause, we look upon him as his superior. Certain it is, in his best days, Winfield Scott considered Gen. Lee as his right arm, and we are inclined to think that in the Mexican war he was his brains also. When General Lee assumed the command of affairs here, every one knows that our military preparations were in a condition which it makes us shudder to look back upon. But he gave himself, head, heart and soul, to the great work, and so wisely, skillfully, and energetically has he used all the resources at his command, that the insolent enemy, notwithstanding his boasted numbers and important possession of the powerful fortress of Old Point, has been held at bay, and compelled to postpone his march of invasion till now we can set him at defiance. We point with honest pride to the position Virginia is now in for defence [sic], and claim that even Gen. Scott, with all his boasted military genius and experience, and all the vast resources of his section, has not proved himself as great and efficient a leader as the son of Light Horse Harry, the sagacious, intrepid and high-souled chieftain of Virginia.

--Richmond Dispatch--